Mapleton Hall History

Mapleton Hall, current home of The Suffield Players, was completed in 1883 as a Grange Hall to serve the local community.  The Suffield Players became a tenant in 1978, moving from Suffield High  School. 

The Mapleton Hall Association found they no longer needed the  facility as a Grange and sold the building and property to The Suffield  Players in 1999, knowing the theatre company would take good care of the  historic building and maintain its history.  Since taking ownership,  The Suffield Players have renovated the interior and exterior, with an  eye toward maintaining its historic features.

Mapleton Hall (originally named Central Hall) was completed in 1883 as the area's meeting hall for farmers, becoming the Grange Hall in 1885.   Located on Crooked Lane, which was later renamed Mapleton Avenue, its  importance grew and the North and South Halls had to be added in 1896 .  May “Pancake Breakfasts” and evening entertainments drew crowds off the  Hartford-Springfield Trolley line.  The basement was a full kitchen with  brick grills, stoves, white china, and monogrammed silver to host the  throngs of guests.  The Grange Society continued to thrive until  industry began to overtake agriculture in local significance.  The  Grange Society dwindled in membership, turning over management to the  Mapleton Hall Association who rented out the Hall to more groups like  the Suffield Players.  The Players have been the sole owner ever since,  intent on restoring the building while providing arts and cultural  activities for a long time to come.