Work is moving rapidly on the interior of the hall. The tin ceiling in the upper hall has been restored. Air conditioning is being installed and the old boiler is working, adding much needed heat for cold days. There is new electrical wiring everywhere. The newly updated bathrooms are moving along.  

Volunteers have begun to paint the upper hall walls and wainscoting. The woodwork around the windows is being prepped as are the windows and soon they will be painted and repaired.

Last summer we cleaned the exterior. Years of dirt were removed and the brick is red again.

 To date we have spent close to $200,000 and it will take another $300,000 to get the interior and exterior finished, half of which will come from our state bond bill. At that point we can start raising money for the elevator and the new kitchen. Ini total we will have over $1 million invested in the building when it is completed, not to mention the hard work of our volunteers.

We are in need of cash donations to continue our progress. Although we have money pleged from the state and the Weingberg foundation, most of these dollars are tied to matching funds and certain completion targets. We appreciate donations at any level.

If you would like to see the progress in person we will be holding a bullroast at the hall in May to support the continued renovations.

The Polish Home Hall at 4416 Fairhaven Avenue in Curtis Bay began its existence as the administrative offices and fire house for Curtis Bay – which was, at the time part of Anne Arundel County.  After Baltimore City annexed Curtis Bay and Brooklyn, the building was briefly used as a manufacturing plant. In 1925, the United Polish Societies of Curtis Bay purchased the property.  The money for the purchase was raised by donations from members of the society.  A plaque honoring the original donors still exists and will be returned to the hall when it is reopened. 

In 2003, the hall was deeded to the Brooklyn and Curtis Bay Coalition, Inc., a nonprofit community development corporation.  The Coalition has secured a Maryland State Bond commitment which must be matched dollar for dollar.  The total renovation, including an elevator to provide handicapped access to the second floor, is expected to cost more than one million dollars. 

The Polish Home Hall holds a host of memories for those who attended holiday parties, dances, weddings and baptisms in the building’s meeting spaces and hall.  With your help, we can make it come to life again as the heart of our improving community. The dance floor and stage will be the perfect setting for youth arts programs and a host of community uses.

Today, all of the non-historical alterations have been removed and the restoration work is underway.  If you would like to contribute to the restoration, you can make a tax deductible donation today to:  Brooklyn and Curtis Bay Coalition, PO Box 19777, Baltimore MD 21225