Get In Touch
info@mariettacommunityhouse.org
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.
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.