The Plymouth History Center has a unique history of its own as it has the building, and its uses, have evolved over time.
Plymouth Town Hall - 1885-1961
In April 1885, local farmer Charles Farrington donated part of his pasture for the site to become home of Plymouth Town Hall. Plymouth approved spending $2,625 and hired local carpenter Clem Mengelkoch and Tom Ditter. Construction of the building was finished in the fall of 1885, featuring cedar shingles, wainscoting, a stage to hold meetings and a wood burning stove. A road was put in soon after called Town Hall Cross Road, now Fernbrook Lane.
The building was the center of town both geographically and socially. Town Hall held board meetings, elections, special meetings and social gatherings. Special events included boxing matches and a food pantry during the Great Depression.
Council meetings were continuously held at town hall until the late 1950s. However, by 1961, the 1885 building ceased to be used as Plymouth’s town hall. At that time the original town hall building transitioned to a storage facility for the city.
Plymouth Historical Society - 1975-2020
The Plymouth Historical Society, a non-profit all volunteer organization, was founded in 1975 with its first initiative to preserve the historic town hall.
The City of Plymouth donated the building for historical society use. The preservation efforts included moving the town hall several hundred feet west from its original location and placing the original building on a new concrete block foundation that was excavated to include a full basement. An addition was added to the west end of the first floor. Building services were introduced, including internal plumbing, forced air heating and furnace, and a security alarm system.
By 1981, the building was re-opened to the public as a museum. The Plymouth Historical Society consisted of more than 120 residents who served on the board or as members. Many gave time, money or personal items to keep local history alive here in Plymouth.
By 2013, the city began contributing financially to maintain the building and fund programing, and by 2018 the museum was staffed by city employees until closing in March 2020.
Plymouth History Center - Present Day
The Plymouth Historical Society experienced a multi-year closure that resulted from a burst water pipe in the basement during the pandemic, March 2020.
From 2020-2024, staff and volunteers used the closure as an opportunity to making repairs, reorganize and catalogue items and give the building a makeover. Staff also worked to develop new, relevant programming designed to compel a curiosity for learning about Plymouth's history.
In 2024, the building reopened it's doors to the public with a grand reopening ceremony Aug. 3, 2024 with a new name – the Plymouth History Center.
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