Rural Hall (Surry, Maine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Rural Hall
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | Surry Rd., 1 mi. E of Contention Cove, Surry, Maine |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1871 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 04001049 |
| Added to NRHP | September 22, 2004 |
Rural Hall is a very old building in Surry, Maine. It is located on Surry Road, which is also called Maine State Route 172. This special building was constructed between 1871 and 1876. For many years, Rural Hall has been the main place for people to gather in the small community of East Surry. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. This shows how important it is to the history of the community.
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What Does Rural Hall Look Like?
Rural Hall is a long, rectangular building made of wood. It has a roof that slopes down on the front side. The outside walls are covered with clapboard, which are overlapping wooden boards. The building sits on a strong stone foundation.
Where is Rural Hall Located?
Rural Hall faces south and is on the south side of Surry Road. It is about 1 mile (1.6 km) east of the main part of Surry village. When it was built, the road was actually to the south of the building. This is why the main entrance faces away from the road today.
Exploring the Outside of Rural Hall
The front of the building has three sections. The main entrance is in the middle. It has a covered porch area with a sloped roof. On each side of the entrance, there are two narrow windows placed together. You can see similar pairs of windows above the entrance in the roof's front section. The sides of the building also have these same double windows.
The back of the building now faces the road. It does not have any windows. There is a single door here, covered by a small roof supported by decorative brackets.
Inside Rural Hall: A Look Around
When you go inside Rural Hall, past the entrance area, you find a large open room. This room is like an auditorium. It has wooden benches that can be moved around. At the north end of the hall, there is a raised stage.
The Balcony and Kitchen Area
A balcony stretches across the southern end of the hall. This balcony was likely added later in the 1800s. Part of the balcony has a small kitchen area. This kitchen was added in the 1940s. From here, food can be sent down to the main floor using a dumbwaiter. A dumbwaiter is like a small elevator for food.
Other Features Inside
An area under the balcony has been closed off to create a bathroom. The building still uses its original heating system. This is a wood stove with a very long chimney pipe.
How Rural Hall Began
The idea for Rural Hall started in 1868. A local group called a sewing circle had a meeting. They decided to raise money to build a community hall.
Forming the Rural Hall Association
In 1870, the Rural Hall Association was officially formed. People raised money by asking for donations, which is called "subscription." A local historian kept records of the building's construction. This historian also gave the land where Rural Hall stands today.
A Place for Everyone
The building was constructed between 1871 and 1876. Since it was built, Rural Hall has been used by many different local groups. It has always been a central place for social gatherings in the community.
