Giving Thanks for Preston Hall

WAITSBURG - At November's school board meeting Superinten­dent Carol Clarke reminded attend­ees to be thankful for Preston Hall - a building dedicated and presented to the community by W. G. Preston 100 years ago Thanksgiving Day. An engraved marble tablet hanging over the entrance of the building reads: "Erected for the People by William G. Preston to Promote Health, In­dustry and Recreation; to Encourage Practical Education."

According to the December 5, 1913 issue of the Waitsburg Times "hellip; the laying of more stress on practical education has long been a hobby of Mr. Preston and Preston Hall is the culmination of a lifelong desire to leave a practical memorial of lasting benefit to Waitsburg. He has provided opportunities that as he says, should be wisely utilized."

The original dedication ceremony took place Thanksgiving evening, November 28, 1913. The ceremony was held in the Hall gymnasium where seating for 500 had been prepared.

"The program was scheduled to commence at 6:30, but some­time before this every available seat had been taken and men and boys were backed against the walls," the newspaper account said. "Especially was the gallery jammed with people. It is estimated that about 800 were in the Hall, and a number were not able to gain admit­tance at all. It was, without doubt, the largest gathering of this kind ever assembled in this city before."

The lower level of the original building housed an 18' x 40' "swim­ming tank," a two-lane bowling al­ley, a forge and iron working room and boy's and girl's dressing rooms with showers. The main level in­cluded a gymnasium and balcony as well as a "manual training room" containing carpenter benches and a "mechanical drawing room". The third floor was devoted to the "do­mestic science department," and in­cluded a sewing room, dining room and kitchen, laundry, pantry and linen presses.

Preston Hall remains a source of pride in the Waitsburg community to this day. Great pains were taken to retain the original character and his­torical significance of the Hall when it underwent extensive and award- winning renovations in 1996. The building received both the Award of Merit from the American Institute of Architects, Spokane Chapter and the Historic Preservation Award from the Eastern Washington State His­torical Society.

Currently, Preston Hall provides classrooms for 7th and 8th grade middle school students. The gym - though not regulation size for sport­ing events - is used regularly by the school district and community in general. And a lower level science lab makes the building an "indis­pensible" part of the school system according to Clarke.