THOMASTON — Watts Hall Community Players, a community theater group whose mission is to bring folks of all ages and abilities to the stage, has received a $300,000 grant to support the renovation of historic Watts Hall. The preservation project is funded in part by the Save America’s Treasures grant program, through the Historic Preservation Fund, as administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

This award, matched by the town of Thomaston, the Davis Family Foundation, and private donations, will allow much needed safety and general use improvements.

This federal award and local support will provide for adding a new HVAC system, improving fire escapes, bathrooms, and kitchen facilities.

“We’ve done a lot with volunteer power and this will elevate the space to the next level,” said Watts Hall Community Players board president Daryl Hahn, in a news release.

The hall has been a gathering and performance space for Thomaston and surrounding Midcoast Maine communities since the turn of the 20th century. Now managed by the nonprofit group Watts Hall Community Arts, the hall hosts plays, musicals, concerts and community events of all kinds for all ages. The upgrades will improve use for current programming, increase building functionality for other local arts and community groups and preserve this historic building for future generations.

“We are extremely grateful for this department of interior award and the local community for rising to meet the match,” said Hahn. “Watts Hall Community Players and Community Arts are honored to be the stewards of this next phase. We are shown again and again the value of art, of historic preservation and our desire to gather under one roof.”

For questions or comments contact darylhahn@gmail.com.