Gov. Howard Dean, Mayor Peter Clavelle and Chuck Ross, a representative from Sen. Patrick Leahy´s office, will speak at the grand opening ceremony of the University of Vermont´s Center for Cultural Pluralism at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29. Ross, Vermont state director for Leahy, a former UVM trustee and an alumnus, will discuss Leahy´s bias-crime legislation.

The center is located in the 160-year-old Allen House at the corner of Main and South Prospect streets. The grand opening will include tours, food and entertainment through 6 p.m. An art exhibit also will be on display. The event is free and open to the public.

The Center for Cultural Pluralism is open to "anybody who is interested in equity and justice in the academy," said Annie Allen, executive officer for cultural pluralism and racial equality.

"Our goal is to provide the common space for people to get together and discover their own cultures and each other´s cultures," Allen said. "We need to explore our own cultures first and then move into a greater appreciation of other cultures, points of view and perspectives."

That means that Vermonters with Native American, French Canadian, Italian or Irish ancestry -- ethnic backgrounds that are common in this state -- may explore their heritages in the same space where they might learn about African-, Latino/a-, Asian- or other Euro-American cultures.

The center features a multicultural art gallery; the French Memorial Classroom for "Race and Culture" and other courses; a conference room available for campus groups; the Harry Thompson Memorial Library, featuring a collection donated by the late education professor and furnishings donated by the "Race and Culture" faculty; accessible office space for faculty with disabilities; a full kitchen and eating area; a meditation room; communal work space; and lounge areas.

The building will house offices for areas that Allen oversees, including immigration; "Race and Culture"; English as a Second Language (ESL); services for lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgendered, questioning people and their allies (LBGTQA); Cooperative Campus Ministries; Christ Fellowship; Intervarsity Fellowship; Hillel; and the Jewish Action Coalition.

Allen also oversees the ALANA (African-, Latina/o-, Asian- and Native-American) Student Center, which is located a few blocks away on Redstone campus; the Women´s Center on South Williams Street; and the Office of International Education in the Living/Learning Center.

Renovations to Allen House have included restoration of the house´s elaborate woodwork, stairwell and paper ceilings and painting of the house´s exterior in historically appropriate colors (dark red and deep green).

The house was built by Henry Boardman, son of pioneer boat builder Benjamin Boardman, in 1838. Other owners have included Farrand N. Benedict, professor of mathematics and engineering; Dr. Leonard Marsh, a medical doctor and a cousin of UVM President James Marsh and George P. Marsh; and John Johnson Allen, a lawyer whose family spent summers in Burlington and winters in Brooklyn, N.Y. After Allen and his wife died, his daughters sold the house to UVM in 1936. The house has been used as both a women´s and a men´s dormitory; the Luse Center for Communication Sciences; and, since 1997, the Center for Cultural Pluralism.

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