HOWLAND — It was supposed to be a celebration — a reception with Boy Scout dignitaries, an invitation-only party for potential donors, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and an opening day expected to pack the Medici Museum of Art.

Directives from Gov. Mike DeWine due to the COVID-19 pandemic derailed those plans in March, but the former Trumbull branch of the Butler Institute of American Art now is letting the public get a glimpse of the 65 Norman Rockwell paintings that are part of the Boy Scouts of America collection.

The museum is allowing tours by appointment only for groups of 10 people or fewer to stay within the existing guidelines for any public gatherings. While rules have been issued for how different types of businesses can operate, none have addressed museums.

“It seems we would not be in violation of anything, having people contact us in advance and coming in by appointment,” said John Anderson, one of the directors of Foundation Medici, which operates the gallery. “We control the time, we control the number of people.”

In the gallery, it would be easy for 10 people to follow social-distancing guidelines.

Tom Hazen, Medici manager said, “No one touches anything. It’s a wide-open space.”

Those interested in scheduling an appointment can call the gallery at 330-856-2120 during regular business hours, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Visits are scheduled in one-hour blocks, so the last visit of the day can be scheduled for 3 p.m.

Jim and Waneta Holt of Newton Falls toured Medici on Thursday, asking Hazen questions about the Rockwells as they studied his paintings and the works of others artists from the BSA collection that are a part of “The Rockwell American Scouting Art Collection.”

“I think it’s terrific,” Waneta Holt said. “It’s much more than what I expected.”

She particularly liked the paintings that juxtaposed Scouts with historical figures, such as two large paintings that include images of George Washington.

Jim Holt said the paintings reminded him of his years as a Boy Scout.

While the viral outbreak has disrupted many of the plans inside the museum, it hasn’t slowed a planned expansion of the building that includes secure storage space, a new classroom, additional work rooms and expanded gallery and retail spaces.

“It was a pretty mild winter,” Anderson said. “Spring, while it brings rain, has had no other negative impact (on construction).”

agray@tribtoday.com