Cheshire Theatre and Meeting Hall, formerly Maccabee Hall and Cheshire Grange

The building group southwest of the Goodale Road intersection has always been the heart of Cheshire. The gable-fronted Cheshire Theatre and Meeting Hall, at the center of the group, was built in 1898 by the local chapter of the Knights of the Maccabees, a fraternal organization for rural families. In the 1920s, the Cheshire Grange assumed ownership. Under both groups, the hall was the center of Cheshire's social life and formal events. When the school had an event for the whole student body, such as an assembly or graduation ceremony, the Grange was used. It was the starting point for Cheshire parades, such as those in the historic views. The building hosted minstrel shows, concerts and plays, produced by the Cheshire Amusement Company. It was listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places in 2013 as a well-preserved example of a rural fraternal lodge hall. The interior features its original bead board walls and ceilings, a stage, and a c. 1940 custom-painted fabric stage backdrop featuring advertisements for local businesses. The current owner, Cheshire Community Action Team, plans to reopen the building for community entertainment, education and cultural programs.