In 2000, at the turn of the 21st century, the Marlborough Arts Center as we now know it did not exist, except as a dream held by some dedicated artists and art lovers who were determined to create an artistic and cultural center in Marlborough. They wrote a Constitution and By-Laws, creating a non-profit totally volunteer-run organization the Mission of which remains to foster the creativity, appreciation, and enjoyment of fine arts, and regional history through educational programs, exhibitions, and performances. They met in homes, the Town Hall, local churches and wherever space was offered, and they planned. They held art shows in those venues. They rode in town parades creating greater awareness of their artistic dream. They made themselves and their ideas known to the town. Interest and membership grew. But there was no central home.
When a parcel of land with a small building on it next to the road at 231 North Main Street became available in 1999, it seemed a perfect spot for an Arts Center. This old building was part of Marlborough’s history, known first in the 19th century as a recreation hall for the men who worked the many wool mills active in the area during the Civil War years. After the mills closed, in the 20th century its next iteration was as Hall’s Package Store, a successful local business. However, it would take a valiant effort by many people to transform this perfect spot from the past into a home in the present for an Arts Center.
With a grant from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, and matching funds raised by the members and others in the community, the old building was bought, moved, restored, renovated and enlarged. The grounds were landscaped and made accessible. Most of this was done by members’ volunteer labor. Many of the needed contractors also volunteered their time and skills or donated materials at cost.
And so it was that on September 15, 2007, in this newly beautiful setting, the Marlborough Arts Center and Museum Inc. (MAC) opened with a Grand Reception and Official Recognition by the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut, recognizing the volunteers who had transformed this historical building into a wonderful community resource. Three years later the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Connecticut sent sincere congratulations in another Official Citation in recognition of MAC being honored with the Marlborough Town Committee’s 2010 Community Service Award.
MAC flourished. And in 2015 the opportunity arose to purchase an adjoining wooded section of land which could become an Art Park. Once again, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving agreed with the plan to preserve the land in its natural state while adding art as sculptures, en plein aire classes, and perhaps someday a labyrinth for quiet reflection. Active fund raising succeeded in meeting the amount of matching funds needed and the Art Park was born that year. The pandemic slowed down but did not thwart completion of pathways through the Art Park. In 2024 the Marlborough Greater Together Community Fund awarded a small grant, that added to funds already raised, made it possible to create a Sustainable Art Trail for visitors to the Art Park. The support of these charitable organizations has been vital in realizing the dreams of so many for a regional center of the arts in Marlborough.
Bringing together the three centuries of history behind MAC’s creation can be seen by perusing the History Collection Corridor just beyond the Art Gallery. Here are maps showing the location of the mills, artifacts from the original building including hand-hewn nails and shingles, the Hall’s Package Store sign, and electrical transformers of yesteryear. Photo albums show the transformations that created the Arts Center, Art Park, and Art Trail. It can truly be said that this dreams of the past look open to the possibilities of the future in this cultural gem that is the Marlborough Arts Center and Museum Inc.
Dr. Joan C. Lester, President 2015-2017, Member of the Board since 2011