Preservation Upper Falls Lodge 175
Donation protected
The purpose of the preservation of I.O.O.F. Lodge 175 campaign is to save this historical landmark located in Kingsville/Upper Falls, Baltimore County Maryland.
Due to circumstances beyond our control, the insurance carrier has required us to make mandatory repairs to the building to keep our insurance coverage. If we fail to make these mandatory repairs, the insurance will be canceled, and the lodge will be forced to close, most likely resulting in the sale of the property.
The required repairs consist of a new roof to include replacing all rotted facia and soffit wood, repairs to exterior siding, repairs to steps and railings and repairs to walkways and parking lot.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is a 501 (C) (8) fraternal non-profit organization.
About the building:
Although the exact date this building was erected is unknown, the Maryland Historical Trust dates this building as early as 1850. There are additional historical records and publications referencing this building at its location as early as 1800. The building was erected in three sections. The First and oldest section of the building is the original two-story structure with bell tower. This was the original Upper Falls school. Later, additions were added to the original building which include the hall, stage and kitchen areas.
Over the years this building has been utilized for a school, election hall, church services, a community center, a casino and currently as a lodge building for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, I.O.O.F. Lodge 175. In 1898, the U.S. State Department hosted a Japanese tea party on the property where Japanese dignitaries were entertained.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows I.O.O.F. Lodge 175 obtained this building in 1945 from the Upper Falls Permanent Building Association. Since then it has been the center of community activities to include dinners, dances, bingo, crab feast, pig roast, bull roast and many other activities over the years. The hall is often rented for private parties to include birthdays parties, bridal showers, baby showers, wake/memorial services, graduation parties, annual craft shows and other various activities. Other groups who have utilized this building over the years include. St. Stephens Church, Rebekah's Lodge 78, Boy Scouts, Upper Falls Dramatic Club, Upper Falls Cotillion Club and the Masonic Lodge of Maryland.
Although this building is recorded as a historic building with the Maryland State Historical Trust Inventory of Historical Properties, (BA-1184) the building is privately owned and maintained by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, I.O.O.F. Lodge 175. Because of this and the many modernized renovations that have been made to the interior of the building, there is very little or no government funding available to assist in the mandatory repairs required by our insurance carrier.
The building currently remains open for public activities through the use of its hall. The hall rentals are the only source of income for sustaining the building along with the support of a few local donors. Funds generated from the rentals pay all the utility bills, taxes and insurance, but are not enough to cover the cost of the required repairs to keep the building operating.
We, the members of I.O.O.F. Lodge 175, being residents of the community of Kingsville/Upper Falls are spearheading this fundraising campaign for the preservation of this building because we want to ensure that it continues to serve as a lodge for our members as well as a local community gathering location. It is an important treasure in our community and an important local historical landmark.
Our goal is to raise a minimum of $25,000 by August of 2018 because there is a lot of work to be done and we have a mandatory deadline for completed repairs.
If we exceed our fundraising goals the surplus will be put towards painting the exterior of the building, replacement of the second story windows, and for projects which give back to our community via scholarships and other programs.
This building is located in a very visible high traffic area of Kingsville/Upper Falls. If we fail to make the mandatory repairs to the building as required by our insurance carrier, I.O.O.F. Lodge 175 we be forced to close. As this is one of only a few commercial properties in Kingsville/Upper Falls, it is unknown what could eventually be put in its place.
For more information about the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, please visit us at;
www.ioof.org.
We ask for your financial support today to help us restore this historic building. Your generous contribution of $5, $10, $20, $50 or more dollars will help preserve an important and historical building in Kingsville/Upper falls.
If you would like to donate directly to our campaign, please feel free to mail us a check made payable to: I.O.O.F. Lodge 175
On the MEMO line of the check please indicate that your donation is for the “Preservation of I.O.O.F. Lodge 175” campaign.
Mail your donation to;
I.O.O.F. Lodge 175
P.O. BOX 65
Upper Falls, MD 21156
If you are interested in renting our hall, we may be reached at (410) [phone redacted].
If you are interested in additional information regarding the Odd Fellows or would like to become a member of our lodge, please call or email us at “[email redacted]”.
Due to circumstances beyond our control, the insurance carrier has required us to make mandatory repairs to the building to keep our insurance coverage. If we fail to make these mandatory repairs, the insurance will be canceled, and the lodge will be forced to close, most likely resulting in the sale of the property.
The required repairs consist of a new roof to include replacing all rotted facia and soffit wood, repairs to exterior siding, repairs to steps and railings and repairs to walkways and parking lot.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is a 501 (C) (8) fraternal non-profit organization.
About the building:
Although the exact date this building was erected is unknown, the Maryland Historical Trust dates this building as early as 1850. There are additional historical records and publications referencing this building at its location as early as 1800. The building was erected in three sections. The First and oldest section of the building is the original two-story structure with bell tower. This was the original Upper Falls school. Later, additions were added to the original building which include the hall, stage and kitchen areas.
Over the years this building has been utilized for a school, election hall, church services, a community center, a casino and currently as a lodge building for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, I.O.O.F. Lodge 175. In 1898, the U.S. State Department hosted a Japanese tea party on the property where Japanese dignitaries were entertained.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows I.O.O.F. Lodge 175 obtained this building in 1945 from the Upper Falls Permanent Building Association. Since then it has been the center of community activities to include dinners, dances, bingo, crab feast, pig roast, bull roast and many other activities over the years. The hall is often rented for private parties to include birthdays parties, bridal showers, baby showers, wake/memorial services, graduation parties, annual craft shows and other various activities. Other groups who have utilized this building over the years include. St. Stephens Church, Rebekah's Lodge 78, Boy Scouts, Upper Falls Dramatic Club, Upper Falls Cotillion Club and the Masonic Lodge of Maryland.
Although this building is recorded as a historic building with the Maryland State Historical Trust Inventory of Historical Properties, (BA-1184) the building is privately owned and maintained by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, I.O.O.F. Lodge 175. Because of this and the many modernized renovations that have been made to the interior of the building, there is very little or no government funding available to assist in the mandatory repairs required by our insurance carrier.
The building currently remains open for public activities through the use of its hall. The hall rentals are the only source of income for sustaining the building along with the support of a few local donors. Funds generated from the rentals pay all the utility bills, taxes and insurance, but are not enough to cover the cost of the required repairs to keep the building operating.
We, the members of I.O.O.F. Lodge 175, being residents of the community of Kingsville/Upper Falls are spearheading this fundraising campaign for the preservation of this building because we want to ensure that it continues to serve as a lodge for our members as well as a local community gathering location. It is an important treasure in our community and an important local historical landmark.
Our goal is to raise a minimum of $25,000 by August of 2018 because there is a lot of work to be done and we have a mandatory deadline for completed repairs.
If we exceed our fundraising goals the surplus will be put towards painting the exterior of the building, replacement of the second story windows, and for projects which give back to our community via scholarships and other programs.
This building is located in a very visible high traffic area of Kingsville/Upper Falls. If we fail to make the mandatory repairs to the building as required by our insurance carrier, I.O.O.F. Lodge 175 we be forced to close. As this is one of only a few commercial properties in Kingsville/Upper Falls, it is unknown what could eventually be put in its place.
For more information about the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, please visit us at;
www.ioof.org.
We ask for your financial support today to help us restore this historic building. Your generous contribution of $5, $10, $20, $50 or more dollars will help preserve an important and historical building in Kingsville/Upper falls.
If you would like to donate directly to our campaign, please feel free to mail us a check made payable to: I.O.O.F. Lodge 175
On the MEMO line of the check please indicate that your donation is for the “Preservation of I.O.O.F. Lodge 175” campaign.
Mail your donation to;
I.O.O.F. Lodge 175
P.O. BOX 65
Upper Falls, MD 21156
If you are interested in renting our hall, we may be reached at (410) [phone redacted].
If you are interested in additional information regarding the Odd Fellows or would like to become a member of our lodge, please call or email us at “[email redacted]”.
Organizer
Upper Falls Odd Fellows
Organizer
Upper Falls, MD