The Opera House in Hensall provided beautiful acoustics for many dances and community events. Photo courtesy of Bluewater Heritage Committee.
The mandate of the Bluewater Heritage Committee is to promote the preservation and maintenance of architectural and/or historic buildings, cultural landscapes and natural heritage features. It is an advisory committee of the Municipality of Bluewater.
The BHC offers November’s Heritage Feature of the Month, Hensall Opera Hall, in the Village of Hensall, Municipality of Bluewater, as an example of Bluewater history.
HENSALL – The Village of Hensall Town Hall will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2014.
It contains a county library branch on the main floor and an Opera House with a vast stage and auditorium on the second floor. The town hall also contained a municipal office and council chamber until Dec. 31, 2001 when the village amalgamated with its neighbours.
In 1913, Mr. McEwan willed the land to the village to build a Town Hall, and in 1914, G.C. Petty submitted to council a petition signed by 84 ratepayers asking that a Town Hall be built at an approximate cost of $5,000. The council, and reeve Thomas Hudson voted in favour of the petition and tenders were called. Two bids were submitted. Welsh and Soldan was chosen for $6,998. H. Reynolds was hired as architect. The Hall plans called for a building 40 feet by 70 feet with a seating capacity of 450. The Town Hall became the village activity centre, drawing crowds from miles away to the dances. Many concerts were held, including minstrel shows. The acoustics in the hall were excellent, which made it an ideal place for live performances. After many successful years of activity, which included the Victory Dance at the end of the Second World War, use of the auditorium was reduced to less strenuous activity.
