First bricks placed in front of Central Hall

DOVER-FOXCROFT — After a fundraising campaign of more than eight years, the first batch of bricks have been placed in front of Central Hall on East Main Street. About 200 bricks at either four by eight inches or eight by eight inches were set or are going to be positioned in the ground next to the walkway leading to the building from the sidewalk.

“We have probably got 200 bricks sold right here,” said Barbara Moore of the Friends of Central, who has worked with Dover-Foxcroft Historical Society President Mary Annis and Dover-Foxcroft Assistant Town Clerk Cindy Woodworth on the Buy-a-Brick fundraiser for nearly a decade. The three were joined by Maine Highlands Senior Center President Dr. Lesley Fernow and Treasurer Chris Maas as the bricks were put in place on the morning of Oct. 17.

Bricks were sold to raise funds for the Central Hall renovations, as the historic structure will house an adult day services center and senior center on the first floor and an event center on the second floor. Each brick was engraved, by Moonbeam Laser Engraving of Levant, with the name of the sponsor and artwork if desired. The glass-like etching will not wash out, fade or wear.

Bricks include the names of many current and former residents, Foxcroft Academy alumni and classes, organizations and businesses based in Dover-Foxcroft as well as surrounding communities. For many sponsors, those supporting Buy-A-Brick remember various events held at Central Hall during the 20th century.

“We have 56 bricks for the original founders, each donated $250 to get the original building up and started,” Moore said, as bricks close to the sidewalk feature the names of benefactors for Central Hall when facility plans began in the late 19th century.

“So we paid honor to them by having them right here at the beginning,” she said. Moore said the intention was to have the bricks placed in historical order leading up the walkway.

“We are so grateful to all who supported us and these bricks will be a lasting tribute to them and the businesses and organizations,” she said. “It’s an important part of the history of our town, and hopefully in the future people will walk up and be telling stories here.”

“There’s plenty of room for hundreds more bricks,” Moore said, saying about 75 more have been sold and will be set once the ground is ready.

She said a flagpole will be placed on the left side of Central Hall and a ring of bricks for veterans, firemen and police officers will go around the flagpole. “I don’t believe that will be installed until spring, but it will be a nice way to honor them.”

Moore said about $30,000 has been raised through the Buy-a-Brick campaign. “I would love to double that, not just the fundraising part but because I am emotional and nostalgic here,” she added, looking at the two vertical rows of bricks.

“We officially want to thank everyone who shared their family with us to become part of history,” Moore said. “Don’t forget there’s room for many more, you haven’t missed out.”

For more information on buying a brick to be placed at Central Hall, please go to http://www.centralhallcommons.org or see “The Commons at Central Hall” on Facebook.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
CENTRAL HALL BRICKS — The first fundraising bricks for Central Hall are now in place along the walkway leading to the building on East Main Street in Dover-Foxcroft. The engraved bricks commemorate loved ones, recognize various Foxcroft Academy classes and show support of past and current residents, organizations and businesses for the project to renovate the historic structure. Plenty of room is left on the Central Hall lawn for the addition of more bricks.

Contributed photo
BRICKLAYING — From left, Barbara Moore, Dr. Lesley Fernow and Cindy Woodworth stand on the walkway after two vertical rows of bricks were placed in front of Central Hall in Dover-Foxcroft.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
PISCATAQUIS OBSERVER BRICKS — Two bricks in front of Central Hall were sponsored by the Piscataquis Observer.