The Glen Williams Town Hall at 1 Prince Street is a one-storey Colonial Cape Cod-style community hall constructed between 1870-1871 by local builder Walter McKay. The red brick hall was opened on May 24th, 1871 with a patriotic concert in honour of the Queen’s birthday. The hall had wooden floor with a stove at the centre near the back. The front had a long raised stage, also of wood construction.
The first request came in August 1871 when the Wesleyan Methodist Church requested use of the Hall for services on every second Sunday afternoon and the Sabbath School would use it alternate Sundays. This was granted as long as they paid to have chairs made. Rentals began in 1873 when the Trustees had two requests – one from the Glen Band for practices and concerts and one from the English Church (Anglican) for divine services. The price was fixed at $24 per annum, if they provided their own light and fuel! A daily rate of $2 was fixed, with out fuel or light. As trustees resigned or died, they were replaced by another Glen resident. They met as needed, often three times a year. The Hall was always busy. Besides the Temperance Society, the band and two churches, political meetings were held as needed and this was the polling station for all elections. Fraternal workers associations and the Loyal Orange Lodge met here. Christmas concerts from the school, recitations and music recitals became regular features. Even traveling medicine shows with a live bear and fiery preachers used the stage to good effect. With the advent of electricity, hydro bills could be paid here monthly. In the 20th century, dances were introduced with live bands playing on the stage. Lucy Maud Montgomery staged many works here with her Union Dramatic Players. In 1949, the school house bell tower collapsed when a new addition was being constructed. Classes opened in the Town Hall in September. After such extensive use for decades, the Hall was in bad shape. In 1953, the Board was offered $1000 for the property, which would be demolished. The offer was rejected. In September 1953, the Hall was leased to the Board of Education, effectively ending its service as a community hall. The Hall Board held informal meetings thereafter. Clayton Allen, who joined the board in 1953, became the caretaker of the place. When the school finished with the place, it was used returned to the community for a time. Teenage dances under the auspices of St. Alban’s were held with a live band and DJ, while the United Church held bake and rummage sales. The need for repairs prompted the trustees to lease the hall out for furniture storage. On 1 January 1974, Esquesing Township (which included Glen Williams) was absorbed by the Town of Halton Hills.
