Festival Halle renovations continue; committee issues plea for donations

by Tina McCloud REEDVILLE—Renovation of Festival Halle is continuing with the recent start of Phase 2.

“We’re moving right along, but there’s a lot to do,” said Diane McGuire, chairman of the Save Festival Halle committee.

Phase 1, now completed, included replacing structural joists, beams and subfloor and weatherproofing and conditioning the crawlspace.

The Phase 2 contract recently was awarded to Expert Construction of Richmond. This phase includes repairing drywall, installing new rear doors, enlarging the kitchen space for a certified commercial kitchen and bringing the restrooms up to ADA standards. This phase should be completed this month.

The former Reedville High School has been a landmark on Main Street since 1927.

It was converted by a previous owner into a community center. The Birkel family donated it to the Reedville Fishermen’s Museum (RFM), under the umbrella of the Greater Reedville Association (GRA), in 2009.

It was used for the museum’s outreach programs and by the community for proms, parties, receptions, class reunions and club events. It was closed to the public in 2022 after structural issues were discovered.

Since then the committee has planned a complete refurbishment and has undertaken the work as money is raised.

Once reopened in early 2026 it will be available for rent for events such as receptions and parties for up to 275 people, said committee member Bruce Samuelsen, treasurer of the GRA. RFM executive director Shauna McCranie is already fielding calls from people who want to schedule the space.

Use by the museum and the community will be just part of its rebirth. A separate restricted grant was awarded by GO Virginia, a state program to create an aquaculture and maritime innovation incubator program.

Counting grants and other fund-raising, $485,737 in unrestricted funding has been raised. This includes a previous challenge donation from Omega Protein, $250,000, and a new grant, $75,000, from The Cabell Foundation.

About $385,237 has been spent. That leaves a balance of about $100,500, which will be due to the contractor on completion of Phase 2.

The unrestricted funding on hand will be depleted after Phase 2 is completed, said McGuire. And there is still unfunded work to be done before the building can be reopened.

Funds are needed for a finished floor, an ADA-compliant ramp, lighting and landscaping on the exterior, conference/ training room furniture, and design of the commercial kitchen and its utilities, totaling about $150,000. This doesn’t include an unexpected expense of $32,000 for two new HVAC units, said McGuire.

“We would appreciate any donations to help raise the money to finish the work,” she said. She also is applying for additional grants.

While a healthy sum, $280,800, was awarded in the GO Virginia grant, the money cannot be used for the work still unfunded. The grant money is restricted to specific items needed to start an innovative watermen’s project.

This includes equipment for a commercial kitchen to process and package seafood for regional markets; workforce training and education; and a part-time staffer to manage activities at the building.

“We are so pleased to be able to provide a beautifully restored building for the community to enjoy in the near future,” said McCranie. “On behalf of the board of directors of the association, the museum and the Festival Halle committee, we are grateful for every dollar raised and donated toward the completion of this project.

“We hope you will consider making an end-of- year gift to Festival Halle. We are a nonprofit organization, and we’ll send you a thank you noting your contribution for tax deduction purposes,” she said. To donate money, services or labor, call 453-6529 or email office@rfmuseum.org.

Tina McCloud is public relations volunteer at the Reedville Fishermen’s Museum.

Some Festival Halle committee members look over what will be the new kitchen. An old kitchen wall was relocated to preserve an arch and millwork. Photo by Tina McCloud

Ceiling panels from the old kitchen, moved to replace damaged panels in an adjacent room, await painting. The chandeliers throughout the space will be unchanged for now. Photo by Tina McCloud