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HISTORY OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE
Built in 1903 and opening in 1905, the fundamental purpose of The Neighborhood House was to serve as the community center for the year-round residents and summer residents of the town of Mt. Desert. Dedicated to the maintenance and improvement of community values and spirit of the town, The Neighborhood House served all without regard to age or income bracket.
The Neighborhood House, over the early and mid-1900's was utilized as the local high school gymnasium, winter library, town meeting space, dance hall, hosted vaudeville acts and housed a bowling alley. It was a vibrant building where all ages of local and summer residents alike came to gather on a regular basis. It served as a second home for everyone in the community. As stated in the 1908 Annual Report, "The Neighborhood House seems to have passed beyond the experimental stage and to have become a valued part of the life at Northeast Harbor, thus justifying the belief of the founders that such a house built through the joint efforts of the residents and of the summer visitors would make for friendliness and social uplift."
With its rich history, value to the small island community and recent, strong rejuvenation, The Neighborhood House remains
and will continue to be an enduring part of life in the town of Mount Desert.
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