Middletown Daily Photo: Memorial Town Hall

Monday, July 7, 2008

Memorial Town Hall

I've been driving through Middletown for six years and I don't think I've ever seen this building in use for anything. I'll have to do a little research to find out if there are any plans for development or rehabbing.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...: I just moved here a month ago and wonder the same thing.
It should be restored.; July 12, 2008 at 7:57 PM
Bernie said...: There used to be a sign on the front, but I don't recall seeing anything there when I took this picture a couple of weeks ago.; July 13, 2008 at 2:11 AM
Theresa said...: My parents live in M-town and Mom says that the same people that own The Main Cup own Memorial Hall and that it is used for the Library Book Sale during M-town festival as well as other things.; July 14, 2008 at 9:13 PM
Bernie said...: Theresa, thanks for that info. I know someone who works at the Main Cup; maybe I can get an intro to the owners and find out more.; July 14, 2008 at 11:04 PM
Colorado Kid said...: The Friends of the Middletown Library hold their book sale there every year during the Heritage Day Festival. We are also open the next day, Sunday for our clearance sale. The Friends are always looking for new members. Contact the library for information on how to join.; July 20, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Colorado Kid said...: Be sure to come by the book sale on September 27th and 28th. We have the books all ready to go. See you there.; September 17, 2008 at 6:09 PM
Bernie said...: colorado kid - thanks, I'll drop by. I saw the signs in the window the other day and I'm planning to photograph them this weekend.

Is that Red Rock Ampitheatre in your photo?; September 17, 2008 at 11:03 PM
Colorado Kid said...: Yea, We went there two summers ago with our kids. I forgot how lucky I was to grow up in Colorado. Thanks for the support of the Book Sale.; September 22, 2008 at 8:21 AM

About Middletown

Middletown, Maryland was founded in 1767 and is said to be named either for its position midway between South Mountain and the Catoctin Mountains or its central location between the larger Maryland cities of Frederick and Hagerstown. A few years earlier, a visiting surveyor and future “Father of our Country” George Washington referred to Middletown Valley as one of the most beautiful places he had ever seen.

The town was incorporated in 1833. After the Civil War battles of South Mountain and Antietam, Middletown churches served as hospitals for both Union and Confederate soldiers.

Today Middletown boasts a delicate balance of old and new. Instead of a Mayor, the town leader is a Burgess. Some of the buildings were built in the 1700s and 1800s. There are large Victorian homes as well as the typical cookie-cutter subdivisions that dot the edge of the Washington DC commuter exurbs.

The only franchise restaurant in town is a Subway; the only Starbucks is inside the Safeway.

If you really want to understand what small-town America feels like, visit Middletown during the Independence Day festivities and fireworks at Middletown Park, the Volunteer Fire Department’s annual mid-July Carnival or the Middletown Heritage Festival held in the fall.