24 June 2024

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Dear friends and supporters of Walker Memorial Hall,

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As usual, winter seemed to last forever, and summer comes as a sweet surprise but is over before you know it.  We accomplished a number of things this past off-season.  Renovation-wise, most of the interior walls and ceilings are patched and painted.  Electrical rough-in is done.  Completion of work on the auditorium ceiling and installation of lighting fixtures is expected in July.  Transfer of donated land from the 411 Highland Rd LLC is done, so we can start development of a parking area and septic system behind the Hall.

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Organizationally, I am pleased to welcome two new Directors, Christine Baillargeon and Phil Allen.  Both have dived right in and begun work on newly formed committees.  As Chair of the Grants committee, Christine led a small team in developing and submitting grant proposals to the Maine Community Foundation and the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation.  We didn't receive the grants, but gained invaluable knowledge of the grant process, and will continue to seek grants.   A proposal to the Ham foundation will be submitted soon.   Phil is Chair of the Events Committee and will be the focal point for organizing and executing events at the Hall, including both events sponsored by the Hall itself, as well by outside groups using the Hall. We are currenting planning to hold some events at the Hall this summer (to the extent we are able without water).   Keep your eye on the Events page of this website for more news.

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We began the process of curating and cataloging the contents of the library.   We have contacted the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum to advise us regarding the mineral collections.  We have had highly informative discussions with Mike Davis of the Bridgton Historical Society regarding the context and significance of 19th century libraries in Maine, and particularly the historical value of having an intact library collection from that period.  

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As the Hall becomes more and more functional, we look forward to pulling in more volunteers to participate in the renovation process and engage the surrounding community to start using the Hall (again).  That's what it's there for.

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Ken Abbott

President, Walker Memorial Hall corporation

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