In the century since the town hall opened in July 1909, the two-story red brick building has served as a grange hall, courthouse and police station, housed both city and township administrations and hosted a number of Centerville High School graduation ceremonies.
“I am especially fond of the auditorium, of course,” said Mark Metzger, managing artistic director for the theatrical productions at Town Hall Theatre.
“It is a beautiful and intimate space for theatre and it provides that rare sort of ‘dramatic environment and architecture’ that most contemporary theater facilities lack today.”
Metzger is also recreation supervisor for Washington Twp. and in that capacity he supervises all activities, rentals and maintenance of the building.
Metzger thinks the historic building is a testament to the trustees who envisioned a community space. The town hall has undergone several renovations during the past 100 years. Most recently, the auditorium was equipped with new lighting and electrical grid, an enhancement that benefits the children’s theater productions that are locally produced throughout the year.
While Metzger has no ghost stories to share, he is haunted by the place.
“I also am fond of the building’s history and place as a gathering point in the community for so many years,” he said. “As a shared community space, it has accumulated more residents’ stories and shared memories than really any other building in town.”
The town hall building is located in downtown Centerville, but it is owned and administered by Washington Twp. The first township hall was located on East Franklin Street on the site currently occupied by McDigger’s Pub.
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