Community Hall
The East Valley Community Hall is potentially a vibrant gathering place for villagers and visitors. This building with its prominent white clock tower was the community hub of East Valley villagers dating back to the mid-19th century.
Inside still hangs a historic theatre curtain, painted to advertise local businesses. There is no denying the priceless tradition of connecting neighbors with neighbors, the echoes of celebration within this Hall, and its ongoing value to all who live and visit the East Valley today.
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The next time you drive along Route 14 through Central Vermont, look for the East Valley Hall, next to the fire department. Like many throughout Vermont, the hall was built to provide a community venue in East Randolph for those up and down the Middle Branch of the White River. It is now in its third century of service.
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Sabrina and Gerald, Hal and Amelia's Grandchildren, created by local artist Joan Feierabend, waiting outside the hall for Bingo with their puppy, Bingo.
Clock tower makeover
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Great news for the East Valley Community Hall! The clock has been repaired and new chimes have been installed—you may hear them on the hour. The clock tower and roof have been painted. Many thanks to everyone who supported this effort. Look out for coverage in The Herald.
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Broader modernization on hold
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To be restored to full community use, the Hall needs extensive repairs and modernization. The cost, with permitting and licensing, is estimated at $500,000.
The East Valley Community Group initiated a Restore the Hall! campaign. In 2024, however, we put this on pause. The Town of Randolph owns the building but is unable to summon funds to match the available grants we had found or otherwise invest in the Hall.
In the meantime, the Hall will remain unavailable for community functions other than our summer Bingo nights. We remain open to discussions about alternative scenarios for rescuing and using this cherished building. If you have thoughts to share, please reach out.
Our Community Emerges IV
At various times between 1800 and 1840, East Randolph supported a grist mill, an oil mill, a tannery, a brewery, a carding mill, a spinning wheel factory, two hotels, two churches, and several doctors. In 1825, the Marquis de Lafayette, a general of Washington’s Continental Army who had since returned to France, revisited America. On his farewell tour through New England, he took the turnpike, stopping at East Randolph, and was welcomed there by Reverend Wilbur Fisk, a Methodist preacher. By 1830, the area became known for its butter, cheese, and mutton.
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In 1836, Dr. Jehiel Smith opened an Infirmary and Insane Hospital in East Randolph. He treated patients with “the best botanic medicine to be found in all the vegetable kingdom, aided in its operation by medicated vapor bathing.” One day a patient taking a “vegetable sweat bath” was steamed to death. Public pressure and the state authorities forced him to close his infirmary.
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More local history on other pages
Image: Baptist Church, East Randolph (WorthPoint/eBay)
East Valley Community Hall restoration concept, BreadLoaf Corporation
Hal and Amelia, created by local artist Joan Feierabend, are sometimes found
outside the East Valley Hall, watching the world go by.
“Being an artist I enjoy doing art projects with the EVCG.” —Marcia Hammond, EVCG Advisor
Faces of the East Valley
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