The new Montgomery County Cultural Center, at 208 DeKalb Street in Norristown, is occupying a structure steeped in Montgomery County history! The original building, which opened in 1851, was erected by the Odd Fellows as a lodge hall and public auditorium. Those attending opening day festivities in 1851 found a community auditorium on the second floor seating 600 persons.
Until 1873, when the Music Hall was opened on Main Street, the Odd Fellows auditorium on DeKalb Street provided the primary site for entertaining people who traveled from many corners of the region. The vaudeville acts of the Keith-Orpheus Vaudeville Circuit and the traveling Chautauqua performed in the early days.
On the particular occasion of June 10, 1867, General George Meade, the hero of the battle of Gettysburg, made a personal appearance speaking on behalf of raising funds for a monument honoring the Civil War veterans. He was joined by local heroes, Generals Winfield Scott Hancock and John F. Hartranft. And one notable speaker on a lecture tour at the Lodge was Rev. Phillip Brooks, the composer of the beloved Christmas Carol "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem".
Political history was headquartered in Odd Fellows Hall when during the Presidential election year of 1868, native son, General Hancock accepted the nomination of the National Democratic Party to run for the office of President of the United States. He ran his campaign from the Lodge.
In those days, Phineas Taylor Barnum had a number of traveling shows on tour. One of these troupes performed a variety of acts on the old auditorium stage, but the highlight was the appearance of General Tom Thumb, world famous midget, and his wife, Lavinia Snow. It was standing room only that night in the auditorium.
In 1877, the Odd Fellows sold the four-story lodge and made plans to erect new facilities on West Main Street. The 208 DeKalb Street building would continue to be open to the public but the entertainment and lectures would be less dramatic and politics would turn from the national arena to the day-to-day operations of the town.
Phillip Quillman purchased the building and eliminated the auditorium. However, it continued to be a meeting place available to the public. During this period, until 1880, when the Borough Hall was opened on Penn Street, the building housed Town Council Meetings and the Odd Fellows Lodge continued to meet until 1904 when their new lodge was dedicated.
In 1910, this historic building passed in to ownership of the Gas Company of Montgomery County, and through the years evolved as offices, more recently for the Philadelphia Electric Company.
In 1910, this historic building passed in to ownership of the Gas Company of Montgomery County, and through the years evolved as offices, more recently for the Philadelphia Electric Company.
In 1994, the search for a site was concluded when the Society for the Arts Board accepted the financing arrangements provided by the Greater Norristown Corporation to purchase the building. A construction contract was awarded to Capital Development Corporation and the work began to renovate the building.
The Odd Fellows Lodge whose members brought culture, community and communication to the region in 1851 has again opened the doors and allowed the Arts to thrive. Today, this exciting landmark takes on a new life as the place to go for workshops and lessons in all areas of the arts, as well as performances with art shows, concerts, plays and musical theater for all ages and all stages in the Montgomery County area. A continuing story of memorable events and notable personalities now awaits you through the programs of the Montgomery County Cultural Center.
The new Montgomery County Cultural Center, at 208 DeKalb Street in Norristown, is occupying a structure steeped in Montgomery County history! The original building, which opened in 1851, was erected by the Odd Fellows as a lodge hall and public auditorium. Those attending opening day festivities in 1851 found a community auditorium on the second floor seating 600 persons.