Our Story
Mission Statement
Watts Hall Community Arts is committed to ensuring that Watts Hall continues the proud tradition of enriching community life in Thomaston and Midcoast Maine. Our mission is to ensure that this historic building continues to serve as a center for community engagement while promoting the Hall as a premier arts and entertainment venue that contributes to the heart and soul of a vibrant Main Street.
Watts Hall, on Thomaston’s Main Street, reflects the community’s history as “The Town That Went to Sea”.
Samuel Watts, one of the town’s many successful sea captains and ship builders (also one of this country’s first millionaires), built a large brick building on the corner of Knox and Main streets and gave it to the Town of Thomaston in 1890. In June 1915, the Watts Block burned to the ground. Capt. Watts’ daughter Mary Jane Watts was instrumental in having the building rebuilt in honor of her late father.
In the more than 100 years since, Watts Hall has been the home of the town’s police department and Town Office, now located in the former Lura Libby School; countless municipal and community meetings; weddings, memorials, dances and parties; and a wide variety of performing and visual arts events. Watts Hall Community Arts is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit tasked by the Town of Thomaston, Maine, to manage and promote use of the second floor of this historic downtown building for both private and public events.
