HISTORY

The Rebirth of a Landmark

In 1884

...the people of Middlebury erected their first town hall. Located on a prominent site overlooking the town green, the handsome building was punctuated by a soaring tower that housed the town bell. Town offices occupied the basement, and on the main floor a majestic 600-seat theater gave the community a place for plays, concerts, dances, speeches and town meeting - and eventually, that new-fangled invention called moving pictures.

For nearly 75 years, the Town Hall was the heart of community life in Middlebury.

In the 1950’s, the town offices moved to the old high school, and the building was sold to private owners. The ornate stage and curved balcony were ripped out. Exquisite stained-glass windows were covered with brick. Over time, lack of maintenance caused multiple cracks to appear in the masonry walls. The walls were tilting at dangerous angles, and rain trickled through holes in the slate roof.

Clinton Smith, the architect of this once-proud building, would not recognize his creation if he saw it today.

In 1997

...the rebirth of this landmark began when a group of local people banded together to save the building and return it to its original use as a theater. As Town Hall Theater, Inc., we raised over $500,000, enough to purchase the building and create, with the expert help of architects from the Bread Loaf Corporation, a new master plan for the building.

We look forward to:

• A much-needed home for local performers
• Concerts by world-class musicians
• Year-round theater and classic movies
• Art exhibits
• Classes and events for children
• Receptions, dances, and conferences