Perkins Center for the Arts facts for kids
Perkins Center for the Arts is a special place for art in southern New Jersey. It has been helping people enjoy art since 1977. The main center is in Moorestown, New Jersey, inside a beautiful old house built in 1910. It also has a second spot in Collingswood, New Jersey. Perkins Center offers many art programs for everyone. They want to help people learn about art and share ideas. The New Jersey State Council on the Arts has even called it a "Major Presenting Organization."
Contents
The Story of Perkins Center
How the Art Center Began
The land where Perkins Center stands today was once a plant nursery. This nursery, called Fairview Nurseries, started way back in 1815. It was known for growing pretty trees. Some of the old trees you see there now might be from that time!
The main house was built in 1910. It was a wedding gift for Dudley and Alice Perkins. A famous architect named Herbert C. Wise designed it. The family called their new home Evergreen Lawn. It looks like an old English manor house. You can even see "D&AP 1910" carved on the front porch. This stands for Dudley and Alice Perkins and the year the house was built.
Around 1930, a carriage house was added. This building held cars downstairs and an apartment upstairs. At the same time, a porch on the main house was turned into a sleeping porch.
A Family's Legacy and a Community's Gift
Sadly, Dudley Perkins passed away in 1918. He died during the big flu epidemic that happened after World War I. Alice Perkins then invited her sister, Mabel D'Olier, and Mabel's husband, Francis, to live with her.
After Alice and Francis passed away, Mabel D'Olier was the only one living in the house. She bought the house from the family. When Mabel passed away, she gave the property to Moorestown Township. She wanted it to be used as a park or for other community purposes forever. Mabel also said that the open grassy area near the house should always stay open. She wanted it to be called "Perkins Lawn."
Saving the Historic Home
In the early 1970s, the town thought about selling or tearing down the old house. But a group of people from Moorestown wanted to save it! They worked hard to get the buildings listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places in 1975.
Thanks to these community efforts, the town decided to keep the building. They wanted it to be a self-supporting arts center. That's how Perkins Center for the Arts was created! It officially became a non-profit arts center in 1977. It serves people in Moorestown and all of southern New Jersey.
The rest of the property also became an "Open Space." In 1981, the 5.5-acre property was even named an Arboretum. This means it's a special place for trees and plants. Perkins Center keeps running thanks to community support and donations.
Perkins Center in Collingswood
In 2002, Perkins Center opened a second location. This new spot is in Collingswood, New Jersey. It helped them reach more people and offer more programs. They also started helping with art projects in Camden, New Jersey. Plans are being made to make the Collingswood building even better. They want to create new art studios and classrooms there.
Fun Programs at Perkins
Perkins Center offers many exciting programs for all ages. Here are some of them:
- Art Classes: You can take classes in drawing, painting, music, and more!
- Art Shows: They have exhibits that show off amazing art from new and famous artists.
- Music School: You can learn to play an instrument or sing in a group.
- Concerts: Enjoy classical music concerts for families or folk and modern music shows.
- Artist Visits: Professional artists visit schools to teach students about different art forms.
- Summer Art Camp: Kids from different towns come together to create art and have fun.
- After-School Programs: Special art programs for young people who need extra support.
- Community Art: They help create murals and community gardens in Camden, New Jersey.
- Folklife Center: This center helps share and celebrate the traditions of different groups in the area.
