The Portland daily press., 1877-04-26
ODD FELLOWS, HALL.
A Description of the Roomro be Dedi-
Gated Toduy.

The main hall of the Odd Fellows is at last
all completed and will be opened for dedication
this afternoon. The hall is as fine as any in
New England and every member of the order
naturally has commendable pride in it, This
nall takes up the entire east end of the third
and fourth stories of Harrington block. 1t is
separated from the other rooms in the buildirg
oy heavy brick wall and iron doors as a pro-
lection from fire. The hall is SO feet on Con-
eress street and has depth of 60 feet with %
1eet posts. In the rear there are two commit
tee rooms, waiting room for candidates and
an ample snte-room.
The hall can be entered by large double
doors at the head of the stairs, but these are
only to be used on public occasions. One of
the chief, if not the chief attraction, of this
hall is the fine decorations by Schumacher
As they have been spoken off at length in a
former issue of this paper, it will not be pec-
essary to more than allude to them at this
time. The ceiling rests upon the stucco cor
nice, and is, outside of the paneling, done in
bands upon base of cones in brown. Above
the coue-base and below the panels, in band
running all around the hall, beginning at the
right of the seat of the Noble Grand, are the
emblems of the different degrees of the Order.
Above these, on the centre of the ceiling are
two large panels, the one bearing an emble.
matte figure of Charity, the other very strik-
ing and noble conception, representing the Civ
ing of the commandments on Sinai. Over
each official seat, pictured on black and
wonderfully effective field, are, in shapes of
seals. the appropriate jewels of each officer
On the wall, at the left of the great organ,
David and Jonathan personify brotherly love,
while on the right the parable of the Good
Samaritan Is pictured. At one side of the Vice
Grand's chair is the figure of Faith; at the
other, of Charity. The prevailing color of the
paneled wall is the brown, relieved by deli
cate gray, and set off with deep suspicion of
gold. The general effect is sumptuous.
The furniture is perhaps the next attraction
and is from the warerooms of Dean Brothers.
The designs were furnished by Theodore john
son of this city, who also furnished the cor
nices. The furniture is of Grecian style and
reflects great credit upon the manufacturers in
this city. The chairs are very attractive, be-
ing stuffed and the seats covered with red
plush, with the exception of the Vice Grand's
which is of blue to accord with the color of the
canopy over his seat. The drapery is fur
nished by Bosworth Brothers and is of satin.
That over the seats of the Noble Grand and
Vice Grand is of red, while the Vice Grands
chair is covered with a beautiful shade of
blue. The floor is covered with magnificent
carpet from the store of W. 4. Kilporn which
lights up beautifully. The beautiful organ
from the factory of Mr.. Hammil of East Cam
bridge has already been described in these col
umns. The desks from the factory of F. o.
Bailey & Co., are probably the finest in any
lodge room in the country. They are of black
walnut with PANELS of French walnut They
should be seen to be admired. The hall is
lighted by 50 gas burners. The chandelier in
the centre is from Archer Pencost of New
York. 1t contains 80 burners and is most
beautiful thing.
The doors of this hall are very fine pieces of
workmanship. They were made by Mr.. George
Luscomb of this city and are made of black
walnut, rosewood and ebony. The woodwork
of the hall was done by Mr.. A. d. Smith, the
well-known builder. The hall is heated with
steam from the boiler owned by the Odd Eel
lows.
Now that this hall as we'll as the whole set of
rooms are finished, sketch of who have had
charge of the work may be of interest. On the
night of the 18th of September, 1875 Mr.. A.
d. Smith offered resolution in Maine Lodge
that committee of one from each Lodge and
Encampment be appointed to confer with par
ties intending to build relative to new quarters.
The report was accepted and Mr.. Smith was
appointed on the part of his Lodge. As the
matter came up in ths other Lodges the fol-
lowing gentlemen were appointed: o. B.
Written, Portland Encampment; J. N. Reed,
Eastern Star Eucampmeut; S. X. Dyer.
Machigoone Encampment; W. Kilby, Ligonia
Lodge; ID. W. Mash, Ancient Brothers Lodge;
A. E. Chase, Beacon Lodge. This committee
looked at several localities but at last decided
that the site of the present building was by far
the best for their purpose, and after consulta-
ton with Mr.. harrington became satisfied that
satisfactory terms could be made with him for
suitable building. They reported their Ia
bors to their several organizations in October,
1875, and were at once chosen the building
committee. From that time to the present
they have been unitiring in their efforts. Their
labors have been we'll performed and they have
the satisfaction of knowing that when they
turn over the keys to the Grand Master today
that nothing that they could do to forward or
perfect the rooms has been neglected.
Last evening by invitation of the committee
q number of the friends who Lave aided very
materially in the project were invited to in.
spect the new hall. About one hundred ladies
and gentlemen were present and all were de-
lighted with the appearance of the hall. Prof.
j. z. Paine presided at the organ and furnish
ed some excellent music. 1t was the opinion
that the "blow.boy" was great success.
The hall will be dedicated this afternoon
with appropriate exercises by the officers of
the Grand Lodge, DR.. s. P. Getchell officiating
as Grand Marshall. w. 81. Clifford, ESQ.,,
will give an Grafton, and select quartette
will sing several selections. The exercises
will commence at 2 O'Clock, and will be open
to members of the Order and their ladies only.
In the evening Ancient Brothers Lodge will
hold meeting in the new hall when there will
be large number of the older members of the
Order throughout the state present, and remin-
iscences will be in order. A very interesting
session is anticipated.
On Friday afternoon aud evening all the
rooms of the Order will be thrown open for
public inspection. This will be the first CD.
portunity the public have had of inspecting
<1aca Gpo orap toro