Blaxton Hall

Blaxton Hall, our intimate 160-seat theatre named in honor of William Blaxton (also spelled Blackstone) — the first English settler on the Shawmut Peninsula (present-day Boston) and the man credited with planting the colonies’ earliest apple orchards. Stepping through the doors of Blaxton Hall, you’ll sense the spirit of New England’s colonial past merged with the creative energy of Vaillancourt Folk Art during the holiday months.

Blaxton was an Anglican priest who arrived in New England in 1623, predating the Puritan founders of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Along the winding banks of the Charles River, he cultivated apple trees and built a homestead that would later inspire the legacy of fruit growing throughout New England. His independent nature and desire for harmony led him to relocate to what is now Rhode Island, a testament to his preference for living apart from the stricter Puritan society.

At Blaxton Hall, we celebrate this pioneering spirit by showcasing theatrical events including Gerald Charles Dickens‘ American Tour of A Christmas Carol, concerts, and special programs that champion creativity and community. Just as Blaxton sowed the first apples in the region, we endeavor to plant seeds of inspiration and artistry through every performance. Join us in paying tribute to this remarkable colonial figure as we continue his tradition of forging new paths and sharing the fruits of our labor with friends, neighbors, and visitors from near and far.

Originally converted from an office space in 2009, Blaxton Hall continues to be expanded, including the addition of a dry bar in 2021 and, thanks to a regional tourism grant, was fitted with professional sound, lighting, and a aesthetic facelift in 2024—in conduction with Vaillancourt’s 40th Anniversary celebration.