Comins Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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East Eddington Public Hall
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Location | 1387 Main Road, Eddington, Maine |
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Area | 1.4 acres (0.57 ha) |
Built | 1879 |
Architect | John James Temple |
Architectural style | Italianate |
NRHP reference No. | 03001503 |
Added to NRHP | January 28, 2004 |
Comins Hall, also called the East Eddington Public Hall, is a very old building in Eddington, Maine. It was built in 1879. For many years, it has been the main place for people in town to meet and gather.
This historic hall has hosted many events. People have held town meetings, dances, and dinners here. It was also a place for groups like the Grange to meet. Traveling performers also put on shows at the hall. In 2004, Comins Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical site.
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What Does Comins Hall Look Like?
Comins Hall is in the village of East Eddington. You can find it on the south side of Main Road. The building is made of wood and has two and a half stories. It has a front-facing gable roof and a strong granite foundation.
Architectural Style and Features
The hall shows a simple style called Italianate. You can see this in the paired windows on the front. These windows have decorative tops called cornices. The main entrance is in the middle of the front. It has a small, decorative roof above it.
At the back of the building, there is a two-story addition. This part was added later and makes the building longer. Inside, there is a small entry area. This area has a ticket booth and stairs. There is also a small meeting room on the first floor.
Inside the Hall: Rooms and Spaces
The first floor of Comins Hall has a large dining room. This room also includes a kitchen area. Upstairs, on the second floor, you will find an auditorium. This big room has a stage, perfect for performances.
The History of Comins Hall
Comins Hall was built in 1879. It was a community project, meaning many people helped. A local carpenter named John James Temple led the building work.
Who Built the Hall?
The hall was first built for the East Eddington Farmers' Club. This club started in 1876. Farmers would meet there to talk about farming methods. The club created a special group to own and manage the building. This group was called the East Eddington Public Hall Company.
Changes Over the Years
The East Eddington Public Hall Company ran the building until 1983. Then, a new group took over. This group was the Eddington-Clifton Civic Center. They renamed the building Comins Hall. This was done to honor a local family. Members of the Comins family were very involved in community activities.
A Hub for Community Life
Since it was built, Comins Hall has been a central part of the community. It has been used as a place for voting. It also hosted town meetings for many years. From 1936 to the 1970s, it was the only place where town meetings were held.
Many local groups have used the hall. The local Grange chapter often met there for free. In 1911, a stage was added to the building. After that, the hall began hosting traveling plays and performers. It has always been a busy place for community events.