Our Story
The mission of the Hiram Cultural Center is to enrich educational, literary and cultural lives through charitable support of Soldiers Memorial Library and The Arts Center at 8 Hancock.
Soldiers Memorial Library is located at 85 Main Street, Hiram, Maine, 04041. The Arts Center at 8 Hancock is located next door at 8 Hancock Avenue, Hiram, Maine, 04041. The HCC mailing address is 85 Main Street, Hiram, Maine, 04041.
The Hiram Cultural Center (HCC) is a merger of Soldiers Memorial Library and the Arts Center at 8 Hancock. How did the Hiram Cultural Center come to be? Three factors aligned!
First, the church next to the library donated its building to the Friends of Soldiers Memorial Library (FoSML), a nonprofit created to enhance the library's charitable work. That former church would become The Arts Center at 8 Hancock. Second, the board of the library and others began discussions about how to economically revitalize Hiram Village, utilizing its amazing resources such as the Historical Society, Community Center and Library; access to the Saco River and Mt. Cutler; community conscious businesses; and an active citizenry. Third and finally, the town's auditors recommended the town follow the path of many other Maine towns and enable the library to operate independently, while providing on-going, financial support to the important library resource townspeople have relied on since 1915.
The result: Since January 1, 2021, The Hiram Cultural Center is official! The new nonprofit, which now operates in two adjacent buildings - the library and the arts center - is committed to boosting Hiram's liveliness and attractiveness to long-time and new-coming families by providing entertainment, education and cultural enrichment for all ages.
The HCC is incredibly fortunate to have a loyal team of energetic volunteers. They plan and direct programming and fundraisers, including the annual BBB event, a fall bulb sale, sale of lunches at the annual Hiram Town Meeting, and other catering events. Proceeds from these plus the $3,000+ donated by year-round and summer residents of Hiram during an annual membership campaign provides more than $5,500 for the HCC's programs. Thank you, volunteers and supporters!
The History of the
ARTS CENTER at 8 HANCOCK Building
The building was built in 1885 as a Methodist Church. The major donor was Freeman Hatch 1814-1904. At one point he owned what is now called Four Corners Store, and the four corners were called Hatch's Corner. The large stained-glass window in front is in honor of his father William Hatch (1775-1872).
The church became Congregational, then Community Church, and was given to the Friends of Soldiers Memorial Library in 2016. The building was raised in the 1990s to create the lower level we know today.
Two of the original ministers' chairs are in the Great Ossipee Museum of Hiram Historical Society, along with a photograph of the beautiful original interior.
The Arts Center at 8 Hancock is the home of the Sacopee Valley Community Band!
“The Sacopee Valley Community Band began in March 2007 and has continued to this day with over 25 members from our local communities. We play many local events, have been in parades and played at the Ossipee and Fryeburg Fairs. Our director is Dr. Cassie Dove and current officers are Jim Hannaford, Cindy Nugent, Wendi Bailey, and Steve Crockett. [Last year we] hosted a fundraiser for Save the Children in Ukraine that raised almost $3,000. Our home base is the Arts center in Hiram, Maine where we practice every Thursday night at 6pm.” -Dr. Cassie Dove, Director
The Hiram Cultural Center is a satellite site for Sacopee Valley Adult & Community Education!
Visit https://sacopee.maineadulted.org for more information and online course catalogue or call (207) 625-3092 to register.
Death Cafe facilitated by SML librarian Cait Bushnell
Monday, May 6th from 10:00-11:00am at Soldiers Memorial Library
A Death Cafe is a safe place where you, your family, and your friends can share stories, question reality, and hear new voices as we ponder the mystery of death and dying. Death Cafes are not grief sessions or bereavement groups, but rather interesting and inviting gatherings held around the world to increase awareness of the importance of making the most of this life as we ponder what we know about death. Everyone is welcome at this open, relaxed, spontaneous discussion. Please join us.
Aging Well and Happy with Marianne Wyer
Three Tuesdays - May 7th, 14th & 21st from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Class topic and discussion of getting older, living longer, and enjoying the process: What is a Blue Zone? What’s love got to do with it? What moves you? What is in your genes? Let’s explore these questions and share the journey! Please pre-register as we need a minimum of 4 people to run the course.
