History of the building

You will have heard different titles used for the same building! You might have even heard it being referred to as “The Old School House”. Here is a brief history of this municipal heritage building, home to the Slocan Lake Arts Council.

Formerly known as the "Silverton Gallery" and originally the Silverton Schoolhouse, this incredible historic building remains a significant heritage site in the Village of Silverton.

The Village of Silverton began as a camp to serve the rich mines located on the southern slope of Idaho Mountain, and was eventually named after the famous mining town in Colorado, Silverton. By the early 1890’s lots were being sold and the population grew to 500 people, with four hotels, three general stores and a newspaper called the Silvertonian.

As people flocked to exploit the Slocan Valley ore mines, the population of children also swelled. Nearing the end of WW1, the old village schoolhouse was too small and saw the construction of the two-storied Silverton School (1917).

This striking two-classroom school taught local children from grades one to six until the 1970’s. A high school was also located in the back of the building. One can still find original features of the building such as the bell and the bell tower. After the school was closed in 1977, the Village of Silverton purchased the building for $1.

From 1977-1996, the east side of the ground floor housed Silverton’s Fire Department. The Silverton Historical Society has also made it’s home in this building.

In the early 1980’s extensive renovations took place to create an arts and performing space with the intent to expose residents of our remote rural area to diverse artistic disciplines and to foster inspiration, creativity, exhibitions, performances, and educational opportunities. The building was renamed the Silverton Gallery.

Since this time, the building has been used as the village’s premier community meeting place, cultural hub, workshop space, public art gallery, and music venue. Although owned by the Village of Silverton, the building has been managed by The Slocan Lake Arts Council (formerly called the Slocan Lake Gallery Society) since the early 80’s.

In 2018 The Slocan Lake Gallery Society changed its name to the more inclusive name "Slocan Lake Arts Council" (SLAC). It was then also decided to rename the building to the Slocan Lake Arts Centre, so that it better represents all the different art forms offered in the facility. Cultural events in the building are put on by SLAC, or by external art groups and individuals that rent the facility from us, including the Valhalla Fine Arts Society for their annual Valhalla Summer School of Music.

For the above reasons, we like to refer to our home base as the “Slocan Lake Arts Centre”, and that is what we typically use in our communications to the public. On paper, the municipal building is still formally listed as the Silverton Gallery though. This means that in all formal communication, such as grant applications and even in the name of our new committee and fundraising campaign, you will see “Silverton Gallery” being used.

In 2023 the fire alarm panel faces technical issues, which caused a formal closure of the building to the public. The Village of Silverton has successfully completed the repairs and the building is ready to be re-opened. The Slocan Lake Arts Council and the Village of Silverton are currently in the process of renewing the lease agreement. At the same time, SLAC is working on securing the future of the building with a grand fundraising campaign for necessary future upgrades. Read more about our fundraising campaign for the building and how you can help!

Here is a great PDF presentation about the building with more photos, made in 2012:

The History of the Silverton Gallery