Sunday, April 17, 2011

Paris Hill Community Club


The Academy Building was built in 1856 largely due to the efforts of Jarvis C. Marble and others who raised $2800 in contributions from the local community. The building took only one year to complete as citizens volunteered labor and equipment to get the first school on Paris Hill established. Two other attempts at this challenge had failed, but this group was successful. The building opened with a celebration ball that fall, and then began holding classes in 1857. Decreasing enrollments due to the passage of Maine's free high school law of 1893 led to the closure of the school in 1901.

In addition to the school, the building has long been a venue for entertainment. The Thespian Club, a theater group revived in the 1860's, held plays and music events. The Unity Club took over in the 1870's and continued the tradition of providing entertainment producing comedies, operettas and organized socials.

After the school closed the building continued to be used for community entertainment such as dances, dinners, theater and music events. In 1948 the community renovated the former schoolroom and redecorated, adding a full kitchen to accommodate the monthly suppers. In 1957 The newly formed Paris Hill Village Corporation was organized to take over control of the building. Then in 1966, the Corporation was disbanded and the building was sold for $1.00 to the Paris Hill Community Association. (Information taken from Martin Dibner's book, Portrait of Paris Hill.)

Renovations and improvements have continued since 1966 with changes to the stage area, a bathroom and storage added, upgrades to the kitchen. Most recently we have painted the theater area upstairs, and repaired several windows. But the big challenge continues to be the foundation. Two sides of the granite foundations have been restored, but two more remain in poor condition.

This centrally located building continues to be the focal point for an active community committed to preserving the history of this village which was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1973. Monthly suppers are held from May to September. Weddings and anniversary events are booked into the large spacious hall, and we continue to encourage entertainment groups to use the stage and theater upstairs.

Fundraising efforts to maintain this 154 year old building have centered around Home Tours of the village. Historically the Tours have been elaborate Christmas events with homes decorated for the holidays. However, this year we are returning to much earlier tradition, and have scheduled a summer Home and Garden Tour for July 16, 2011 in concert with the annual Founder's Day celebration on the Common. Our goal is to raise enough money to complete the foundation repair and fully stabilize the structure.

More details will follow on this blog about this exciting event. But mark your calendars now for what promises to be a magical tour of 7 homes and gardens, and 8 gardens. Some of these homes have never been open to the public.

This is your chance to see what careful stewardship of Maine's history can accomplish in this nationally recognized Historic Landmark.

Remember: July 16, 2011 Paris Hill Founder's Day. Home and Garden Tour and 33rd Annual Classic Car Exhibit. Vendors, food and entertainment all day. We are located off Hwy 26 between Norway and Bethel on the Paris Hill Road.