The BCA Center facts for kids
Front of The BCA Center. The inscription pays tribute to its history as the Ethan Allen Firehouse.
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| Established | 1995 |
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| Location | 135 Church Street Burlington, Vermont |
| Type | Contemporary arts center |
| Owner | Burlington City Arts |
Burlington City Arts (BCA) is a fun place in Burlington, Vermont. It's an art gallery, a place for art classes, and a spot for cultural events. The building where BCA is located used to be a fire station! It was built way back in 1889. The City of Burlington owns the building. BCA uses it to show art, host talks, and run cool art programs. The gallery first opened its doors in 1995.
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The Story of the BCA Center
The building that is now The BCA Center has a long and interesting history. It's a very old building in downtown Burlington. A local architect named A.B. Fisher designed it. It was finished in 1889. For many years, it was home to the Ethan Allen Engine Company No. 4. This was one of Burlington's volunteer fire departments. Volunteer firefighters are people who help put out fires without getting paid.
In 1927, the building became a police station. Later, in 1967, it was empty and started to fall apart.
Saving the Old Firehouse
By 1973, there were plans to tear the building down. But many people in the community wanted to save it. So, the city leaders, called Aldermen, decided to stop the demolition. They also gave money to fix it up.
Over the years, different groups used the space. Even the offices of a U.S. Senator named Patrick Leahy were there for a while. The University of Vermont also used part of the building.
In 1995, Burlington City Arts (BCA) started thinking about creating an arts center. The Firehouse Gallery moved into part of the ground floor. Soon, the old Ethan Allen Firehouse was chosen to become the main arts center.
Making It New Again
In 1999, the City Council voted to turn the firehouse into a full arts center. BCA hired an architect to plan the changes. Construction began in the spring of 2001.
A Big Surprise During Renovation
After a few months, work had to stop. A large crack appeared on one of the walls. The building even sank about 4 inches! Workers had to do a lot of work to make the building stable again. Once it was safe, construction started up once more.
The Bell Comes Home
During the renovation, something special happened. The Shelburne Museum had the original bell from the firehouse tower. They wanted to give it back! The tower had been damaged by water over the years. So, it needed a lot of repair and new engineering. People also helped raise money for the work. On September 12, 2002, the bell was lifted back into its home.
The BCA Center officially opened to the public in 2002. It now has many cool features. There's a darkroom for photography and a studio. There's also a studio for artists who live and work there for a time. A special room is used for talks, movies, and discussions. Plus, there's a Resource Room and Library with public meeting space and Internet access.
What You Can See at The BCA Center
The BCA Center has many exciting art exhibitions. They show high-quality artwork. They also host discussions and art activities related to the exhibits. Their goal is to help people enjoy and understand modern art. They want to do this even though Burlington is not a huge city.
See also
