Sheffield – Dewey Memorial Hall has received a $35,000 matching grant for feasibility and planning from the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities fund. The grant will allow the hall to contract with an architectural firm for an Historic Structures Report (HSR) (including a conditions assessment) and Master Plan.
According to Dewey Hall President Beth Carlson, “The development of an Historic Structure Report, assessment, and Master Plan are essential next steps in our stewardship and preservation of the hall as an historic building and community resource for the next 150 years.” The organization plans to use this foundational work as a stepping stone for long term strategic planning. “The Master Plan will sketch plans for preservation of the building as well as accessibility and functional improvements. The Dewey Hall board will be seeking matches for this grant in the coming months.” she said.
Dewey Hall is discussed in the Town of Sheffield’s Masterplan as “an important public gathering space located in Sheffield Center” and a centerpiece of the Sheffield Historic District. The plan states that, though “the character of the village has changed over the years, [Dewey Hall] still serves as the central community gathering place, and many of its historic and cultural attributes are still present.”
Home to over 100 public events per year (totaling around 5,000 attendees), the hall has been a vibrant and vital part of the Sheffield arts and cultural community for decades. During the pandemic, the hall provided regular outdoor programming, which offered much needed solace for the community with attendees reporting that it helped them “make it through” the pandemic. Recently, attendance at the hall has increased and audiences have grown. “Our events appeal to a diverse cross section of the Berkshires and we see all ages, income levels, and many cultures coming through our doors,” states hall manager Maggie McRae.
Carlson states, “Dewey Memorial Hall is 135 years old and has undergone minimal alterations in its life span. Age and increased use are highlighting areas of concern. Our board feels that, in order to live up to our mission as stewards, we need professional guidance to prioritize and plan preservation projects in a manner that respects and highlights the history, architecture, and historic materials of the building. In addition, we would like to take a proactive approach to stewardship so that we can plan fundraising campaigns and grant applications in a timely and well-paced manner. We are extremely grateful for the opportunity the grant has provided us.”
