Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum opens to the public

The first visitors were ushered in after a ribbon-cutting attended by Mayor Thomas Menino and cultural leaders, artists, and Gardner supporters.

BOSTON, MA., 01/19/ 2012: In the front line by the lobby , Christopher Gorton (cq coat over his hand ) and his wife Cynthia Gorton ( cq with glasses ) from Boston wait to enter the museum. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum public opening and ribbon cutting for the new wing and old. ( David L Ryan / Globe Staff Photo ) SECTION: LIFESTYLE TOPIC :20Gardner REPORTER

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

Gardner Museum visitors waited in line to enter during today's public opening introducing the new wing.

BOSTON, MA., 01/19/ 2012: Vivian Monaco (cq) sits in the Tapestry Room which was restored has been coming to the museum since the 1960's . Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum public opening and ribbon cutting for the new wing and old. ( David L Ryan / Globe Staff Photo ) SECTION: LIFESTYLE TOPIC 20Gardner REPORTER

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

Visitor Vivian Monaco sat in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum's refurbished Tapestry Room today.

BOSTON, MA., 01/19/ 2012: L-R Mayor of Boston, Thomas Menino, Anne Hawley, Norma Jean Calderwood Director of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Barbara Hostetter President of the Board and Bill Egan cut the ribbon for the public opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new wing and old. ( David L Ryan / Globe Staff Photo ) SECTION: LIFESTYLE TOPIC :20Gardner REPORTER

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

Mayor Thomas M. Menino, Gardner Museum Director Anne Hawley, board president Barbara Hostetter, and trustee Bill Egan cut a ceremonial ribbon.

BOSTON, MA., 01/19/ 2012: Below in the Music Hall, Anne Hawley, Norma Jean Calderwood Director of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum speaks at the public opening and ribbon cutting for the new wing and old. ( David L Ryan / Globe Staff Photo ) SECTION: LIFESTYLE TOPIC :20Gardner REPORTER

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

A look from one of the three balconies at the ceremonies in the new concert hall.

BOSTON, MA., 01/19/ 2012: In the Music Hall, Anne Hawley, Norma Jean Calderwood Director of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum gives Rossanna Lizama-Soto from Roslindale a free lifetime membership to the museum for being first in line at the public opening and ribbon cutting for the new wing and old. ( David L Ryan / Globe Staff Photo ) SECTION: LIFESTYLE TOPIC :20Gardner REPORTER

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

Anne Hawley gave Rossanna Lizama-Soto of Roslindale a free lifetime membership to the museum for being first in line at the public opening.

BOSTON, MA., 01/19/ 2012: Berklee Gospel Choir sings in the courtyard. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum public opening and ribbon cutting for the new wing and old. ( David L Ryan / Globe Staff Photo ) SECTION: LIFESTYLE TOPIC :20Gardner REPORTER

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

The Berklee Gospel Choir sang in the courtyard during the public opening.

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BOSTON, MA. 12/ 09/ 2011: The central stairway at The Gardner Museum's new wing. ( David L Ryan / Globe Staff Photo ) SECTION :ARTS TOPIC :GARDNERMUSEUM REPORTER

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum opens to the public
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Tim Tebow fans are too sensitive to criticism

Scot Lehigh

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Scott Brown’s crass warfare

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Dan Shaughnessy

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Alex Beam

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Metro

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Two common dolphins are prepared to be released by a team from the International Fund for Animal Welfare into Cape Cod Bay in Herring Cove Beach, in this January 16, 2012 handout supplied to Reuters January 17, 2012. U.S. animal welfare advocates are perplexed by dozens of dolphins swimming onto land along the scenic Cape Cod shores south of Boston beginning late last week, one of the largest cases of dolphins stranding themselves in years. REUTERS/M.Booth/IFAW/Handout (UNITED STATES - Tags: ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY) NO SALES. NO ARCHIVES. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

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Nation & World

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Cruise liner’s captain claims he fell overboard

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Politics

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Business

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Mass. jobless rate falls to 6.8%; lowest in three years

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Sports

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Once a part-time player limited to special teams, Rob Ninkovich now contributes in many ways, according to his coach.

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Style

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Arts

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G FORCE

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Opinion

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Ideas

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