Over the same years, Wilton Drive, the designated Arts & Entertainment District, was changing too. The Junior League Thrift Store, the office supply store, the hair salon and Wings 'n Things gave way to restaurants, bars and specialty shops, bringing a new vibe and new people. It's not uncommon to hear about someone who visited and loved the small-town feel so much that they came back to live here.
The Woman's Club was built in 1956 on land donated by Alvar Hagen, a local community activist. It's not a large building — maximum occupancy is set at 75. Hagen's wife, Virginia, was one of the first club presidents, and the couple was known for their community spirit. Over the years, the Woman's Club used their social capital to raise money for local charities and were part of the fabric of community life.
The Woman's Club retired their chapter in January 2011. The property was deeded over to the City, which took on the work of caring for the building. Older buildings come with their own set of problems, and preserving the historic integrity of the Woman's Club has presented challenges that City staff have addressed well.
It was the empty, unused building — in need of a little paint and a lot of attention — that we found early one Saturday morning in November 2011. That's what led us to see what it could become: Art Gallery 21.