On a warm fall evening in 2002 at the last Artwalk of the season, the dream of turning a local downtown landmark into an art center began to take shape. Artists displayed their wares on the sidewalks, businesses opened their doors to after-hours customers and a pottery wheel was spinning its spell before mesmerized children and adults. Art lovers pursued the exhibits of paintings, photography, sculpture and pottery while live music played in the background, but one building stood dark and closed amidst the busy background of the evening. Baldwin Lumber had recently retired its operations, leaving vacant the 1914 Ives-Hartley Lumber Company building. After being in continuous operation for nearly 90 years, Baldwin Lumber Company was closing its doors.

On an evening filled with community and art, the dream became a viable vision. Why not turn this historic empty structure into a local art center, thereby securing the future of the building, while creating a home for the arts in Baldwin City.

In the spring of 2003, a presentation was made to the owner of the building, Baldwin State Bank and a community meeting was called to gauge interest in the project. From the list of interested attendees, a steering committee and subcommittees were formed, each with specific tasks.

On August 12, 2003, the Lumberyard Arts Center Project was awarded 501(c) (3) designation under the umbrella of the National Heritage Foundation and the task of raising the necessary funds to implement the project began.

After working with students from Kansas State University architecture department to formulate preliminary floor plans for the renovation, Paul Werner Architects of Lawrence was selected to design and draft the architectural plan.

The estimated cost of the project was just over $1,000,000! A huge sum for a small community.

In the beginning, with much community interest aroused, funds came from many sources. One of the first donations came from a Children's Theater Workshop. Proceeds from a community talent show with area talent of all ages were dedicated to the project. A BarBQue dinner with music from area musicians was so well received that it has become an annual event enjoyed by the community. A wide range of items have been made or contributed for sales to generate funds, birdhouses, tee shirts, videos, cutting boards, ornaments, note cards and coffee mugs, just to name a few.

Contributions have come from Brownie Scouts with money they earned selling cookies, a 7 yr. old "artist" contributing 50% of her sales at summer Art Walks, former residents of Baldwin City that now live far away, but still have a love for their "hometown".

The Community Arts Council, sponsors of the Art Walks, were one of the first to contribute and continue to support the project. The Community Theatre regularly donates a portion of their receipts to the project. Grants from the Douglas County Community Foundation and the Rice Foundation as well as other donations from area businesses and corporations have contributed to the funds to proceed with renovation. Donations, great and small, each one important, and yet, $1,000,000 is a huge sum for a small community!

A determined group of volunteers and a hard working board of directors remained steadfast toward their goal of Building a Home for the Arts in the heart of downtown. In the fall of 2006, the board determined it was appropriate to operate independently of Natl. Heritage Foundation and applied for and received their own 501(c)(3) status.

When the community began having its doubts as to whether or not anything would really happen, it was decided to divide the project into two phases. Divide and conquer!

Thanks to the many volunteers and countless hours of hard, dirty work and thanks to donations large and small from the community, Phase I is now complete and open for business.

Phase I includes the front one half of the building, absorbing the greater part of total renovation costs. With the completion of Phase I, an attractive working facility is now available for classes, art shows, and other community events.  

Fund raising continues toward the goal of completion of Phase II, which will add a 184 seat theater in the back half of the building. Grants are being sought and orders for commemorative bricks are still being taken. Fundraisers will continue to take place, not only to generate funds for construction of Phase II, but to cover necessary expenses such as the gas bill, office supplies, insurance and taxes, etc.

There is still a need for volunteers for routine maintenance, hosting exhibits and teaching classes. If you haven't had time up until now, it is not too late to get on the list. If you haven't ordered your brick, you can still become a permanent part of the history of Baldwin City.

The community of Baldwin City is creating change for its future, and the development of the Lumberyard Arts Center is a part of that future. This vision is becoming a reality and the community now has a Home for the Arts in the heart of downtown.