|
and you |
 |
|
|
If the timeworn walls of
the
Dressler Center could talk, they might spin an intriguing bicentennial
yarn.
This charming Early American house, located on the corner of Tayman and
Harrison Avenues, was instrumental in the shaping of Somerset County
history.
In friendly conversation, these old walls might expose the spirited reputation the house enjoyed back in 1832 when Sheriff Joseph Imhoff built it on land originally owned by early settler, Captain Peter Ankney. They also might confirm or deny the rumor that it was a part of the Underground Railroad during the Civil War and would divulge which previous owner was bold enough to hide slaves in the cellar passageways. The real story may never be told, and space doesn't allow for adventurous speculation. However, if we conversed with these art-adorned walls today, they would reveal how an idea conceived at a kitchen table in 1975 eventually made this house a home for the first non-profit, fully-staffed rural arts organization in Pennsylvania. The idea was the beginning of a dream destined to grow because a group of culturally-minded people believed the community of Somerset wanted, needed and would support an art center to promote and encourage the arts. After several meetings - and obtaining legal counsel - this group incorporated under the name of Laurel Arts, Inc. and was seeking a home. Enter Dorothy Dressler, a widow who had previously expressed interest in offering her home as a center for the arts as a memorial tribute to her husband Philip d'huc Dressler. Mr. Dressler was the son of Conrad Dressler, English sculptor and inventor of the tunnel kiln. The gift of the house was in accordance with Philip Dressler's wishes that their home be used as a permanent center for the arts, and was contingent on the ability of Laurel Arts to maintain the property. Rising to the occasion, the founders organized a community fund drive to raise $150,000: $40,000 to convert the existing building into a Pennsylvania-compliant public facility; $30,000 for two years of general operations, and $80,000 for endowments for future operations. The founders were right - the community wanted, needed and would support a center for the arts - and their goal was met. Laurel Arts Inc. had found its home within the walls of The Dressler Center. The organization was established as an "umbrella" to link the arts and Somerset County by cataloging activities of other arts organizations, and by sponsoring exhibits, concerts, lectures, classes and workshops for adults and children. Laurel Arts fosters and presents visual and performing arts at schools, youth and senior centers, theaters and our own galleries for enlightenment, education and rehabilitation. Laurel Arts maintains offices, galleries and workshops in a historic farmhouse, and dance studios in part of a former J.C. Penney store in uptown Somerset. The organization works with all 11 school districts to provide cultural programs, workshops, artists in residence, etc. It also works with Special Olympics, the Children's Aid Home and other agencies that serve people with special needs, to use the arts to promote well-being. Laurel Arts is home to 14 affiliates. Laurel Arts operates on a $450,000 budget. It receives most of its support from those who use its services, but it also depends on contributions from sustaining members and, to a lesser extent, from grants. The non-profit organization meets all state and federal requirements. A copy of its budget, audit or other financial documents is available on request. Laurel Arts is governed by a working board of 21 members, who are expected to head various cultural and fund-raising projects. To join Laurel Arts, send an email to membership@laurelarts.org To request a budget, audit or financial statement, email finance@laurelarts.org The official registration and financial information of Laurel Arts, Inc. may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. |
If the timeworn walls of
the
Dressler Center could talk, they might spin an intriguing bicentennial
yarn.
This charming Early American house, located on the corner of Tayman and
Harrison Avenues, was instrumental in the shaping of Somerset County
history.
In friendly conversation, these old walls might expose the spirited reputation the house enjoyed back in 1832 when Sheriff Joseph Imhoff built it on land originally owned by early settler, Captain Peter Ankney. They also might confirm or deny the rumor that it was a part of the Underground Railroad during the Civil War and would divulge which previous owner was bold enough to hide slaves in the cellar passageways.
The real story may never be told, and space doesn't allow for adventurous speculation. However, if we conversed with these art-adorned walls today, they would reveal how an idea conceived at a kitchen table in 1975 eventually made this house a home for the first non-profit, fully-staffed rural arts organization in Pennsylvania.
The idea was the beginning of a dream destined to grow because a group of culturally-minded people believed the community of Somerset wanted, needed and would support an art center to promote and encourage the arts. After several meetings - and obtaining legal counsel - this group incorporated under the name of Laurel Arts, Inc. and was seeking a home.
Enter Dorothy Dressler, a widow who had previously expressed interest in offering her home as a center for the arts as a memorial tribute to her husband Philip d'huc Dressler.
Mr. Dressler was the son of Conrad Dressler, English sculptor and inventor of the tunnel kiln. The gift of the house was in accordance with Philip Dressler's wishes that their home be used as a permanent center for the arts, and was contingent on the ability of Laurel Arts to maintain the property.
Rising to the occasion, the founders organized a community fund drive to raise $150,000: $40,000 to convert the existing building into a Pennsylvania-compliant public facility; $30,000 for two years of general operations, and $80,000 for endowments for future operations.
The founders were right - the community wanted, needed and would support a center for the arts - and their goal was met.
Laurel Arts Inc. had found its home within the walls of The Dressler Center. The organization was established as an "umbrella" to link the arts and Somerset County by cataloging activities of other arts organizations, and by sponsoring exhibits, concerts, lectures, classes and workshops for adults and children.
Laurel Arts fosters and presents visual and performing arts at schools, youth and senior centers, theaters and our own galleries for enlightenment, education and rehabilitation. Laurel Arts maintains offices, galleries and workshops in a historic farmhouse, and dance studios in part of a former J.C. Penney store in uptown Somerset.
The organization works with all 11 school districts to provide cultural programs, workshops, artists in residence, etc. It also works with Special Olympics, the Children's Aid Home and other agencies that serve people with special needs, to use the arts to promote well-being. Laurel Arts is home to 14 affiliates.
Laurel Arts operates on a $450,000 budget. It receives most of its support from those who use its services, but it also depends on contributions from sustaining members and, to a lesser extent, from grants. The non-profit organization meets all state and federal requirements. A copy of its budget, audit or other financial documents is available on request.
Laurel Arts is governed by a working board of 21 members, who are expected to head various cultural and fund-raising projects.
To join Laurel Arts, send an email to membership@laurelarts.org
To request a budget, audit or financial statement, email finance@laurelarts.org
The official registration
and
financial information of Laurel Arts, Inc. may be obtained from the
Pennsylvania
Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania,
1-800-732-0999.
Registration does not imply endorsement.
|
|
|
on the Turnpike Take exit 110 on the turnpike.
Follow the exit ramp to the light. Make a right onto North Center
Ave. At the third light, make a right onto W. Main Street (31
west).
West Main Street is a one-way street. Get into the left hand lane
and go through three lights. One block after the third light, all
traffic in the left hand lane must make a left. Make that left
and
get into the right hand lane. You will stay on that road for one
block. Go through the yellow flashing light, and Laurel Arts is
the
first building on the right. See Map |
 |
|
Take the 601 exit (Somerset) off
of 219. Follow the exit ramp to the stop light. Make a left
onto 601 (North Center Ave). Follow North Center Avenue towards
uptown
Somerset. At the thirteenth light, make a right onto W. Main
Street
(31 west). West Main Street is a one-way street. Get into
the
left hand lane and go through three lights. One block after the
third
light, all traffic in the left hand lane must make a left. Make
that
left and get into the right hand lane. You will stay on that road
for one block. Go through the yellow flashing light, and Laurel
Arts
is the first building on the right.
See Map |
 |
|
Follow 31 west into Somerset (Glades
Pike Road). As you enter into Somerset on route 31, all traffic
must
make a right. Make that right and stay in the right hand
lane.
You will stay on that road for one block. Go through the yellow
flashing
light, and Laurel Arts is the first building on the right.
See Map
|
 |
