Grand Re-opening of Historic 130-Year-Old Vaughn Library Hall

Renovations undertaken by the latest owner, the Key Peninsula Historical Society, are nearly complete for the long-term project preserving the Vaughn Library Hall, which Pierce County has finally approved and permitted for events.

The hall was built in 1893 and served as a gathering place for many types of community events including potlucks, plays, weddings, dances, a voting station, and a library.

The last remaining of the many library and meeting halls that once dotted the Key Peninsula, the Vaughn Library Hall was in continuous use until 1956. The original building and its later additions have weathered the decades relatively intact.

The KPHS will be hosting an open house event on June 9, from 1 - 4 p.m. Parking is very limited, and the organizers ask visitors to use a free shuttle from Vaughn Elementary School. The bus is provided in cooperation with Key Peninsula Community Services and is ADA-compliant.

“We’re excited to have the community come and see what is theirs again,” said Cathy Williams, KPHS board president.

Refreshments will be provided, along with live music on the restored stage area. Music will be provided by the Dr. Roes Down Home Band and the Flying Fingers String Band. There is a newly purchased porta potty with water, also ADA compliant.

Displays in the hall will showcase the evolution of the building over time, including the most recent years of major restoration.

Also displayed are acknowledgments of major donors and contributors who have helped complete the project since its inception. Volunteers will be available to talk with visitors, along with written materials.

The 100-year-old building was in remarkably good structural condition when it was acquired in 2016 by the KPHS. However, many parts of the building required replacement, including wiring, flooring, and windows. Some of the original floor and wall decorations were restored and remain. The last phase of restoration will be a historically accurate shingle roof, to be completed in 2025.

“This is a grand event to end a long process,” said Joe Dervaes, the KPHS treasurer. “Over $600,000 in contributions from 30 contributors did a wonderful job restoring the hall to its original condition in the 1920s. It is quite an accomplishment for a small organization to tackle and complete. It took a dedicated army of volunteers, who put in 10,000 hours last year. This is an opportunity for the community to come and take a look.”

The Vaughn Library Hall will be available for rentals. KPHS board members are working out the details for fees, rules, and scheduling. Rental use is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2024.