Ritchie: Budget Includes $100,000 for Restoration of Pickens Hall

Funding Will Help Complete Reconstruction of the “Opera House”

State Senator Patty Ritchie has announced the new State Budget will include $100,000 in funding to help complete the restoration of Heuvelton’s historic Pickens Hall.

The funding—which is included in a portion of the budget aimed at preserving historic properties—will be used to complete the restoration of the third floor of Pickens Hall, commonly known as the “Opera House.” Historically, the space was used for music and cultural performances.  Once restored, the third floor will again host musical performances, as well as meetings and other community events. 

“For more than a decade, a group of dedicated community members in Heuvelton have been working tirelessly to restore Pickens Hall to its former glory,” said Senator Ritchie.  “I’m thrilled to have helped deliver this funding, which will help to complete the final stages of restoring Pickens Hall and make this historic building once again the hub of our local community.”

Built in 1858, Pickens Hall first contained a post office, a meeting hall, the original Pickens General Store, an opera hall and was home to the Heuvelton Bee newspaper.   Decades later in 2001, after learning of plans to demolish the building, the Heuvelton Historical Association began work to save the historic structure.  Since then, the group has worked with community members to raise funds to restore the first two floors of the building.