1982 – The Salvador Dalí Museum first opened its doors in St. Petersburg on this date. The museum features the largest collection of Spanish surrealist Salvador Dalí’s artwork in North America. The pieces were collected by A. Reynolds Morse and Eleanor R. Morse who began a long term relationship with the artist in 1942. The Morses originally opened a museum in their hometown of Beachwood Ohio, but later decided to purchase a marine warehouse in St. Petersburg to house their entire collection of Dalí artwork, which is approximately 1500 pieces. The original museum was replaced in 2011 by a new building in downtown St. Petersburg designed by the HOK firm featuring a large unique glass skylight and entryway.