Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
RICHARD J. SLATTERY ARTS AND RECREATION CENTER
RICHARD J. SLATTERY ARTS AND RECREATION CENTER. Formerly known as "The Barn," this site near FLORA PARK was the home of the BARN COMMUNITY THEATER and in 2017 became the home of the DUBUQUE MONTESSORI SCHOOL.
In 1968 "The Barn" was purchased by the Dubuque Recreation Department from Thomas Erlich for $600 and moved to its present site from a farm on which STEPHEN HEMPSTEAD HIGH SCHOOL was later constructed. (1) Workmen raised the 64-by-32 foot barn and placed it on twenty-four wheels pulled by one large truck. A second truck was used to pull the barn up hills along the way. Two trucks were also used to hold the barn back as it was lowered down hills. While employees of INTERSTATE POWER COMPANY had to cut 12 primary and several secondary lines and then re-splice them after the barn passed, phone cables only had to be cut once--at the entrance to Flora Park. Much of the work was donated. (2)
Developed through the leadership of Susan RIEDEL, volunteer help and donations, the building was renamed the Richard J. Slattery Arts and Recreation Center on June 11, 1978, for Richard J. SLATTERY, head of Dubuque recreation projects for twelve years.
The Center has served the community as an art gallery, concert hall, theater, and classroom for community school students. Annual productions were staged in the Center by the Barn Community Theater. The DUBUQUE ART ASSOCIATION used the building to house its annual art fair. The basement has served as a warming house for ice skaters using the nearby rink during the winter.
See: DUBUQUE MONTESSORI SCHOOL
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Source:
1. "The Barn Comes to Town," Telegraph Herald, June 4, 1968, p. 1
2. Ibid.