History of the Marietta Community House
Become a part of history and plan your upcoming wedding or event at The Marietta Community House.
In 1871, Dr. John Huston commissioned the house be built on 264 West Market Street, Marietta, for his nephew. No one from the Huston family ever lived there and in 1875 it was sold to Amos Bowman, a local banker and entrepreneur. It remained a private residence until 1909 when it was sold.
It was purchased by Edith A. Gilliland, wife of Dr. S. H. Gilliland and converted to a sanitarium named the Pines. The sanitarium administered the Pasteur rabies vaccine consisting of 21 painful injections to (mostly) children at the Pines. An extremely strict regimen needed to be followed and the children remained at the Pines during the administration series.
The building was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Henry S. Hiestand in 1919 as World War 1 was ending. They generously donated the house to the community of Marietta and formed a corporation called The Marietta Community House. The Marietta Community House was formally dedicated on December 30, 1919, in memory of their son, Lt. Benjamin Hiestand, U. S. A. S. He died at the age of 19, the previous year, June 10, 1918, while instructing a cadet in flying. A picture of Benjamin Hiestand hangs in the front fireplace room. The dedication ceremony consisted of lighting a fire in the hearth to symbolize a “community spirit towards all of Marietta’s young men who had left their homes to serve in WWI.” The stated purpose of the corporation was for the “promotion of the spiritual, intellectual, educational, social, and physical welfare of men, women and children.
Shortly after establishing The Marietta Community House, discussion commenced regarding the need for a gymnasium within the borough. The Board of Directors initiated a building project and within a short time the residents of Marietta raised over $30,000 for the construction. In 1920, many citizens, including children, worked all hours of the day and night to dig the foundation of the building. contractor was hired to erect the facility and within three months the project was completed. A cornerstone was laid on November 12, 1920. It has been cared for and maintained under the auspices of The Marietta Community house. Today a Board of Directors consisting of 15 community members monitors the facility, provides outreach and support to the community, and maintains the property. We renamed the Gymnasium to Studio 264 to better reflect its current role in our community. For over 100 years, The Marietta Community House has served as a gathering place, public service facility, and haven for the people of Marietta.
Building on our Mission Statement/A Timeline of Community Service
1920
- Organization of the William Brenner Post, No. 466, American Legion, incorporated in 1921
- Completion of the Gymnasium – used as by Marietta High School until 1936
- Development of a Public Library – continued until the 1950s
1930
- Founding of a Well Baby Clinic – operated into the 1950s
- Soup Kitchen and Coal Distribution during the Great Depression
- Red Cross Center during a major flood
1942
- Events to encourage the purchase of War Bonds during WWII
1950
- Meeting Place for various National and Community Clubs including the Boy Scouts.
- Meeting Place for the early Congregational Bible Church (Community Bible Church)
1972
- Red Cross Center during a major flood, Agnes
1980
- Pennsylvania School of the Arts prior to their move to Lancaster in 1982 and becoming the Pennsylvania College of Art and Design
- Youth Group of Congregational Bible Church held Meetings and Events.
2008
- The birth of the Susquehanna Stage Company. They stayed for 10 fabulous years and shared great Theatre with the Community.
2019
- Our Focus is on the Community. Children’s Festival, Networking Party for the Community of Local Volunteers, annual Veterans Day Ceremony and Commemoration. Yearly Fund Raisers, Garden Tour and Auction.
- The Gymnasium is now Studio 264 and we look forward to Hosting Many Community Events.
- The Marietta Community House is refurbished and ready to Host Your Event
The Marietta Community House is a 501 ( c ) 3 nonprofit corporation under IRS regulation. You can become a member and join with us in supporting the Marietta Community.
