By Greg Crawford
posted
Jul 19, 2012
Back in the early years of the twentieth century, two sisters,
Julia and Ellen Pierce, wished to honor the late Chester Pierce,
Sr., and his son, Edward L. Pierce. They had the financial
wherewithal to make a substantial and lasting contribution to the
community of Rochester, Vt., and so they came up with the idea to
build a place that would serve the community in many ways and be a
center for activities. They would call it Pierce Memorial Hall.
They commissioned a local architect, Charles Kinsman, to design
the structure, and construction of the imposing brick building was
completed in 1916. More than 600 people attended the grand opening
ceremonies. For 16 years, Pierce Hall hosted dances, roller
skating, concerts, silent films, and Vaudeville acts, as well as
town and selectboard meetings.
The Great Depression effected every city, town and hamlet across
the nation, and Rochester was no different. In 1932, as an act of
fiscal austerity, the town deeded Pierce Hall to the Masons Rural
Lodge #29, F&AM. For 29 years the hall continued to function as
a community center, as well as the meeting place for the
Masons.
In 1971, the Masons transferred ownership to the Rochester Town
School. The school dedicated the space to kindergarten and shop
classes, though the Masons continued to meet there. However, the
building was in need of repairs and the heating system was deemed
inadequate, so, in 1973, the State Fire Marshal condemned the
building for public gatherings. Rochester's current school building
opened in 1974, and Pierce Hall once again found itself the
property of the Masons.
There were many residents who could still remember the glory
days of Pierce Hall, and they were saddened by its slow descent
into disrepair. Town elders could recall travelling shows like
Smiling Ernie and his wife, Candy, Patty McIntyre singing "Buttons
and Bows," and Hot Dog Raymond zipping down a wire from the
projection booth to land on the stage. The legendary Big Band
drummer, Gene Krupa, also performed there once. But everyone's
fondest recollections were of evenings spent in the company of
friends and neighbors, and weekly roller skating parties when the
big 50x100-foot main floor was cleared so folks could skate in
circles, some holding one another with particular affection, others
holding one another to avoid crashing to the floor.
In 2001, nine people from the Greater Rochester Area gathered to
discuss the fate of the venerable edifice. It was their desire to
preserve Pierce Hall, restore it to its original majesty, and make
it once again a center for community activities. This was no small
task they were about to undertake, and it wouldn't be done in weeks
or months; it would take years. And it would take money. Lots and
lots of money.
The result of that meeting was that Dick Robson, Kathryn
Schenkman, Ken Landis, Dean Mendell, Nancy Sanz, Ann Mills, Midge
Scanlan, Bill Zucca, and the late Charlie Biederman decided to form
a non-profit association called, appropriately enough, Pierce Hall
Community Center (PHCC). Their first order of business was to open
discussions with the Masons to explore how they might set about
restoring the place.
In September of 2002, Valerie F. Levitan, Ph.D was asked to
serve as the volunteer executive director. In May of 2004, the
Masons voted to give Pierce Hall to PHCC, Inc. In exchange, the
Masons were promised a permanent space in the building in which to
hold their meetings. Five months later, a deed transfer made Pierce
Memorial Hall the property of PHCC, Inc. That was the easy
part.
For nearly two years, PHCC worked closely with the Preservation
Trust of Vermont to figure out how best to maintain the integrity
of the building, restore it to its original design, and still
comply with modern code requirements, like access for the
handicapped and myriad safety concerns.
In October, 2005 the Preservation Trust approved the concept
designs for the restoration and additions to Pierce Hall. On Nov.
1, 2005, the PHCC Board of Directors gave the go-ahead to Robson
Bilgen Architects to begin the drawings. One can begin to see just
what a monumental task the restoration of Pierce Memorial Hall
really was. Convincing Rochester residents and various state
agencies, landmark preservation organizations and endowments to put
up the money necessary takes the persistence and negotiating skill
of… well, Val Levitan.
Dr. Val has demonstrated a nearly super-human dedication to
making sure this restoration is completed. She is a good grant
writer, but even so, the task can be frustrating. On average, only
one potential funding source in seven ever writes a check. It is
not glamorous to provide money for insulation, new toilets, or
other mundane necessities, but they are all part of a larger vision
for this beautiful old building, and the steadfast dedication of
volunteers like Valerie Levitan, and the small army of determined
Rochester residents are defying the odds and making it happen.
The Shoreham-based restoration and construction management
company of Jeremiah Beach Parker was awarded the contract to build.
Given the complexity and massive scope of the project, it was
originally decided that the restoration would be divided into six
phases. That plan was later amended and reduced to five phases,
which are:
Phase I
Completed: Renovations to the second-floor rooms in the front of
the Hall in which the Masons will conduct their meetings. This
phase has been completed.
Phase II
Completed: Lower-level water issues, heating, and Fire protection
sprinkler system. This phase involved mitigating moisture
infiltration in the foundation, and subsequent damage to the
lower-level floor, as well as connection to town systems. It was
during this phase that repairs to the roof were also made. This
phase has also been completed.
Phase III
In Progress: The auditorium, restoration of the painted curtain,
balcony and business office, insulation and heating. All of the
aging sheetrock in the main hall had to be stripped out and
replaced. It will soon be taped and painted. The hardwood floor
will be completely refinished, and the windows refurbished to
improve energy conservation.
A wall completely separating the stage from the main hall was
removed. The exquisite stained glass images built into the
proscenium arch over the stage are in excellent condition and will
soon be re-wired and electrified so they can be back-lit. The
elaborate framework will be restored and repainted.
The beautiful pressed-tin ceiling and crown mouldings will be
restored and repainted in their original colors. The raised ribbon
designs will be hand-painted in gold, as they were on the second
floor.
The magnificent painted curtain, which depicts an idyllic spring
scene with sheep in a meadow, bordered by ornate gold filigree, was
restored by Christine Hadsel, under the auspices of the Vermont
Arts Council.
Phase IV
Elevator and reconstruction of historic tower. Installation of an
elevator will make all three floors of the building
handicapped-accessible. This will make Pierce Hall the only 3-story
community center in the Valley with such an
accommodation.
Phase V
The final stage. Meeting/conference rooms, fitness center, senior
center, CVY/teen center. Instituting these facilities will make
the
Pierce Hall Community Center a fully operational community and
civic center.
The renovation of Pierce Memorial Hall, and its subsequent
transformation into a vibrant community center that is already
serving the town of Rochester, illustrates what amazing things can
be accomplished when the members of a community volunteer to pool
their talents and galvanize their determination in pursuit of a
goal that addresses the needs of that community. Rochester should
be proud.
