History

The DubHub’s historic building began its long life as a general store (Union Store/Mason-Allison Store) in the heart of Dublin in the early 1840’s. In 1856, the front portion of the building, a Greek Revival structure, was added to expand the store to the street. As the Dublin General Store, it became an integral part of the village streetscape and was a vibrant destination for shopping, eating, and gathering. The building is included in the National Register Village District along with the Dublin Community Church (1852), the 1836 Dexter Mason House (now Yankee Magazine), the Town Hall, Dublin Public Library, and three other historically preserved residences.

The building operated continuously as a general store until 1982 when it closed its doors. Phyllis and Charlie Burt, who owned the store for many years, continued to live upstairs until 2007 when Phyllis, having survived her husband, died. She left the building to be sold and the proceeds to be distributed among several town and area services and agencies.

The building sat empty for more than a year when Dublin resident, Nancy Cayford, assembled a small group to envision a new life for the neglected structure. Rumors had circulated that it might become a laundromat or be torn down for a parking lot. In 2009, a Board of Directors was formed and The Burt House Preservation Society, a New Hampshire nonprofit, was established. This ambitious group of volunteers began the arduous process of raising funds, purchasing the building, and planning for its renovation and re-use as the new Dublin Community Center.

Thanks to the vision and vitality of the founding Board, the Dublin Community Center opened its doors to the public in 2014.