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| The Longmeadow Community House 1923 Photo from the Emerson Collection courtesy of Longmeadow Historical Society |
It was 100 years ago today! On October 9, 1922 the first big event took place in the Longmeadow Community House. The Community House was a new beautiful building conveniently located on the corner of Longmeadow Street and Williams Street and was built to be used by all members of the community.
The chapel that was owned by First Church was used for many events large and small including Town Meetings and the May Breakfast. It began to need repairs and the town and the church needed a meeting hall. Longtime town resident Miss Emerett Colton (1833- 1917) of 1124 Longmeadow Street had bequested monies to First Church. The sum she left in addition to funds raised by town residents were used to build the Longmeadow Community House. Miss Colton was born in the family home on Longmeadow Street and was a descendent of Quartermaster George Colton, one of the first residents of Longmeadow.
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| Miss Emerett Colton Date: 1914 Source: Wood Museum of Springfield History at the Springfield Museums Springfield, MA |
The architects Smith & Bassett of Hartford, CT were hired. E. J.
Pinney of Springfield, MA was the contractor. The First Church parish property on
the corner of Longmeadow Street and Williams Street was selected for the
location. The Parsonage was located in this area, so this plan required buildings to be moved. Capt. Simon B. Parker's house (at 777 Longmeadow Street) that was located just south of the First Church and the Chapel was moved to Williams Street, so the Parsonage could be relocated to this spot- just south of the First Church and the Chapel.
Building of the Community House began in October of 1921.
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| Entrance to the Community House |
It was not until September of 1922 that plans were in place with moving timbers ready- to transport the Chapel behind First Church to get it to its new location on Williams Street. The new location was behind the new Community House.
The Community House is a colonial style building with a main entrance and two smaller ones- one on each side. After entering the building using the main entrance the ticket offices
were located on each side. 500- 600 people could be seated in the
auditorium on the main floor. More people could be seated in the balcony. The stage could be used for events. The manager's office, the coat rooms and the kitchen were easily accessible.
On Monday evening, October 9, 1922, residents of Longmeadow and also surrounding communities including Springfield attended the Opening Night performance at this new venue. Ruth Cramer and Marian Whitman (both of New York City) performed "Play Dance". The next day the Springfield Daily News described the event as an elaborate program. The two women presented artistic dancing with Mrs. Elwood Jackson accompanying them on the piano. Ruth Cramer and Mrs. Jackson's daughter, Janet Jackson, had developed this style of entertainment a few years earlier.
Another large event at this new beautiful venue featured the well known author and playwright of the time, Joseph C. Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln was born in Brewster, MA and spent many years on the Cape. He wrote about Cape Cod, because he was very familiar with and also very interested in this area of the United States. In his presentation on November 6, 1922 Mr. Lincoln told comical stories and read some of his poems and other interesting tidbits from some of the 23 novels that he had written by this time. The lecture was titled "Cape Cod Talks". It was one of three lectures that he gave in the United States in 1922.
Many organizations held their meetings in this new building. Picture shows (movies) were viewed and dances were held here in addition to Town Meetings and elections. It was a building to be used by all members of the community and it was. The Longmeadow Community House was owned by First Church and was leased to the Town of Longmeadow. At the December 17, 1926 Longmeadow, MA Special Town Meeting the townspeople voted unanimously to purchase the Community House from First Church for $62,500.
To this present day- whenever you enter the Longmeadow Community House, walk down the hall to the right. Just before entering the auditorium look at the wall on the left side. There is a plaque honoring Miss Emerett Colton who bequested the funds that began the process to build this beautiful large building that we still use today.
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| Plaque inside the Longmeadow Community House honoring Miss Emerett Colton |
This stately building that opened in 1922 has been a place for all members of the community. Over the years anyone who has lived in Longmeadow has walked up the front steps, opened the door and walked inside this building to conduct business here. Sometimes, it has been to vote in an election, sometimes to register their children for swimming lessons or get (family) pool passes and sometimes to attend meetings. It is the Community House.
Sources: 1915 Longmeadow Street Directory; Springfield Republican- 20 Jan 1917, 9 Sep 1922, 8 Oct 1922, 7 Nov 1922, 18 Dec 1926 and 1926 Longmeadow, MA Annual Town Report.
~Written by Judy Moran
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