By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
Brookbury Hall, a cornerstone of the Bury area community, is marking a significant milestone—its 100th anniversary. This occasion will be celebrated on Saturday, Aug. 3, starting at 1 p.m. The event promises an afternoon filled with stories, photos, memorabilia, games, and refreshments. Attendees will also have the opportunity to browse a book of memories, encapsulating the rich history of the hall and its significance to the community.
The celebration will take place at Brookbury Hall, located at 571 Brookbury Road, Bury. Brenda Bailey, the organization’s president, can be contacted for more information at 819-884-5984. For more information on the hall, visit: centrecommbrookbury.weebly.com
A century of community spirit
Debbie Everett, a long-time resident and community member, shared her personal connection to Brookbury Hall in a July 16 interview on the scene. “I grew up in Brookbury, just three houses up from here,” she reminisced. “We’ve always come to Brookbury Hall. It was built in 1919 for the Brookbury Women’s Institute (WI) by community members who donated wood, time, and effort.”
The hall served as a central meeting place for the WI, providing a dedicated space for their activities. Prior to the hall’s construction, meetings and events were held in members’ homes. The elementary school, which was located across the street, also utilized the hall for various functions, including graduations and plays.
Versatile venue for all occasions
Over the years, Brookbury Hall has been a versatile venue for numerous events. “We’ve had bridal showers, wedding receptions, card parties, birthday parties, and anniversary parties,” said Everett. “Anything that was community-oriented happened here.” The hall has also hosted fundraising events, such as mechouis and spaghetti dinners, to support its upkeep.
When the Brookbury WI disbanded in 1996 due to dwindling membership, the responsibility of maintaining the hall fell to a newly formed committee of dedicated community members, including Everett. “The Women’s Institute sold us the building for $1,” she explained. “If they hadn’t, it probably would have become a garage or been torn down.”
Steering the future
Today, the hall continues to be managed by a committee, with Brenda Bailey as the president and Austin Bailey as the treasurer. The committee meets twice a year to discuss maintenance and event planning. “We open the building in May and close it after the Halloween party at the end of October,” Everett noted, emphasizing that the hall is not insulated for winter use.
Despite the seasonal closure, Brookbury Hall remains a vital part of the community’s social fabric. It is frequently rented out for various events, including funeral luncheons. “We’ve had to increase the rental fee a bit due to inflation, but it’s still very affordable compared to city venues,” Everett said.
Commemorating 100 years
As part of the 100th anniversary celebration, the committee has been working diligently to gather memories and memorabilia. “We’re trying to get some pictures and going through the old minutes of the Brookbury WI, which are in the Bishop’s [University] archives,” Everett said. “It’s so interesting to read through them.”
The event will feature displays of historical photos, including bridal showers and wedding receptions held at the hall over the years. One notable story is of the WI’s effort to support a community member with muscular dystrophy in the 1960s. “They collected funds to buy him a television,” Everett recounted.
Another highlight will be the display of watches given to Hong Kong veterans from Brookbury after World War II. “My father and father-in-law were both Hong Kong veterans. The WI held a special supper for them and gave them watches,” she said. “I still have my dad’s watch, engraved and everything.”
A community invitation
Everett expressed hope that the anniversary celebration will draw a large turnout. “Everyone is welcome. It’s an opportunity to visit, reminisce, and look at different things we have on display,” she said. “Many people are still connected to this hall—it’s where their parents came, and even my grandfather helped build it.”
The event, initially planned for 2020, was postponed due to the pandemic. Now, the community is eager to come together and celebrate this historic milestone. “We’re just hoping to have a nice get-together, to visit and look at our own photos, and reminisce about it all,” Everett said.
