The mission of The Howland Cultural Center is threefold: 1) To protect and preserve this historic building, designed by Richard Morris Hunt and commissioned by his brother-in-law, Civil War General Joseph Howland in 1872, and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972; 2) To maintain a cultural center for the community which promotes the arts and to encourage people to include the arts in their lives; 3) To serve the community by welcoming groups to use the Center for their special events, i.e.: meetings, recitals, fundraisers, ceremonies, workshops, parties and more.