Restoration of Harvey Hall

We are seeking funds to kick start repairs on the Harvey Hall's roof.  Once structural repairs have been completed we will be putting a new roof on the building. However there are a few leaks that need to be fixed ASAP to ensure there is no further damage to the interior. Every dollar helps! Thank you so much!

Harvey Hall's background:
Located in Southeastern NB, The Harvey Hall was established in 1887. It provided a communal space for the local & regional society to host agricultural and other social events throughout the year. At that time, the community surrounding Harvey was a prosperous area with major economic drivers, such as: lumber, shipbuilding, commercial fishing and agricultural development.  In the early 1870’s the community decided there was a need for a community gathering place. Land was donated near the community center of the Harvey Cross Road and the Harvey Bank Road, now known as Mary’s Point Road. 

Major fundraising efforts were made in the community by several key groups including The Ladies Sewing Circle and several local businessmen. As this was to be a pillar within the community there was great thought and effort put into the overall design. It was constructed in the Queen Anne Style and likely influenced, if not defined and lead by, the local Reid Brothers, both internationally celebrated architects. There are also several other buildings built in this style (Queen Anne) within the larger, Albert Country, area. 

Once erected in 1884, the Hall served many functions for the Harvey community including, but not limited to, the Albert County Exhibition, general gathering place for any community event, parties, weddings, anniversary’s and even served as an impromptu grammar schoolhouse for a time. In more recent years the Hall has served in much the same capacity with a heavier focus being placed on musical and community events. 

Being a pride of the community for over 130 years, the Hall has been passed through the generations of volunteers and torchbearers with the same single minded effort: maintaining this hugely culturally important site as a pillar within the region. As the region’s rural community has aged the Hall’s dwindling Board faced many challenges maintaining the building, which has recently fallen into disrepair. However, with an influx of young families to the community, and increased tourism, the current Board is extremely optimistic that the Hall can be restored to its former self.  As the most recent torch bearers for the Harvey Hall, the current board of directors take no exception in their resolve to restore this historic building to its former grandeur as the central gathering place for the Albert County area. 

In 1866 Harvey was a farming settlement with approximately 50 resident families: in 1871 Harvey was a station on the European and North American Railway and had a population of 200: in 1898 Harvey was a port of entry with 1 post office, 3 stores, 1 hotel, 2 churches and a population of 260. Harvey had a post office from 1839 to 1951.