Unity Hall History

Unity Hall was built in 1896 with funds raised by the women of the Unitarian Church of Barneveld.  It seems they were tired of holding all the church functions in their own homes.  Through ice cream socials and other means they raised $1,700, because if they were going to do this thing “they wanted to do it right!”  The building quickly became not only a center of activity for the church, but the entire community.

During the 1940’s, the Layman’s League, a fore runner to the Rotary Club, used the Hall extensively.  Dinners were put on every month, and Unity Hall  hosted a variety of social activities over the next couple of decades.

The advent of television in the late 1950’s decreased the number of evening events people went out for. Use of the Hall for community events declined and the building was dark for extended periods between church functions.

In 1993, Unitarian Church member George Landecker became determined to bring the Hall back to the center of community life that it had once been.  When George set his mind to something it always got done.  He found allies in other longtime residents, recruiting village historian Betsy Beil Mack and Edward Hinge to form the Unity Hall Foundation, a not-for-profit organization formed with the goal of reviving Unity Hall. 

A major restoration of the Hall was undertaken with guidance from Landecker, Mack, Ed and Bill Hinge, Mary Rebecca Ferris and Marietta von Bernuth.  In 1995, with the building even more splendid than the day it first opened, Unity Hall reopened to the community.

The Unity Hall stage sprang back to life - hosting performers from around the corner and around the world.  Opera, Classical, Folk, Rock, Jazz, Blues and Bluegrass artists filled the hall with music and appreciative audiences.  Plays and musicals were staged, along with dances, exhibits and lecture programs.  Unity Hall was once again a center for community activities.

Disaster strikes

In the winter of 2000, a ruptured pipe in the heating system caused a leak that seriously damaged not only the floor of the second floor theater and portions of the walls and ceilings on the first floor, but also stained the beautiful woodwork of the second floor walls and the theater area's arched ceiling.  Fortunately the damage was discovered and contained in time to avert a catastrophe.  Thanks to an effective response and good insurance,  the hall was soon back in good order.

Unity Hall continues to serve as a regional center of community life; hosting concerts, recitals, dramatic performances and many private functions including wedding receptions and the like.  114 years old and still going strong!

Recently, the foundation secured a grant to upgrade the kitchen by obtaining a commercial grade, high capacity convection oven, a 6 burner cooktop and a high volume commercial dishwasher.  The new equipment and a revised kitchen floor plan will greatly improve the kitchen, making Unity Hall an even more enjoyable place for banquets and receptions.

We encourage you to join friends and neighbors that support the hall by becoming a member of the Unity Hall Foundation.  Members receive advance notice of upcoming events, discount admission to most events, discounted rental rates for private functions and a number of other benefits.  Get more info and a membership form here.

We look forward to seeing you at Unity Hall!