REJUVENATION: the Embodiment of the Town Hall’s Spirit

As it states in the first words of this website, “The Tomales Town Hall has been at the center of civic life in Tomales  for almost 150 years.” So it feels strange and unfamiliar to have this not be so during the year-long pandemic. Though I am a serious introvert, I am becoming aware of how much I miss actually being there in the midst of friends and neighbors. (Those of you who know me well will probably be as surprised as I am at this statement!)

As someone who loves the old Hall, I’ve also realized that I actually miss experiencing its physical presence—its generous, high-ceilinged space for meeting with friends and neighbors, sharing music, food, and conversation; its funny, familiar quirks—the Girls and Boys restroom signs, the peephole in the anteroom’s door; and being welcomed outside by the Buckeye Lot with its dramatic, namesake tree. But I realize, too, that this will pass, and we’ll all have the Town Hall back eventually. (So wash your hands, wear your masks, and—as soon as you can—get your vaccinations. We are getting there!)

Our focus on Rejuvenation has temporarily changed because we’ve had to put our fundraising energy toward maintenance of the regular operating fund—ordinarily taken care of by renting the building once or twice a month for seminars or social events. (And thank you all for your generous contributions to this emergency fund. Donations may be made in several ways at the DONATE section of this site.) All of us involved with the Tomales Town Hall are learning and reaching, in spite of pandemic-driven set-backs, large and small.  And we can see the flickering light at the tunnel’s end.

So please stay with us, keeping in touch with this blog, and especially with the strong spirit of the Town Hall community. We may not see the completion of Rejuvenation in time for the Hall’s 150th anniversary as we’d planned. But we feel so fortunate to be part of its ongoing history and spirit, and we know that most of you do, too.

The project’s volunteer construction team is currently working on estimating and budgeting for the project’s Phase One, and we are consulting about details with our architect. The Capital Campaign Committee meets by Zoom once a month to make Rejuvenation fund-raising plans. I am working on a comprehensive Case Statement (something I’d no idea existed a year ago!) to present to potential major donors and foundations.

The last line of the site’s introductory message states: “One of the oldest continually-used community buildings in California, the Hall's simple, multi-layered architecture reflects its long and practical history and the always-evolving spirit of its community.” And this is, I realize, the point—the reason the old place means so much to so many of us. The Hall evolves with its constituents, with all of us, as it always has. Even as I write this and you read it, as we juggle the funding to keep the taxes paid and the power on, we can also anticipate the next phase. Thanks to you all for reading this, and for being part of what we do and care about. Here’s to a spring and summer of good things.

The Tomales Town Hall, summer 2020, photographed by Peter Thoshinsky. Small patio and side entry will be inset beyond stucco facade.

Architect Mark Hulburt’s rendering of lower lever interior through front door, view east.

Rendering of basement space view north, kitchen directly opposite proposed “window wall” / side entry. (Mark Hulburt, architect)