Odd Fellows-Rebekah Hall (Cornish, Maine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Odd Fellows-Rebekah Hall
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Odd Fellows-Rebekah Hall
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | High St., Cornish, Maine |
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| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1902 |
| NRHP reference No. | 83003704 |
| Added to NRHP | December 29, 1983 |
The Odd Fellows-Rebekah Hall is a special old building located on High Street in Cornish, Maine. It was built in 1902 for two friendly groups: the International Order of Odd Fellows and the Rebekahs. These groups were like clubs where people helped each other and their communities.
This hall is unique because it mixes different building styles. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This means it's an important historical place in the United States. Today, it's used as a place for the community to meet and hold events.
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What is the Odd Fellows-Rebekah Hall?
The Odd Fellows-Rebekah Hall is a historic building that once served as a meeting place for two important community groups. These groups, the Odd Fellows and the Rebekahs, were known as "fraternal societies." This means they were like clubs where members supported each other and worked together to do good things for their town.
The building was built in 1902 by people from the local area. It stands out because it combines everyday building styles with more fancy design elements. This mix makes it a unique example of architecture from that time.
A Look at the Building's Design
The Odd Fellows Hall in Cornish is located on the south side of High Road. It sits across from a small park where three streets meet. This makes it a central part of the town.
The building is made of wood and is about two and a half stories tall. It has a rectangular shape and a roof that slopes steeply. The outside walls are covered with clapboard siding, which is a common way to build houses in New England.
Unique Architectural Features
One of the most interesting parts of the hall is its four-story tower. This tower is on the northern corner of the building. It has a clock on the third level, which would have been useful for the town. The fourth level of the tower has tall, pointed windows, like those you might see in a Gothic church. The tower is topped with a pyramid-shaped roof.
In the middle of the front of the building, there's a three-story section that sticks out. This part has a double-door entrance on the first floor. On the second and third floors, you can see special windows called Palladian windows. These windows have a large arch in the middle and two smaller, rectangular windows on the sides. Inside, the hall has wooden paneling on the lower walls and fancy trim around the doors. The ceiling is made of painted metal, which was a popular design choice back then.
The Hall's Journey Through Time
The Odd Fellows-Rebekah Hall was built over 120 years ago. Local builders and craftspeople worked together to create this impressive structure. It's special because it's a large and unique building for a rural area in Maine.
From Fraternal Lodge to Community Hub
The Odd Fellows used the building for their meetings and events until the 1940s. The Rebekahs continued to use it until the 1960s. After that, the town of Cornish bought the building.
Today, the Odd Fellows-Rebekah Hall is no longer used by the original fraternal groups. Instead, it serves as a valuable space for the entire community. People use it for various meetings, events, and gatherings, continuing its legacy as a place for people to come together.
