Memorial Hall
Memorial Hall stands as one of the most distinctive and meaningful historic landmarks in Oakland, reflecting the town’s deep respect for service, sacrifice, and community.
Built through the efforts of a local Soldiers Memorial Association, Memorial Hall was conceived at a time when towns across the nation were granted $2,000 to construct Civil War monuments. Rather than erect a traditional monument, Oakland (then known as West Waterville) chose to create a living memorial - a building the entire community could use and engage in. The Hall was transferred by the Association to the local chapter of the Grand Army of the Republic in 1887 and is now proudly owned by the Town of Oakland.
The Hall was designed by noted ecclesiastical architect Thomas Silloway, who gave the building an Italian-Gothic architectural style; an ambitious and uncommon choice for a small rural town. Constructed of stone from a local quarry with brick trim, the masonry structure features a steeply pitched gabled entry, tall sash windows set in segmented-arch openings, decorative mini-gables, buttressed corners, brick quoining, and a striking stained-glass rose window set within a rounded-arch recess.
Construction began in 1870 and was completed in 1873, when the town’s population was just 1,500. Over the decades, Memorial Hall has served many purposes, including housing a bank, post office, elementary school classrooms, town meetings, vaudeville performances, theater productions, dance classes, and countless community events. Today, Memorial Hall is currently home to Studio One Dancers as well as a new retail space, Birchwater Beauty Lounge.
An inscription at the building reads:
“Soldier’s Memorial Hall 1870
This Building Is Dedicated to the Memory of the Soldiers and Sailors Who Were Citizens of This Town, Whose Lives Were Sacrificed for the Preservation of the Union In the Civil War, 1861 To 1865.”
Today, Memorial Hall remains a powerful symbol of Oakland’s history, resilience, and enduring commitment to honoring those who served.
Memorial Hall Preservation Committee
- This committee is a dedicated group of individuals who work towards preserving Memorial Hall.
- The Memorial Hall Preservation Committee was established in 2022 with the goal of raising awareness and securing funds for urgent repairs estimated to exceed $4 million.
- The committee's partnership with the Oakland Area Historical Society has yielded fruitful results, creating a strong alliance to seek grants and financial aid necessary for the hall's restoration.
- The committee has met regularly to conduct life safety assessments and to prioritize necessary updates, ensuring that the dance studio and BirchWater Beauty Lounge can continue operating safely.
- Several smaller grants have been secured to aid in fundraising and promotional efforts, retaining wall work, and the repair of the historic stage curtain.
- A CDS grant from congress was recently granted for window replacement.
- Other projects needing funding include: groundwater assessments, external envelop mortar repair and replacement, roof repair/replacement, and other elements critical to the building's structural integrity and continued operation.
- A contract with BARBA & WHEELOCK; a Historical Architecture firm from Portland was secured to conduct a full assessment of the building and break down the necessary repairs into manageable phases.
Memorial Hall Restoration Project
The current projects are the retaining wall, windows, curtain, and fire safety work.
Exterior
- Redesign Retaining Walls in the front of the building
- Repair and reset granite stairs in the front of the building.
- Install a French drain in the front to prevent damage to foundation and cellar
- Repaint the flag pole
- Repair roof to prevent further leaking
- Fix cracks in stonework around windows
- Repoint the exterior stones using a historically accurate mortar
- Update School Street entrances with wrap around patio to the front to address ADA compliance.
- Create a patio for School Street entrances
Interior
- Install a bathroom in lower level and auditorium level
- Reconfigure lower level classroom and pantry space.
- Reconfigure backstage level area for green room and restroom space
- Make lower level and auditorium levels ADA compliant
- Safety and ADA codes met
- Interior painting, repairs, and beatification
- Antique stage curtain restoration
There will most likely be other projects come up as we make changes and restorations to the building. Financing of this project will be through community support/donations, town budget allocations, federal grants, and private grants.
If you wish to join the efforts to restore Memorial Hall, please contact the Town Manager.
To make a donation to the Memorial Hall Fund, send a check to:
Town of Oakland, Memorial Hall Fund
PO Box 187
Oakland, Maine 04963
Angel Donor ($5,000 and above)
Anonymous Donor
Anonymous Donor
Anonymous Donor
Anonymous Donor
Platinum Level ($2,500-$4,999)
Gold Level ($2,000-$2,499)
Silver Level ($1,000-$1,999)
American Legion Decker Simmons Post #51
Bronze Level ($500-$999)
Maine Eye Doctors, PA
Pinnette & Sons/Maine Roofing Service
Friend Level ($1-$499)
Strictly Roofing
