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Roosevelt Hall (Minnesota) facts for kids

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Roosevelt Hall
Roosevelt Hall (Minnesota).jpg
Roosevelt Hall (Minnesota) is located in Minnesota
Roosevelt Hall (Minnesota)
Location in Minnesota
Roosevelt Hall (Minnesota) is located in the United States
Roosevelt Hall (Minnesota)
Location in the United States
Location Barrett, Minnesota
Built 1933
Architect Civil Works Administration
NRHP reference No. 85001819
Added to NRHP August 23, 1985

Roosevelt Hall is a special community building located in Barrett, Minnesota. It's in Grant County, a part of Minnesota. This building was created in 1934 by a group called the Civil Works Administration (CWA). The CWA was an important government program that helped people find jobs during a tough time.

Roosevelt Hall is famous because it's one of the few buildings the CWA built in Minnesota. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. This means it's a very important historical place! The CWA helped small towns like Barrett build cool and well-designed buildings without spending too much money. Over the years, Roosevelt Hall has been a central spot for fun, learning, and community events.

What is Roosevelt Hall?

Roosevelt Hall is a large building that has served many purposes. It started as a place for community gatherings and sports. It has a big open space that was once a gymnasium. There was also a stage for performances. The building has always been a hub for people in Barrett to come together.

How it was Built

Roosevelt Hall was built using wood. It is about 42 feet wide and 110 feet long. The outside of the building is covered with special wood siding called western red cedar clapboard. The roof is shaped like a triangle, which is called a gabled roof, and it's covered with wood shingles.

Inside, the building originally had a wooden floor perfect for a gymnasium. There was also a stage, which was about 19 feet by 30 feet. Above the main floor, there was a balcony that measured about 41 feet by 44 feet.

A Building with Many Lives

Roosevelt Hall has changed its purpose many times over the years. It's like the building has had several different jobs!

From Gym to Theater

In the past, the local public school used the gymnasium at Roosevelt Hall. But in the early 1950s, the school built its own gym. After that, Roosevelt Hall wasn't used as much.

In 1957, the original stage was taken out. For 14 years, the building was used as a bowling alley! Then, in 1973 and 1974, it became a youth center. From 1977 to 1979, it was even used as a factory that made insulation material.

Today, Roosevelt Hall is used by a community theater group called the Prairie Wind Players. They put on plays and shows there. In the early 1980s, the theater group built a new stage. In 2004, the front area of the building was updated. They added new bathrooms and ticket booths for people coming to see shows.

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