YORKTOWN− Yorktown Arts Foundation will close On The Hill Gallery in Historic Yorktown on June 13.
The foundation announced in March that representatives from the Colonial National Historical Park delivered documents to leaders at Yorktown Arts Foundation (YAF), ordering them to stop operating the gallery and vacate the historic Burcher Cottage property, located at 402 Main St.
“The concession agreement we signed ten years ago with the National Park Service that allowed Yorktown Arts Foundation to operate On The Hill Gallery at Burcher Cottage is at its end,” said Kathleen Wahl, President of Yorktown Arts Foundation. “The Park Service is holding us to that agreement, so we must close the Gallery and vacate the building.”
According to the National Park Service, the decision was in alignment with its plan to transition the cottage to its leasing program.
“Colonial National Historical Park is committed to protecting and preserving a number of historic buildings in Yorktown. The park has been working over the past several years to transition the Burcher Cottage to our leasing program. We look forward to developing a request for proposals and beginning the leasing process for the Burcher Cottage in alignment with National Park Service policy,” Colonial National Historical Park said in an email to WYDaily in April.
With or without a physical home, Yorktown Arts Foundation says it will continue to fulfill its mission to promote an appreciation for the arts using education and outreach.
“We have found a location to hold our Summer Art Program for children — details to come — and the York County Public Library is hosting our annual Veterans Show in November,” said Wahl.
“We were awed and humbled by the support from the community, York County, and elected officials,” Wahl added. “You wrote letters, signed petitions, and stopped by the gallery to express your support. We’re very sad that we must leave Main Street, but the kind words and offers of help we received really warms my heart.”
Yorktown Arts Foundation said it is actively looking for a new home in York County for On The Hill Gallery.
Kristi Olsen-Hayes, Director of York County Economic & Tourism Development, said, “York County is committed to working with Yorktown Arts Foundation to secure a new location for the gallery.”
On The Hill Gallery will be open during its regular hours through the end of the day on June 13, for more information visit its official website.
