Originally constructed in 1866 as the Pioneer Iron Works, this place used to build massive machinery and railroad tracks. But in 1881, it faced a fiery adventure and was burned to the ground. Not to worry though-it rose from the ashes like a phoenix and was rebuilt. Fast-forward to 2011, Yellin bought the building for $3.7 million and gave it a massive facelift by adding 100 new windows!
Oh, and about that name "Intercourse"-yep, that was its original name, but it was later changed to the more, well, family-friendly "Pioneer Works." In 2012, just as everything seemed perfect, Hurricane Sandy decided to crash the party, flooding the space with five feet of water. But resilience is in its DNA, and after another round of reconstruction, it reopened its doors in 2013.
Now, this place is home to a garden, artist residency programs, classes, lectures, and a ton of exhibitions. From traditional lectures to quirky art installations, it's all happening here. Oh, and they dabble in music too-everything from intimate performances to full-on festivals.
They've got high-tech goodies like a 3-D printer, a powerful microscope, and even shops for metalworking and woodworking. Artists and scientists essentially get to play in the best sandbox ever, creating and sharing incredible work.
Speaking of science, Matthew Putman had this genius idea to blend the arts and sciences here. Through initiatives like the Science Studios and Scientific Controversies program, they tackle some of the big unanswered questions of our time. They’ve had rockstars like geneticist George Church and Nobel Prize winner Rainer Weiss drop by.
Not just stopping at arts and science, Pioneer Works also acts as a publisher with its own imprint, Pioneer Works Press, and publishes an online magazine called Broadcast.
So, whether you’re an artist, scientist, or just plain curious, Pioneer Works offers a brain-expanding experience that’s hard to beat. Ready for the next stop on our tour? Let’s go!
