Robert Henri's Story

Robert Henry Cozad was born to Theresa and John Cozad in Spence's Station, which later became Cozaddale, Ohio. John founded the town of Cozaddale in 1871. Between 1872 and 1873 John founded and settled in Cozad, Nebraska.

In their youth, Henri and his brother John Jr. only lived in Cozad during the summers and attended the Chickering Classical and Scientific Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The family lived in Cozad for ten years until Robert's father shot and killed a local rancher allegedly in self-defense, in a dispute over money owed rancher and cattle owned by the rancher straying on land claimed by his family. Fearing for his life, John J. Cozad left town the night of the shooting.  John Jr. was already in Colorado conducting family hay business and Robert and Theresa remained in Cozad long enough to sell the family home. 

The Cozad family reconnected, moved to New York City, followed by Atlantic City and then New Jersey. Due to the altercation Henri was forced to change his name from Robert Henry Cozad to Robert Earle (the middle name was later dropped) Henri (pronounced Hen-rye).

Through the years Henri studied at several institutions and become a renowned artist and art teacher. His influence on art in America has changed the way some look at what art is. This museum is where it can be appreciated by all.