Marshfield Hall

several improvements were carried out: the hall was painted, a piano acquired, walls panelled, stacking chairs were purchased as well as a set of dinnerware. In 1963 the roof was shingled, a furnace installed to replace the space heater and the kitchen extended the full length of the hall.

A major fund raiser for the Women’s Institute was the weekly Saturday night, Auction Forty-five card parties held through the late fall and winter.

In 1976 a substantial amount of money was borrowed for roof repairs, outside windows and an indoor “outhouse” was constructed.

In 1987 an estimate of $20,000 to $30,000 was obtained as the cost to place the hall on a new foundation, install a water system, washrooms and associated plumbing etc. The Institute members felt it was beyond the group to raise that amount of money so only necessary repairs were made to the sum of $1,000 . These included refinishing the floor and having carpet installed on the stage. Labour supplied by several inmates of Sleepy Hollow Correctional Centre allowed the exterior of the hall to be painted.

The hall continued to be rented for concerts, wedding showers and receptions, the Tamarack Dancers, Poultry Breeders, Fur Breeders, election polls and many other activities. For many years it was the meeting place for the Dunstaffnage— Marshfield 4-H Club, Boy Scouts, Wolf Cubs and Beavers and their activities.

In June of 1997 Marshfield Hall was offered for sale - the building to be removed or demolished. Eventually, during the fall of 1999 after 111 years of service to the community, Boyd Kelly of Mt. Stewart agreed to purchase the hall and proceed with board by board demolition.

A Marshfield landmark is gone. But echoing the words in the poem The Opening of Marshfield Hall “The hours spent in Marshfield Hall have left no sting behind.”— many happy memories remain for the people of Marshfield and surrounding areas.

Submitted by Doris MacBeath, April 2000

—216—

The Opening of Marshfield Hull

To-day we are assembled here, All joined in heart and hand, To set aside for public use This house wherein we stand.

The floor is white and strong and tight, The roof keeps out the rain, The pillars all are sound and good, The walls without a strain.

Against those gables high the wind May dash the snow and sleet, In vain they cannot enter here; This building stands complete.

All honour then unto the men Who answered duty’s call And freely gave the honest cash To build the Marshfield Hall.

Long may their health continue good, And long may they who share Life’s joys and sorrows here with them Continue hail and fair.

Let misers heap together wealth, And worship gods of gold, Some spendthrift yet may scatter all When they are lying cold.

But they who win and spend aright Have joy within their hearts, That heaped-up riches cannot give 0r hoarded gold impart.

Long may this house a blessing prove To all this neighbourhood, And spread abroad on every side An influence for the good.

Here let the thrifty farmers tell What fruit their labour bore, And how two blades of grass will grow Where one had grown before.