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The Friends of Centennial Hall, Inc. (FOCH) purchased Centennial
Hall in June 1998, with plans to bring new life to its legacy as
a community hub for education, arts and cultural events. Built
on the town green in 1876 as a school and community hall,
Centennial Hall
educated generations of North Hampton students and hosted a
wealth of community plays, concerts, lectures and gatherings in
its grand Auditorium until 1950, when it passed into private
use.
When complete, Centennial Hall's Auditorium will
be a handsome, convenient and versatile community resource. Pairing
this excellent performance space with arts education facilities and
flexible meeting space will create cultural synergy of benefit to
the Hall's students and the entire Seacoast community alike.
Centennial Hall has come to life again, with big
plans for the future. Currently over 300 dance students and 30 music
students are actively involved in educational programs in the Hall.
With your help, we can harness the excitement already generated, to
create a vibrant
community resource for arts and culture.
ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY
The Friends of Centennial Hall, Inc. (FOCH) formed in 1997 after a
small group of residents, inspired by the former school's then
eighty-nine year old alumna, Louise Goss, met after the building was
listed for sale. Hoping to preserve this important piece of town
history, and prevent further deterioration, this committed and
determined assemblage pursued funds and encouraged community
participation to restore the landmark building. By June of 1998, the
FOCH formed a unique collaborative partnership with the Seacoast
Civic Dance Company (SCDS), raised the necessary $34,000 down
payment, and assumed ownership of the building.
Our mission is to preserve, renovate, and maintain this historic
building for joint use by the public and private citizens, with a
focus on the teaching and presentation of creative and performing
arts. |
