Hopedale school annex reopens as social venue and museum

Community members, the Schoolhouse volunteer group and the Hopedale mayor were on hand Feb. 28 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Harrison County Regional Chamber of Commerce. The event marked the former Hopedale Grade School Annex being transformed into a social venue and museum.

Those participating in the ribbon cutting included Karen Jochims, volunteer; Joyce Klingler, Harrison County Regional Chamber of Commerce president and secretary; Nan Mattern, chamber board chair; Milo Baker, chamber executive director; Brittany Mattern, chamber vice president; Hopedale Mayor Mike Pelegreen; and volunteers Vicki Coffland, Mary Liggett and Kay Tipton.

“As executive director of the Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce and board members, we congratulate the village of Hopedale and others for their new adventure in providing a place for residents and surrounding communities to have events that folks can use,” Baker said. “May we continue to strive in Harrison County to attract new places and businesses to our communities.”

The facility is at 410 Normal St. in Hopedale. While renovation work continues, organizers said the social hall is ready for use. Volunteer Vicki Coffland said calls have already started coming in, including a recent request to schedule a baby shower.

“The original interest in the building as a town hall was born years ago,” Coffland said. “We would drive by here regularly and imagine how the structure could be used. We visited with city council members and introduced our ideas. Eventually we were able to go ahead and begin working on the project.”

Coffland said the volunteer group formed to complete work on the project and raise funds.

“In our fundraising efforts, we were able to raise nearly $19,000,” she said. The volunteer group includes local residents Carla Skinner, Karen Jochims, Mary Liggett, Dawn Carson, Kris Sloan, Kay Tipton and Coffland. She said Jochims primarily focuses on the museum portion.

Planned uses for the social hall include gardening classes, low-impact fitness classes, a book club and social gatherings such as wedding and baby showers and small banquets. The building capacity is 48 people, organizers said. For larger groups, Coffland said there is room on the grounds for a tent.

Organizers said the museum portion will collect and catalog historical items for future generations. The building will highlight Hopedale High School history, with an emphasis on the village and its businesses.

For information about using the building, the museum or volunteering, email hopedale2025@gmail.com or call 740-937-2355.