White River Junction has long been at the center of things: This is where the Connecticut and White rivers join, and where railroad lines merged, making this small village the largest New England train center north of Boston. Five railroads and four depots were built in the mid-19th century, with as many as 50 trains passing through daily. But as the interstate highway system grew and the railroad declined, so, too, did White River. Stores closed, and buildings stayed empty. But lately, White River - one of five villages in the town of Hartford - has reinvented itself as a haven for artists. The Tip Top Media and Arts Building, a former bakery, is now filled with printmakers, painters, photographers, and sculptors. Two years ago, The Center for Cartoon Studies opened in the old Colodny Surprise Department Store. Sleek lofts have risen along the old Railroad Row. In the recently renovated Freight House, martini glasses are stacked in a window. In fact, most of the restaurants, museums, stores, and galleries getting a close-up did not exist a decade ago.
A new haven
A onetime railroad hub reinvents itself as a harbor for artists
Spend
The Cooler Gallery (Tip Top Building, 85 North Main St., Suite 250, 802-295-8008, coolergallery.biz, Tuesday-Saturday 11-6), so named because it sits around the former bakery's giant walk-in refrigerator, has a shop filled with quirky and beautiful things, including scarves, bags, and clocks. Many of the other artists in the Tip Top Building - painters, photographers, sculptors, printmakers - also have creations for sale. A few blocks away, Ken Blaisdell takes plain white lampshades and turns them into works of art. His store, Lampscapes (77 Gates St., 802-295-8044, lampscapes.com, Tuesday-Saturday 10-5), glows with beautifully patterned shades hanging off nearly every square inch of wall space. Revolution (26 North Main St., 802-295-6487, revolutionvintage .com, Monday-Sunday 10-7), which sells vintage clothing and collections from local designers, was modeled after stores like Cambridge's Garment District. For shopping with an attitude, read the store's manifesto. A sample: "We invite you to the other side of the couture culture which thrives on excess to remind ourselves that humanity requires no air brush."Advertisement
Advertisement
READER COMMENTS »
View reader comments » Comment on this story »