Story
In Silas Adams’ 1912 History of Bowdoinham, Maine, he referred to the Town Hall as the “conspicuous landmark of this Town” and remarked how the building is “situated on the highest ground in this locality…a vigilant sentinel overlooking and noting the rapid flight of time.”
The Bowdoinham Town Hall was originally built in 1823 as a church by the Universality Society. At the time, there were no meetinghouses, fraternal halls, or places of public worship. The Universalists used the building until they dedicated a new house of worship just down the hill at the corner of School and Main Streets in 1890. The congregation donated the building to the Town of Bowdoinham, which appropriated $1,000 to convert it for the purposes of a town hall.
The building served as the hub of civic life in Bowdoinham, acting as the de facto community center, annual town meeting venue, and voting site. Its use extended to social gatherings and events including the Coombs High School graduation, local variety shows and dances, birthday and anniversary celebrations, Miss Bowdoinham pageants, school plays, dance lessons, rummage sales, art shows, and basketball games. The Library Plant Sale was held in the building for 49 years; closure in spring 2023 cut its golden anniversary short.
Threat
The Select Board reinstated the Town Hall Committee in Fall 2021 after experiencing prolonged roof leaks and discovering signs of deterioration. The group was tasked with determining what was needed to repair and restore the building, develop cost estimates, and explore and execute a funding strategy. They began with a survey that helped identify community needs and establish shared priorities. The committee is led by Rachelle Tome, who had been part of the group when it last assembled in the 1990s to oversee repairs.
The Committee contracted with Preservation Timber Framing (PTF) to complete a building conditions assessment, rehabilitation plan, and cost estimates for the work. The Bowdoinham Historical Society stepped up to financially support the study. PTF wrapped up its assessment in the spring of 2023 and concluded that rehabilitation of the town hall building would cost approximately $1.5 million. The findings of the study combined with the wet and rainy spring, drove the Town to close the building to the public, citing safety concerns.
Hidden beneath the readably visible needs of repairing and painting the exterior, is a list of structural deficiencies central to the town hall’s future. The original stone foundation will need to be partially, if not fully, replaced after years of shifting from freeze thaw cycles, the perimeter sills are inadequate and beyond repair, and sections of the roof framing and interior trusses that had been temporarily stabilized decades ago will need to be repaired. The failing roof, which permitted water intrusion and contributed to deterioration of the timber framing will also need to be replaced.
The cost estimates shocked everyone involved. What was originally believed to be a solution that involved a combination of town funds, small grants, and a bit of local fundraising turned out to be a much heavier lift.
In hopes of addressing the most critical repair needs in one effort, the Select Board proposed a $1 million bond issue to residents at the June town meeting. Voters were already facing an increased town budget due to an increase in ambulance services, and unfortunately, the bond issue failed. The unexpectedly high cost of the rehabilitation, paired with a tough town meeting, is believed to have caused the outcome although committee members and town leaders still hear from residents about a desire to save the building. In response, the Town Manager proposed a multi-year, phased approach that would be more palatable for Bowdoinham residents, which would first address the foundation, sills, and roof.
How to Get Involved
While Maine Preservation staff provides technical assistance and guidance to the committee on potential strategies and funding approaches, everyone can play a part.
The Town Hall Committee emphasized the importance of residents stepping up to voice their support and to see how they can contribute to preserving the Town Hall. Members also said they would welcome a connection to those who wish to support the project who have experience in fundraising, project management, preservation trades, etc., whether they are residents of Bowdoinham or not. The committee meets at 4:30pm on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 13 School Street in Bowdoinham.
