Welcome to the online home of the historic Hardwick Town House and Northeast Kingdom Arts Council (NEKArts). Please take a look around–check our calendar of events, learn a bit of the history of the Town House, meet our board members, and make a donation to support our work.
2010 marks the 150th birthday (or Sesqui-centennial) of the Hardwick Town House. NEKArts is excited to celebrate the building’s long history while working to restore the Town House to its greatest potential.
If you have any questions or comments regarding NEKArts, the Hardwick Town House, or this website, please feel free to email us at nekarts@hardwicktownhouse.org.
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NEWS:
January, 2010
- Happy New Year, and Happy Birthday to the Town House! This year, we celebrate the building’s 150th anniversary.
- The Town House will reopen for programming April 1. Check out our upcoming events, including our first (anticipated) annual Spring Thaw Cabaret (more below) and a performance by the Vermont Philharmonic Orchestra.
- STUDENTS – grades 7 – 12, it’s time to showcase your talents in the Spring Thaw Cabaret! Auditions for the show will be held on Tuesday, March 16th from 4-6 p.m. in the Hazen Union auditorium. Find out more on our events page.
- Stay tuned for news about a Sesqui-centennial celebration this summer!
December, 2009
- Happy Holidays to all, and thank you for a wonderful year!
- We’re looking forward to a busy and productive 2010, and are currently running our fundraising campaign to help support the work we have planned. If you would like to help us continue our mission, you can make your donation online or send your check (made out to Northeast Kingdom Arts Council) to PO Box 476, Hardwick, VT 05843.
November, 2009
- The Town House is closed up for the winter, but the NEKArts board is already working on plans for next year. We have a couple of events scheduled for the spring, including a visit from the Vermont Philharmonic Orchestra and our own Spring Thaw Cabaret, which will be a fundraising event for improvements to the Town House.
- A generous Hardwick resident has pledged funds to go towards painting the Town House. This project will be one of our priorities next year, along with replacing the painted curtain rigging and making safety improvements to the building.
September, 2009
- It’s been a great summer, and we look forward to two more months of events before closing up for the winter. Next up is Vermont Vaudeville on September 26–if you missed them last time, you’ll want to be here! If you were here last time, you’ll probably want to come back for another round of great musical and clowning acts!
- We look forward to installation of Lucien Avery’s hand forged iron railing before the end of the season.
August, 2009
- Lots going on this month, beginning with a Vaudevillian Show to benefit the One LOVE AIDS/HIV Education Theater of Awassa, Ethiopia on August 5. Find out more on our Events page.
- The Craftsbury Chamber Players will be on our stage every Thursday through August 20–come experience performances by the group Yankee Magazine named Best Chamber Music of 2009.
June, 2009
- We’re excited to announce the Vermont Philharmonic will return to the Town House this summer, to perform a pops concert. More details are on the Events page.
- Come see the beautiful new granite steps. We’ll soon have a brand new railing to go with them, designed and built by local blacksmith Lucien Avery.
May, 2009
- Visit the Town House during Hardwick’s Spring Festival Weekend! NEKArts is holding our second annual Trash & Treasures Sale – find out how you can secure a space to sell your own treasures on our Events page.
April, 2009
- The project to replace our front steps has begun! Next time you’re walking around Hardwick, take a stroll down Church Street to watch the progress.
March, 2009
- We’re excited to get the season rolling with some great events from musicians, dancers, and clowns from around the region. Visit our events page for a full schedule.
- Unfortunately, the anticipated October VPO concert has been cancelled, but both the Philharmonic and NEKArts are hopeful that we can set up a summer concert. Stay tuned!
February, 2009
- We have an exciting lineup of events started for the coming season. Please check the Events Page for our schedule, which will be updated on an ongoing basis.
- With generous help from Rick Norcross and many community members, along with grant funding, the NEKArts board is thrilled to be making great progress toward replacing the front steps of the Town House. We anticipate completing the project this summer. The official “unveiling” of the steps will be celebrated with a special concert by Rick and the Ramblers. (TBA)
December, 2008
- It is now possible to make donations online! Visit our Contact Info page to make your donation today.
- Rick Norcross, musician and lead singer for Rick & the Ramblers, has made a generous commitment to The Hardwick Town House’s Front Steps Fund. Profits from the sale of his latest CD, “I Rode the Ti,” will be donated to NEKArts to be used as a match for state grant funds. CDs can be purchased directly from NEKArts – please email us at nekarts@hardwicktownhouse.org to place your order – or from business members of the Heart of Vermont Chamber of Commerce. We offer our thanks to Rick, the businesses carrying this CD, and the Hardwick Historical Society for their support of our work.
