Memorial Hall (Richmond, Illinois) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Memorial Hall
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 10308 Main St., Richmond, Illinois |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1907 |
| Architect | Fred Arp (builder) |
| Architectural style | Late 19th And Early 20th Century American Movements |
| NRHP reference No. | 93000839 |
| Added to NRHP | August 19, 1993 |
Memorial Hall is a special old building in Richmond, Illinois, USA. It's right in the middle of the village's main area. Built in 1907, it has been a very important place for the community. People have used it for village meetings and fun activities. In 1993, Memorial Hall was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as a historically important site.
History of Memorial Hall
The Richmond Memorial Hall was built in 1907. It cost about US$10,000 to build. This money came from a gift left in a will by Charles Dewitt McConnell. He was the grandson of William McConnell, who was one of the first settlers in Richmond.
Charles McConnell's will, written in 1903, said that a village hall should be built. He wanted it to be used for government work. He also wanted it to be a free place for school and church events.
By 1905, the village had a group working to find a good spot for Memorial Hall. Over the years, the building has been used for many things. It was once the village hall and even the police station. It also housed the community library and a school gym. In the 1930s, a group called the J.B. Rotnour Troupe performed there. The building was also a home for the American Legion, a group for military veterans. Today, the village government offices are in a different building.
Building Design and Features
Memorial Hall is a two-story building with a full basement. Its outside edges measure 254 feet all around.
The upper floor has a large room called an auditorium. This room has a lobby, a closet, and a ticket office. There's also a stage and a balcony. The ticket office is still in the front entrance area. Two stairways lead up to the balcony from there.
The roof has a pointed shape, called a gabled roof. It is covered with asphalt shingles. The outside of the building is made of orange-yellow bricks. These bricks are in good shape. However, the metal doors on the building now are not the original ones. Fred Arp was the builder hired by the village of Richmond in 1907 to construct Memorial Hall.
Why Memorial Hall is Important
Memorial Hall is important to Richmond for several reasons. It was the main office for the village government for a long time. This makes it a key part of the village's history.
The building has also been a place for fun and entertainment. Many different groups have used it over the years. Since it was built, Memorial Hall has been a central gathering spot for the Richmond community. It has truly been a hub for village life.
Because of its history and importance, Memorial Hall was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on August 19, 1993. This special list recognizes places that are important to the history of the United States.
