Meeting Places (MOP 03)

Memories of Northfield Center Town Hall By Vivian Burns Transcribed by Michaela Schoeffler In the 30’s the Town Hall was a hub of action on Thursday nights. Mr. North, the traveling movie man came to Northfield. He traveled from small town to small town each night of the week. In those days the Town Hall structure was much the same as it is today, with the exception of a balcony. I didn’t know when the balcony was enclosed for meeting rooms. The older people and young children sat on the main floor, and the teenagers occupied the balcony. Every 20 minutes or so the reel had to be changed and the lights came on. Most of the young people made a run for the basement to the bucket of water. Everyone drank from the same water dipper. Ugh! Also in the basement was a holding cell, and often when we went down for water we would harass the prisoner who was more than likely the town drunk. Mrs. Alta Burns played the piano. While the horses raced across the screen her piano almost arose from the floor. In the early 60’s and 70’s there was a group of about 24 couples that formed a dinner dance club one Saturday of the month. Groups of 6 would meet at an assigned home for a lovely dinner and then all groups met at the Town Hall for dancing. The Town Hall interior was decorated by a different committee each month according to the theme of the month. (Holidays or special occasion) This group died out in the late 70’s. These are fond memories of the old Town Hall.