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Events
Calendar for 2010
Contra Dances
at
Pierce Hall, Main Street, Rochester
7-10 p.m.
Every 4th Thursday
of the month all summer
June 24
Caller: Mary Wesley
Band: Pete Sutherland (fiddle) & Aaron Marcus (piano)
Dances also scheduled for:
July 22
August 26
September 23
No experience necessary.
All dances are taught. Partner not required. Musicians welcome
to bring instruments and sit in behind the band.
Admission: $8 ($5 for 21 and under)
Questions? Call Aaron Marcus (617-721-6743)
Third Annual
Pierce Hall Community Center Independence Day Dash
Saturday July 3, 2010 (Note
the change of date)–
Right before the Parade!
5-Kilometer (3.1 Mile) Running Race and Walking Event
Registration begins at 7:45 AM at Rochester School.
BOTH Events begin at 8:30 AM.
Awards at 10:00 AM. Enjoy the Parade at 11 AM.
All proceeds will benefit
the Pierce Hall Community Center restoration project.
Walkers and Runners:
$20 to participate. Only $15 if you Pre-Register
by July 2! (T-shirts are provided for first 75 race-day entrants)
Download
pdf race registration form.
Here are the 2009
Race Results.
Here are the 2008
Race Results.
Volunteer Work Session: May
9, 2009
We had a successful work session on May 9, many thanks
to all who participated by donating their time and effort.
Here is a Photo
Gallery of the session.
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Pierce Hall Community Center, Inc. (PHCC) is a non-profit
tax-exempt organization, bringing together the communities
of the White River
Valley: Bethel, Granville, Hancock, Pittsfield, Rochester,
and Stockbridge.
PHCC formed to restore and provide the facilities and resources
for social, health and wellness, educational, civic, and cultural
activities for residents of all ages.
>>See
the Chronology Highlights of PHCC
Built in 1916, Pierce Hall was designed by local architect
Charles Kinsman and commissioned by Mrs. Julia and Ellen Pierce
in memory of Chester Pierce, Sr. and his son, Edward L. Pierce.
The Pierce sisters planned and envisioned the structure as
a community center. In 1932 Pierce Memorial Hall was given
to Masonic Rural Lodge #29 F&AM who used one room of the
building as their lodge and continued the operation of the
Hall as a community center. In 1971, The Masons deeded the
Hall to the Rochester Town School District for kindergarten
and shop classes. In 1973, the building was closed for large
public gatherings. When the current Rochester High School
building opened in 1974, Pierce Memorial Hall was deeded back
to the Masons, who renovated it for limited use of space.
The Masons owned and occupied the premises for almost thirty
years.
In 2001 nine community members, Charlie Biederman (deceased),
Ken Landis, Dean Mendell, Ann Mills, Dick Robson, Nancy Sanz,
Midge Scanlan, Kathryn Schenkman, and Bill Zucca created a
non-profit association (PHCC) to begin discussions with the
Masons to restore Pierce Hall to its original beauty and its
use as a viable community center. In September, 2002, Valerie
F. Levitan, Ph.D was asked to serve as the (volunteer) Executive
Director. In May, 2004, the Masons voted to give Pierce Hall
to PHCC, Inc., in exchange for a permanent meeting place within
the building. October of 2004 PHCC, Inc., received through
deed transfer, ownership of Pierce Memorial Hall.
During 2004-2005, PHCC worked with the Preservation Trust
of Vermont on plans to most effectively maintain the integrity
of the building and to restore the facility to its original
design. Through a series of ongoing meetings, proposals and
drawings were discussed and reviewed. On October 21, 2005,
The Preservation Trust of Vermont approved the concept designs
for the restoration and additions to Pierce Hall. On November
1, 2005, the PHCC Board of Directors voted and approved plans
for the Project Architect Robson Bilgen to proceed with the
drawings.
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