The Charles H. Taylor Arts Center
is open to the public, free of charge.
4205 Victoria Boulevard
Hampton, Virginia
Gallery Hours are:
Tuesday - Friday: 10AM–6PM
and Weekends: 1–5PM.
Closed Mondays.
For more information,
call 757-727-1490
The Hampton Library Board, June 26, 1926. Left to Right: Leonard M. Newcomb (Phoebus), Robert N. Newton (Superintendent of Schools), Mattie Von Schilling, Matthew C. Armstrong (Capt.)
Charles H. Taylor
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THE
CHARLES H. TAYLOR ARTS CENTER
- A BRIEF HISTORY
Celebrating 80 years as a cornerstone of
the community.
In April 1925, Mrs. Grace Taylor Armstrong, built what was to become one
of Hampton’s most familiar and well loved buildings — The
Charles H. Taylor Memorial Library.
Mrs. Armstrong conveyed in trust, the land and building to be known as
The Charles H. Taylor Memorial Library “for the use and benefits
of the residents of Elizabeth City County, including the City of Hampton,
and the incorporated Towns and communities within said county.”
The Library was built as a memorial to Mrs. Armstrong’s father, General
Charles H. Taylor who was the Founder and the Managing Editor of The Boston
Globe newspaper for many many years. The design of the building is neo-classical
and is said to be modeled after a particular favorite of Grace Taylor Armstrong — the
Courthouse in Elizabeth City County.
The Charles H.Taylor Memorial Library served the City of Hampton well for
more than 60 years. In 1987, the building was closed when the City built
and opened the much larger Hampton Public Library right next door.
After careful renovation and restoration, the historic building reopened
in January 1989 as The Charles H. Taylor Arts Center. It is still owned
by the Board of Trustees of Mrs. Armstrong’s estate and leased back
to the City of Hampton to be operated by the Hampton Arts Commission.
In celebration of its 80th anniversary, The Charles H. Taylor Arts Center
underwent more extensive upgrades and renovations in the Summer of 2005.
With the appointment of renowned artist and curator James Warwick Jones
as Gallery Manager, the Arts Center is becoming once again a vibrant and
dynamic leader in the community.
The Armstrong Galleries comprise the original part of the building and
they are, of course, named in honor of the donor. The Chapman Gallery is
named in honor of Harold and Elizabeth Chapman who were, for many years,
leading influences on the artistic and cultural life of Hampton and the
Virginia Peninsula. The second floor of the historic building now houses
new gallery space for the Art Center’s permanent collections as well
as studio space for an ever expanding program of classes, lectures and
workshops for students of all ages.
The Charles H. Taylor Arts Center hosts a series of changing exhibitions
throughout the year. Many of the area’s leading arts organization
partner with the Hampton Arts Commission in the presentation of annual
exhibitions. These include the Peninsula Glass Guild, the Tidewater Artists
Association, the Hampton Arts League and the Bay Days Festival. |
