The Victoria Hall Volunteers, formed in 1983 after the completion of the restoration of Victoria Hall, is predominantly a fundraising group which supports the maintenance and preservation of the historic aspects of Victoria Hall.
In 1971 when Victoria Hall was destined for the wrecker’s ball a group of civic minded individuals formed the Society for the Restoration of Victoria Hall and fundraised with garage sales, house tours, teas, requests for government grants and by soliciting donations from those who were wealthy and influential in the town. Under the leadership of Lena Field Fisher, John Taylor, Peter Stokes and others, they successfully restored the Hall to its former glory.
Since then, the Victoria Hall Volunteers, whose membership now totals 60 including several surviving members of the original Society, have raised over $356,030 which they have donated to Victoria Hall. The current donation of $20,000 is to help defray a portion of the cost of restoring the pillars at the main entrance to Victoria Hall.
The Prince of Wales opened Victoria Hall at a Grand Ball on September 6, 1860. Therefore, the presentation of this cheque on September 8, 2020, 160 years later is historically significant.
Before the COVID crisis, the Victoria Hall Volunteers were planning a 160th celebration of the opening with A Hall So Grand celebration in words, images and song. A concert and narrated retrospective of the history of Victoria Hall featuring Hugh Brewster, the Edison Singers, and a multi-media screen show. This was to be preceded by a Gala in the Art Gallery of Northumberland.
A Hall So Grand has been resceduled to June 12, 2021.
Colonial Building Restoration has been working on the front of Victoria Hall since mid June.
Repairs are being done on sandstone, the front doors and repairing parts of the speakers balcony.
The total cost is approximately $300,000.
With donations coming in from:
$100,000 parks Canada
$10,000 Victoria hall maintenance trust
$20,000 Victoria hall volunteers
The rest coming reserve funds
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
