The Firehouse Gallery
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The Firehouse Gallery was originally built as the Ethan Allen Firehouse on Church Street, Burlington, Vermont in 1889. In 1927 the Burlington Police Department took over the building for 40 years. It is now owned by the non-profit City Arts Association.
This five story building represents a work of art. The arts are big business, and Burlington has a large arts community. Renovating the old building into a city-owned five story art gallery opened a world of possibilities to artists and art lovers. It is expected to include classrooms, a community darkroom and eventually, a library, a lecture hall and space for an artist-in-residence to mentor budding sculptors, painters and photographers.
The Art Gallery has been restored to its 19th century design. Even the original bell was returned to the very top of the old firehouse. The firehouse project was dealt a blow when serious structural damage was discovered and added a million dollars to the cost. This is a $3.5 million project.
The restoration project was supposed to cost $900,000. Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy helped secure five-hundred thousand dollars in federal funds, under the Save America's Treasures grant program. Burlington City Arts operates the building and upgraded the building to use it for exhibits, lectures, and educational programs. Construction costs and the amount of time to renovate the building went up when major structural problems were found in the former firehouse.
