January 13, 2022 – The Preservation Trust of Vermont announced today a Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization grant of $100,000 to Arlington Common for the restoration of the Mid-Century Modern facade of the Performance Hall. 

Constructed in 1964 as St. Margaret Mary’s Catholic Church in Arlington, the building is an excellent example of mid-century modern-style churches and is one of only a handful of such churches in the State. The $100,000 Bruhn grant will support the facade restoration project. The project will focus on in-kind replacement of the green Kalwell panels on the exterior to address thermal inefficiencies and general deterioration, in-kind replacement of windows with historically appropriate replacements, roof work and other facade repairs.

When complete, the Performance Hall will enhance community life by transforming a vacant and unused building in the town center into a community gathering and learning space for cultural, educational, and social purposes, including concerts, afterschool programs, town meetings and more. As a space with seating over 275, the Performance Hall has the potential to draw larger scale events and festivals to Arlington, and to increase economic activity in the area.