WOW Hall
Eugene, OR
About
291 West 8th Avenue, Eugene, OR, US
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541-687-2746
Capacity: 600
Bio: HISTORY OF W.O.W. HALL The corner of 8th and Lincoln has been a gathering place since the days of city founder Eugene Skinner. The first building erected on the site was a small church; it was replaced in 1883 by a First Presbyterian Church building that was considered one Eugene’s finest public structures. In 1880 the Woodmen of the World fraternal organization was formed in Omaha, Nebraska, and soon swept the western states. The Eugene chapter provided health benefits, life insurance and burial costs while undertaking charitable and recreational activities for children and adults. Women participated through a sister organization, the Women of Woodcraft. In 1906 the Woodmen bought the Presbyterian Church and renamed it Woodmen of the World Hall. The present building was constructed in 1932. An ambitious project during the Great Depression, it was, according to the Eugene Morning Register, the most expensive building constructed that year at a value of $8000 and considered, "modern in every detail." The very best of craftsmanship and materials were used with much of the work provided by volunteers. Of particular note was the beautiful hardrock maple ‘floating’ dance floor designed especially for square and ballroom dancing. Dances were held every Saturday night. ORIGIN OF THE CCPA In 1975 it was learned that the Hall would soon be sold and possibly demolished. To keep the building available to the community, a group of concerned users, performers, neighbors and historical preservation enthusiasts organized the Community Center for the Performing Arts, a nonprofit (501c3) corporation. On December 2, 1975, the leaseholder gave notice that he intended to exercise his option to sell the Hall. He informed 130 people who attended a basement meeting that he would give the community first option to buy the Hall for $75,000 but would need a $10,000 down payment within 13 days. To raise the money, supporters organized a WOWATHON: five days and nights of continuous entertainment! The WOWATHON began on Dec. 10 and, with support from the Oregon Country Fair, KLCC, KZEL and many others, the money was raised! The Hoedads Treeplanting Coorperative loaned $5000 to provide initial operating capital. Throughout its early years the CCPA faced one crisis after another. Time and again, community support would save the W.O.W. Hall. Volunteerism, a few grants, increasing attendance and severe austerity enabled the CCPA to pay off the Hall’s mortgage in 1983, completing the dream of making the facility, "community-owned and democratically operated." In 1996 the W.O.W. Hall was officially designated a historic landmark by the National Register of Historic Places. The Woodmen of the World Hall is one of the few historic buildings in the Eugene area that is primarily intact on its interior as well as its exterior. "No building has stronger connections to Eugene’s yeasty culture," noted the Register-Guard. Several projects have been completed to improve the Hall and reduce it’s sound impact on the neighborhood, including complete exterior restoration, installation of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and added insulation of the attic. Outside, the CCPA has taken a lead role in neighborhood preservation and improvements. Partial reconstruction of the sidewalk along Lincoln St. was completed in 2012. A City of Eugene Neighborhood Matching Grant funded bike racks and a fence to protect the alley tree with the WOW Hall’s volunteers donating over 100 hours of hard labor. The CCPA took additional action to save two of the big trees on Lincoln Street by agreeing to provide funding for annual monitoring and maintenance by an ISA Certified Arborist. This year the CCPA will complete interior restoration work that began with the assistance of the Kinsman Foundation. The Interior Historic Restoration Project includes the restoration of Main Hall woodwork, lighting and details; foyer and lobby floors; and finishes and details throughout the building. Work to return the publicly visible areas to their original historic character is funded by grants from the Kinsman Foundation, Oregon Cultural Trust and the Oregon Community Foundation. TODAY The CCPA is dedicated to providing a safe and friendly meeting place for the community, a place for appreciation of the arts for all ages and income levels, and a training ground for new generations. The organization prides itself on the diversity of local, regional, national and international performing artists. The Hall is also used for classes, workshops, workouts, meetings, rehearsals and recording sessions. The Lobby Art Gallery displays the work of a different regional artist each month. The CCPA runs on volunteer energy and volunteer training is provided monthly. Volunteers develop job skills while demonstrating dependability, punctuality and the ability to work as part of a team. The CCPA has involved thousands of volunteers, about half area teenagers. A volunteer Board of Directors meets monthly and oversees the overall operation of the Hall. The CCPA is committed to providing arts for all ages. In a community that needs more recreational opportunities for youth, the CCPA not only provides a space for young adults, teenagers and kids to enjoy live concerts, it actively involves youth in planning, promoting, performing at and staffing shows.
