Why is it called Brown Hall?

A Small brown hall on the Beaver Bank Road, about 1 km north of the railway tracks, has played a remarkable role in the lives of the people who live in Beaver Bank - Kinsac.

In 1921, a group of citizens recognized the need for a place to enjoy social activities and provide recreation. Funds were raised through auctions, pie sales and bingos. The Triangle Club gave $200, the land was donated, as well as some building materials.

Through the years, the Hall saw many activities, Trustee chairman Ken Barrett volunteered his time for maintenance and repairs and often provided dry wood to the Scouts to feed the Hall's two stoves. At a public meeting in 1974 Mr. Barrett invited the 2nd Beaver Bank Scout Group Committee to operate Brown Hall as a community project. People of all ages shared in the cleaning and maintenance, excavating for the furnace, filling the oil tank, plumbing, snow clearing, mowing grass, planting trees and painting. Some provincial government assistance came from the "Little Red Schoolhouse Project", which gave grants to upgrade buildings used for recreation. In 1985 the hall received new wood siding and a front entrance.

Each time new officers were elected for 2nd Beaver Bank Group Committee, they accepted responsibility for the Hall.

It's good to recall the many events and activities that have taken place at the Brown Hall over the years - political meetings and elections, picnics, card games, socials, handcrafts, Sunday School, wedding receptions, church services, men's clubs, dart games, sleigh-ride suppers, school planning, corn boils, adhoc landfill committee meetings, Girl Guide cookie sales, apple days, blueberry sales and bottle drives.

One outstanding event, shortly after the end of World War II, took place in the Hall as more than 200 citizens thanked and honored those who served from the community.

It's phenomenal when you add to this the training associated with Guiding and Scouting programs and realize those young people have grown and are taking their places in many communities throughout the world. It must make those associated with the movement feel proud to be part of their achievements. Should anyone ask for your time, or a share of your resources, for the community, think about the Brown Hall and try your best to assist these young people.

I want to thank each and every one of you for your community "good turns".

---From an article written in October 1994 by
Ken Margeson 1911-2007, Honorary Member,
National Council of Scouts Canada