Historic firehouse converted into new arts center

There’s a new arts center in town, but its home is anything but new. 

Pinelands Arts Center, a new arts and community initiative developed by lifelong resident and arts educator Marisa Manion, is located in the former Taunton Fire Company firehouse on Fairview Road. While the arts center celebrated its grand opening on June 13, the building was formerly used by the Taunton Fire Company and EMS in 1973 to 2009. (Now, the fire company is based on Gravelly Hollow Road). 

Manion previously was an elementary school music teacher. Back around the start of the pandemic in 2020, she got involved with the ARTery Studio on Main Street in Medford, a children’s arts center. She ended up purchasing the business and space from its previous owner. The needs of the business quickly grew, and she knew she needed to expand. 

In 2023, her father saw that the old firehouse was up for sale. At the time, it was an automotive center. Once Manion and her family went to check it out, she knew it was the perfect place, and she loved learning about the rich history that came with the building. 

“I remember coming down here, and I was like, ‘oh my god, this would be like a dream.’ I didn’t think it was real, I didn’t think it would work,” she said. 

The renovations took about three years after Manion and her parents secured the building. Inside the updated building, Manion, her father, and a team of contractors worked to ensure the building satisfies the needs of children and guests to make the most of their time when visiting. Three large multi-use classrooms, a large garage space utilized as a pottery studio, a movement space for physical wellness, wide halls, a spacious lobby area, ADA compliment restrooms, and plenty of storage space make up the building, all of which will be used primarily for different children’s arts programs, camps, and classes. Additionally, there is vast outdoor space for parking and outdoor activities. 

“I’m the luckiest lady in the world. I actually got to draw what I wanted the art center to be and how it could flow,” Manion said. 

Additionally, it was important to Manion to honor the firefighters and EMS personnel who used to work in the building. Manion quickly connected with the fire department and befriended the deputy chief and team. 

“It was just so cool that they wanted to keep the connection alive with their building. You can tell they cared so much about this building. It actually was built by volunteers, too,” she said. 

Throughout the renovation journey and at the arts center’s grand opening in mid-June, former and current firefighters were met with nostalgia and appreciation. Many community members who utilized the former fire hall space for events like weddings or parties were also nostalgic, but happy to revisit the space. 

Manion created a plaque honoring the work, dedication, and sacrifice of the fire company, which she presented to the deputy chief at the grand opening. It now sits in the entryway. 

Also in the entryway is an exhibit with pieces of fire company memorabilia. This exhibit is inside an old 32-foot hose-drying tower. Now, hoses hang from up high, and archival items and photos are positioned around them.  

“I was thinking we should give the firefighters a plaque. But it was my dad’s idea to commemorate them by restoring the tower, and he’s the one that did all the work,” she said. “It’s like our little homemade museum.”