MONMOUTH — Theater at Monmouth will celebrate the official opening of Helen Melledy Hall with a ribbon cutting celebration at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 24.

Located at 775 Main St., Helen Melledy Hall is in the center of the designated downtown area of the Monmouth Downtown Plan. The renovation began in the fall of 2010 and was made possible through grants from the Community Development Block Grant program, Communities for Maine’s Future Bond program, the USDA Rural Development Fund, the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, The Davis Family Foundation and the Helen and George Ladd Charitable Corporation. Without the support of Curtis Lunt, selectpersons and the people of the Town of Monmouth the project would not have been possible.

The historic three-floor facility was fully renovated and now includes an elevator, new roof and siding, energy efficient heating and insulation and full kitchen.

Formerly the Monmouth Grange, Helen Melledy Hall has been renamed in honor of the beloved community volunteer, best known to Theater at Monmouth audiences as the ticket-tearer at the top of the stairs.

In the nearly 15 years that Melledy has participated with the theatre, she has been involved in numerous fundraising efforts, always with an expertly crafted quilt or tasty baked treat to contribute to the event. She is deeply invested in the Monmouth community, and has become as much a part of the TAM experience as the performances themselves.

Helen Melledy Hall has been owned and operated by Theater at Monmouth for more than 20 years. The 150-year-old building is used as a rehearsal, storage and dining space throughout the summer, and will be available for community rental when the theatre is not producing. In addition, the building will serve as the region’s emergency shelter, sharing a backup generator with the Monmouth Fire Department.

For more information, contact Theater at Monmouth at (207) 933-9999.

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