The Annie
Get your arts in here!
Since 1810 the iconic red brick Matriarch of Main Street, known for years to locals as ‘The Blackburn,” now home to The Cape Ann (The Annie to her friends), stands at the convergence of Highway 127, Main and Washington Streets in Gloucester’s colorful and historic West End. The Annie had many incarnations over the last couple centuries…she was Gloucester’s first hotel, a brothel, business offices, a printing company, a tavern, a pink dance hall, as well as number of theatre companies. One might say that she stands at the crossroads of the Past, the Present and the Future.
In January, 2011, North Shore entrepreneur Henry Allen followed a calling to help refine and revitalize the arts scene in Gloucester’s West End by creating a multi-use central cultural arts center.
He jumped at the chance to move into the space at One Washington Street, and has been hard at work ever since, creating a special venue that is warm, versatile and elegant. Henry has a love of Gloucester and Cape Ann that is infectious, and so is his passion for collaboration in the arts, and his commitment to fostering healthy community and cultural development, preservation, education and freedom for all ages.
