A Grand Old Lady

Port Perry boasts not only exceptional performers but also a remarkable theatre, complete with comfortable seating, a state-of-the-art sound system, and a recently upgraded lighting arrangement featuring the latest technology. Known as Town Hall 1873, the building’s name helps to distinguish it from Town Hall 2003, where residents handle their taxes and utility bills.

Originally serving as the town hall of Port Perry, the building has seen a variety of uses over the years. It has functioned as a jail, courthouse, roller-skating rink, movie theatre, fire station, and even a factory producing women’s undergarments. At one point, plans were made to demolish the structure to make way for parking. Thankfully, a group of dedicated residents intervened, saving the historic building, and ensuring its survival.

In 1973, the Town Hall was repurposed as a theatre. While a stage was added to accommodate performances, the rest of the hall retained much of its historic charm. The addition of a cupola brought a distinctive architectural element, although it was recently removed for a significant reconstruction effort. After a year-long project, the theatre reopened, continuing its legacy as a cultural hub. There has even been talk of renaming the building, as some residents still wander in, intending to pay municipal bills.

Construction of the original town hall began in 1873 and was completed in 1874. The chosen site, at the southwest corner of Queen and Lilla Streets (now Simcoe Street), was purchased from Benjamin Crandell for $1,000. Payment was delayed until 1875, accruing an additional $152.50 in interest. In its early days, the hall housed fire equipment and provided a meeting space for local firefighters.

During the Great Depression, the hall served as a hostel for transients, offering vegetables and potatoes to prepare meals. Later, it became a venue for the town’s Christmas market, where holiday goods and turkeys were sold. Eventually, it was leased to H.W. Gossard, a pioneer in women’s fashion, who used it as a production space for undergarments.

By 1973, the Gossard Company had vacated, and the building’s future hung in the balance. The cost of restoration, estimated at $47,000, seemed out of reach. However, a Save the Town Hall Committee was formed in 1974, raising the necessary funds. In 1975, the Town Hall was officially reopened as a theatre, solidifying its place in Port Perry’s cultural life.

Today, there is ongoing debate about renaming the venue. One name, which is favoured by many, is the Town Hall Theatre. I am not sure if leaving the words ‘Town Hall’ in the name, will prevent residents from still dropping by pay to pay their taxes and water bills. Perhaps a more distinguished title, such as the Scugog Historic Theatre and Arts Centre (SHTAC), or the Scugog Centre for the Performing Arts, would better suit the cause. Of course, then the acronym would be SCPA, and no doubt hundreds will flock to the building in hopes of adopting a puppy or a kitty.