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PROJECT PROFILE:
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Once serving as the local high school, and later as the Grange hall,
today this historic downtown strucure is being reinvented as the new
home of River Arts, offering classes and programming space for the public.
River Arts photo
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A two-story, 19th century, Greek revival structure stands in downtown Morrisville, the new home of River Arts of Morrisville. The nonprofit provides programming in visual arts, performing arts, youth and elder arts, and sponsors a wide range of community events. The organization had been without a permanent space until a 2005 VHCB grant enabled the group to purchase and begin restoring this historic building.
The structure has an interesting history. It once housed the first high school in Morrisville, a private school that was called the Poor People’s Academy until it was transferred to public ownership in 1866 and became People’s Academy. The bell tower still holds the school’s original bell, even though the building was moved to Pleasant Street in 1874 to make room for the current high school. The old academy then turned into a store, and in 1925 it became the home of Lamoille Grange #233. River Arts negotiated a purchase from the Grange, which continues to meet in the building without charge.
Private fundraising has allowed River Arts to rehabilitate the building, making code, access, and other improvements. Today, the organization uses the building for classes, offices, and public programming. The second floor will become an accessible concert and assembly space.
- adapted by Ethan Parke from an article written by Doug Wilhelm
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