The HTI building was originally built in the 1930s as a Piggly Wiggly grocery store. In the 1940s, it was converted to a roasting facility for Barcelona Nuts, still an on-going Maryland business concern. Many Takoma Park residents still remember shopping for nuts at the Barcelona nuts facility until the mid 1990s. Since then, the building was intermittently rented, but mostly vacant.
The challenge for HTI has been to take the empty shell and make it useable. This has required planning and fundraising done in stages. Extensive repair of the façade was required. The roof needed to be repaired. The HVAC and electrical systems were done over from scratch. All of this basic work was necessary before embarking on any of the interior finish work. Funding for the extensive renovation was provided from the State of Maryland, the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, which sponsors the House and Garden Tour, the Maryland Main Street Program, the City of Takoma Park, and many private donors. >here> Oak Grove Restoration and J.D. Contracting have completed repair work on the front bay windows.
We now have the gas connected for central heating in the building. Marlon Pujol of MP Energy has done a wonderful job with the HVAC system.
We have recently received grants from the State of Maryland and the City of Takoma Park.
When completed, the building will have exhibit, office, and meeting space, as well as storage facilities for archival materials.
Donate to the Building Fund
You can help us reach our goal by donating to the building fund. To donate, please click on the "Donate" button below. You will then be taken to PayPal to complete the payment process.
