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 special place in Burlington, Vermont. It's an art gallery where you can see amazing artwork. It's also a place for art classes and workshops.
BCA hosts many fun cultural events too. The building itself has a cool history. It was built way back in 1889 as a fire station! The City of Burlington owns the building. BCA has been using it for art shows, talks, and learning programs since 1995.
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Discovering the Firehouse History
The BCA Center building is a historic landmark in downtown Burlington. It was designed by a local architect named A.B. Fisher. The building was finished in 1889. It first served as the home for the Ethan Allen Engine Company No. 4. This was one of Burlington's volunteer fire departments.
In 1927, the Burlington Police Department took over the building. Later, in 1967, it became empty. The old firehouse started to fall apart.
Saving the Historic Building
By 1973, the building was planned to be torn down. But the community really wanted to save it! So, the city leaders, called Aldermen, stopped the demolition. They even set aside money to fix it up.
Over the years, different groups used the space. These included the offices of a U.S. Senator named Patrick Leahy. The University of Vermont also used part of the building.
In 1995, Burlington City Arts (BCA) started planning an arts center. The Firehouse Gallery moved into the first floor. Soon, the Ethan Allen Firehouse was chosen to be the main home for this new arts center.
Bringing the Firehouse Back to Life
In 1999, the City Council decided to turn the firehouse into a full arts center. BCA hired an architect to plan the big renovation. Construction began in the spring of 2001.
Challenges During Renovation
After a few months, work had to stop. A large crack appeared on the north wall. The building actually sank by about 4 inches (100 mm)! It took a lot of work to make the building stable again.
Once it was safe, construction continued. The Shelburne Museum helped by returning the original firehouse bell. This bell was put back into the tower.
What's Inside The BCA Center Today?
The BCA Center officially opened in 2002. It has many cool features for artists and visitors.
- A community darkroom and photography studio for taking and developing pictures.
- An artist-in-residence studio where artists can work.
- A multimedia room for talks, movie nights, and discussions.
- A Resource Room and Library with public meeting space.
- Free Internet access for everyone.
The BCA Center galleries show exciting, high-quality artwork. They also host discussions and art activities. Their goal is to help people in Vermont enjoy and understand contemporary art.
The Return of the Firehouse Bell
In 2001, BCA Center learned that the Shelburne Museum wanted to give the original firehouse bell back. The tower had been damaged by years of water. So, the tower needed a lot of repair and new engineering.
After a big fundraising effort, the bell was finally lifted back into its home. This special event happened on September 12, 2002.
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