The District Center for the Arts | "A historic performing Arts Center"
The former Taunton District Court building was originally built in 1826 and you can feel the history when you walk by. The many court cases over the years saw American culture evolve from post-revolutionary life to the way we do things today. This project is super important for many reasons. It maintains one of the sweetest sections in the downtown of the city of Taunton. This project creates a new art center that provides local artists and musicians a state of the art facility for Bristol County and beyond.
The District Center for the Arts was created in an effort to bring a dynamic performing Arts Center to the historic Downtown Taunton Green, and in the doing, restore and breathe life back into one of Bristol County’s most iconic Buildings. The 1st District Courthouse originally opened right on “The Green” in 1826. In 1892, the Courthouse was mechanically moved over 1 building lot in order to make way for the New Superior Courthouse.
In 2017 Sherwood Building Co., bought the Old Beauty from The County Commissioners and worked our magic in restoring historic municipal buildings. It was a perfect fit, a chance to provide a Top Shelf Performing Arts Center out of a cold dark corner of the Downtown.
And with that, we opened in November of 2018 as a 5013C non-profit and once the word started getting around, more and more music lovers found “The District” and at the time of the Covid shutdown we were consistently selling out show after the show.
We look forward to further developing educational arts programming and the constant art gallery changes. Our mission of providing our best customer service has become a trademark here at the District.
Libations are sold here, where we hold a full on-premise liquor license to service our customers in the venue on nights of shows. The District is an elegant high energy room where you can certainly get your dance on. Those that stand in the way of others enjoying themselves will be asked to leave.
Free parking is offered diagonally across the street in the Court Street Municipal parking lot free every night at 5 pm and every weekend.
We look forward to continuing the fun and excitement that The District Center or the Arts brings to the businesses and residents of our community in the beautiful city of Taunton. We certainly hope you do too and thank you for all your support through the years!
