1911 Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center Reopens June 12 with Smithsonian Exhibits
1911 Historic City Hall
Situated on downtown Ryan Street, the Historic City Hall is one of the city's most iconic landmarks. This three-story structure, crowned by a striking clock tower, has served as an Arts and Cultural Center for 17 years. It has hosted countless traveling exhibitions and local works by renowned artists, with free public admission ensuring broad accessibility. Highlights include the Titanic Museum exhibit from over a decade ago, a standout memory for many visitors. In an exclusive interview, Matt Young, director overseeing Historic City Hall and Central School, provided updates on repairs and upcoming events. Renovations are advancing rapidly, with several exhibitions scheduled for June. Details on the June 12 openings below.
Renovation Progress
Hurricane Laura damaged nearly 50% of the roof last year, exposing the interior to prolonged rain. Valuable artworks by Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso were on display and required careful restoration. Hurricane Delta later introduced street floodwaters, compounding the damage. Despite these setbacks, Matt Young emphasized a resilient approach: “We’re using the opportunity to build back better.” This mindset reflects our community's commitment to enhancement.
(Matt Young pictured with a touring group.)
Key upgrades include expanded openings for natural light, improving interior illumination and views of the adjacent courthouse. Consultations with national museums informed UV-filtering window tints that maintain brightness without dark coverings—as Matt noted, preventing a “cavernous” feel. Entrances are being reconfigured, enabling a grand front access to exhibitions for easier visitor flow.
The tour revealed the building's expansive gallery spaces, all undergoing enhancements. Central School is receiving similar upgrades to its auditoriums and rooms, fostering more opportunities for local artists and deepening community appreciation for the arts.
(Recent cultural event outside 1911 Historic City Hall)
Exciting Events Ahead
Our city is buzzing with cultural revival. Matt Young organized the innovative “Six Feet Apart” winter event, reactivating underused spaces with art galleries, ballet performances, local bands, and school holiday productions. His team aimed simply “to inspire people.”
Photo by Kathryn Shea Duncan
Launching in August, “Meet Me at the Market” will occur the first Saturday monthly. Historic City Hall will host a reimagined Charlestown Farmer’s Market: produce at the back, art market up front, live music throughout, and Children's Museum programs for kids—a one-stop hub for food, art, and entertainment.
Photo by Kathryn Shea Duncan
Two Premier Exhibits Debut June 12:
The reopening features “A New Moon Rises,” a traveling exhibition curated by the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, and “Intimate Portraits of President Barack Obama” from the Black Heritage Gallery, showcasing White House photographer Pete Souza’s images.
The first and second floors open June 12, with full access anticipated by July 9 as third-floor work concludes. Visit to experience the transformed space and celebrate our cultural resurgence!
