We are currently in the process of forming a committee to administer this section of the website. Please use our Contact Us page to let us know if you wish to participate or have an interesting memory of the Hall.
The community hall in Scotchtown was built sometime before 1864. On February 8, 1864 William and Catherine White sold the Hall, and the land it is on to Trustees for the sum of ten dollars. Here is an excerpt from the original registration of the transaction which is recorded as # 8537, Book Y pages 134 and 135 in the Office of Deeds for Queens County:
This indenture made the eighth day of February in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty four between William Edward White of Queens County, Province of New Brunswick and Catherine his wife, of the one part and John Marshall, Daniel Palmer, Stephen N Marshall, ___ Clarke, and Harwood White of the County and Province aforesaid, Trustees of the land and the appurtenances herein described of the other part, witnesses that for and in consideration of the sum of ten dollars currency to him in hand well and truly paid by the said trustees the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged by the said William Edward White and Catherine his wife have granted, bargained, sold, assigned, transferred and set over … unto said Trustees or their successors … all that certain piece or parcel of land … being a part of the lot of land now owned and occupied by the said William Edward White upon which a Hall now stands, with three feet more on each and every side excepting the south east end of the said Hall and there to all land more or less between said building and the Highway Road …
The uses of the Hall were also identified in this document as follows:
… said land and Hall shall be for the Sons of Temperance to hold their meetings according to the Constitution made by the Grand Governor of the Sons of Temperance and for public worship by by all Evangelical denominations and for all meetings that tend to improve the religious, moral, literary and scientific interest of the Community and for all public meetings that are conducted with propriety, regularity and decorum – positively excluding all dancing, balls, theatrical performances and such like… Of course over the 170 years since the Hall was originally conveyed to the Trustees there have been many diverse activities in the Hall – what stories it could tell! Records dating back to the mid 1940’s indicate that meetings, card parties, community suppers and dances were common occurrences.
In the 1980s the Hall seems to have been particularly active with records of fall turkey and beef suppers, summer strawberry and ham suppers, dances and variety shows. During this same time ladies of the community catered to many weddings and other events. Records show that for one community dinner more than 60 women in the community donated the salads, rolls, pickles and pies required to feed what must have been many, many hungry mouths.
In addition to activities for adults, the children were also well served by Halloween and Christmas parties, a summer program, and it would seem bowling on at least one occasion.
Over the years many efforts have been made to raise funds to maintain, modernize, furnish and expand the Hall. Activities have included variety shows, a walk-a-thon, craft sales, yard sales and flea markets – and of course the summer breakfasts. Along the way government grants and employment programs have contributed to the efforts to ensure the Hall is a vibrant part of the community.
The Douglas Harbour Community Hall has been enjoyed by long time residents of the area, newcomers, and summer visitors. Over the years many people in the community have dedicated significant time and effort as Trustees of the Hall.
The Hall continues to be a gathering place in the community. In addition to weekly card parties, the Hall is used for yoga, sewing, and community meetings. It is where people in the area have voted in Federal and Provincial elections since at least the 1940s and has been where people have celebrated life events – from weddings and baby showers to graduation parties and receptions after funerals.
There are some records from the trustees of the Hall dating back to the mid 1940s. If anyone would like to volunteer to lead or participate in a project to prepare a history of the Hall please let us know and we will put a committee together. It would be wonderful to capture the complete history of this wonderful building and the people who have cared for it over the past 170 years.