Barnes will open on the Parkway on May 19, 2012

The Barnes Foundation museum on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will officially open May 19 next year, becoming only the second home for the remarkable collection of Impressionist and early modernist art in the foundation's 89 year history, Barnes officials announced at a Parkway press conference Thursday.

The opening will be followed by 10 days of special visits to the new building and gardens, concluding with 60 hours of free, round-the-clock open access to the public on the weekend of May 26, 27 and 28, officials said.

Designed by Tod Williams & Billie Tsien Architects of New York, the $150 million Parkway facility, located between 20th and 21st Streets, will also serve as home to the foundation's well-known educational program.

The original Merion facility, designed by Paul Crét, will continue to function as home for the foundation's aboretum and related programs. The foundation's archives and conservation work will also be located there.

The art galleries in Merion closed on July 3 in preparation for relocation to Philadelphia.

Barnes officials also announced that PNC and Comcast will support a variety of activities during the first year on the Parkway. Derek A. Gillman, Barnes executive director and president, called the support "immensely generous," but declined to say just how immense.

Overall fundraising for the Parkway construction project and an endowment surpassed the $200 million mark this summer.

Gillman said Comcast was particularly interested in supporting "broad public access" to the museum. PNC, he said, is interested in creating new educational programs for very young children.

"The idea for early childhood is new for us, but we're embracing it enthusiastically," Gillman said.

Bill Mills, PNC regional president for Philadelphia and South Jersey, said PNC is working with the Barnes to create "an early art education program" that he believed "can become a national model."

The foundation also unveiled a newly redesigned website Thursday - www.barnesfoundation.org - which will allow Internet visitors to determine ticket availability at any time and also provide greater virtual access to the foundation's renowned collection of works by Renoir, Matisse, Cezanne and other giants of modern art.

Contact culture writer Stephan Salisbury at 215-854-5594, ssalisbury@phillynews.com, or @SPSalisbury on Twitter