| May 15, 2005
The Mass. Memories Road Show was invited by
ACT Roxbury
for a program entitled "Memories of Hibernian
Hall and the OIC Program: A Return to Roxbury’s
Past in Support of Its Future."
A lively crowd gathered to share their memories
of Hibernian Hall at this first annual reunion of
Irish and African-Americans who remember Hibernian
Hall or the OIC Training Program at 184 Dudley Street.
Hibernian Hall was built in 1913 by the Ancient
Order of Hibernians and was the site of social activity
for the Irish community for nearly 50 years. It
later became the headquarters of the Opportunities
Industrialization Center (OIC), an international
training program founded by the late Rev. Leon Sullivan.
Madison Park Development Corporation has completely
renovated the building into the Roxbury Center for
Arts at Hibernian Hall (RCAHH), which features a
two-story performance space and ballroom.
A number of the attendees brought photos and other
memorabilia to the event, which were scanned by
MSP staff and added to the Mass.
Memories Road Show database. Guests also enjoyed
viewing photos of the era compiled by Susan Gedutis
for her book, See You at the Hall.
The event was sponsored by ACT
Roxbury, the Consulate
General of Ireland, the Irish
Immigration Center, the Irish
Cultural Center, Comhaltas Ceolteoiri Eireann,
the Ancient Order
of Hibernians, ICCUSA and The
Boston Irish Reporter.
|
