Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1920-07-16
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their communities for recreatlonul, gymnashc,
athletic, social and welfare work and often TOT
political, cooperative business, and religious wotN.
Among the specific economic of the buildings,
for instance, are canning demonstrations boys
and girls club work. domestic science agrlcul-
tural society meetings. fairs. cafes, cafeterlas
farmers institutes. and cooperative purchhsins
and marketing activities. Among the educatiotai
and recreatOnaI uses are lectures. moving P.
lures, night schools entertainments, billiards.
pool, bowling, table games, reading ROOM anu
library
The Matlnecock neighborhood house. Locust
Valley, Long Island, New York Is an excellent ex-
ample Of the way in which community buildings
come into existence and are managed
About eight years ago boy came to the sec
rotary of the AIatineeoek Nelghborhood associ-
alton and asked him TO start boys club, saying
there was no place for the boys to 20 for good
time except TO the saloons or to the nelghDorlhg
town with its questionable amusements. The sec
rotary, who had but recently arrived mude
survey of the situation. He found that through
economic changes, farming was gradually being
given up and the section was becoming resi-.
Dental one. The population was shifting, and
neghborhood spirit and community recreation
was at low ebb
He found also that there In the village
a private unsupervised young mems athletic club
which met in a blacksmiths shop. Being man
of vision he determined To make this club
nucleus of a general system of supervised recre-
alton for the village with a community house as
a center.
He persuaded the athletic club to sign petition
for the NeghbOrhood association to take them
In as members on payment of the regular dues,
81 per year, and then to commission them as a
recreation department to furnish recreation for
the whole community. The association complied
and appointed an executive committee. composed
of two Of its directors and five young men, to
have charge Of the arrangements. Twenty-nine
boys were appointed on committees In order to
give them q share In the constructive work.
Temporary quarters secured In old
barn. which was fitted up through general con-
tributions, including a graphophone piano. pool
table stoves dishes. indoor baseball outfit
S137 In cash. and subscriptions for many maya
zines Boy scouts and band were soon organ
lied and other organizations were formed.
AS result, II was soon found that 148 young
men were governing themselves, financing thelr
own enterprise through various entertainments
and providing social opportunities and athletics
for their fathers, mothers. brothers and sisters
At the same time they were members Of the Neigh
borhood association. with votes all questions
pertaining to IL
The barn soon became too small for these va
ryous activities This brought to the front a ques
tion which had been under consideration for some
time-the erection OF community building II
was finally decided that building should be-
erected which would be the headquarters of the
NeiehborhoOd association. with Its membership Of
300 men and women. representing 30 families
together with its boys. recreation department and
also be a general social center.
The completed building. together with the land
represents an outlay Of $4,000 The communit,
nature OF the work IN The raising Of funds and
the method Of construction i indicated by The
fact thatsthe land. the labor Of 40 members, ane
contributions from 80 per cent of the families IA
the village were all donated.
The building Is situated On a rise OF ground
In a grove OF trees and comprises one story ant
a basement The auditorium can be made 10 sea
800 people, and especially designed for mo