Historic Bayfield Town Hall

 town hall, historic landmark

The Bayfield Town Hall was built in 1882 then moved to its present location on Clan Gregor Square in 1920. The Town Hall was the seat of village government from that date until 1927 and again from 1965 to 1984. When the village was disincorporated, the Hall was used for community events.

Renovations were completed in 1981 with financial support from the Federal Government and the Village. The bell from the old school was installed in the belfry. Over these years the Town Hall has been used for Council meetings, the Pottery Club held classes, Scouts, Guides, a place of worship, theatre and the Ever Young Club have met there.

In 1983, the village established a Heritage Conservation District which included the Town Hall. In 1984, the aging building was closed as it failed to meet fire code standards.

Bayfield residents had fond memories of the Hall as the centre of Village life. In 1989, a committee was formed to restore and re-energize the Town Hall which had fallen into disrepair. The committee, known as the "Friends of the Town Hall", included Michael Walker, Jamie Carr, Donna Westlake, Anne Waite, Gail Waters and Ed Oddleifson. This committee energized the community and, after several years of volunteer work and through fundraising events, private donations, and grants, monies were raised to restore and maintain this historic building as a meeting and performance site for the community. The restoration has maintained the integrity of the original structure; the gallery was restored through the generosity of the Trillium Foundation. The former village jail remains, uninhabited, in the basement.

The Bayfield Town Hall Heritage Society is a non-profit corporation charged with the upkeep of this charming building which is noted for its fine acoustics. All monies from rentals and fundraising events are directed to the Hall’s preservation (such as the 2007 home tour). When you visit, please note the historical plaque at the front entrance, the original jail cell on the lower level and the newly-restored gallery in the Main Room.