Memories of the Calls 26: Memorial Hall

In Rosalind's scrapbook is a clipping I will copy

"Robert Call Bought Morganville Hotel"

Coup of a Well-known Prohibition Worker

Negotiations were under way to convert the Hostelry into a Roadhouse and Mr. Call Saved his Community by Purchasing the Property

Robert Call of Stafford yesterday purchase of Mrs. Marietta Colson of Buffalo, the property know as the Brick Hotel at Morganville. There is about one acre of land in connection with the building and for several years the premises have been in a run down condition, but recently prospective buyers have been looking them over and efforts have been made to consents of adjoining property holders so that a license might be obtained in which event the place was to be re-opened as a hotel and roadhouse. Mr. Call, who is one of the leading Prohibitionists of the county, hearing of this, stepped in and bought the property, which he will put in good repair. 

The probability that the old tavern might again be opened as a place where liquor is sold need give no further anxiety to the dwellers in quiet Morganville. A clause in the deed given M. Call contains this provision: "This conveyance is made on the express condition that the property or any portion thereof shall at no time in the future be leased, used, or occupied for the sale of intoxicating liquor, or that no intoxicating liquors of any kind shall be kept, used, or stored in such buildings or any part thereof, or anywhere on the premises, and this condition in made a continuing condition running with the land forever, and binding upon said named grantee, his heirs, successors, or asigne."

It is sad that only one consent was lacking of the number necessary to the place a license, and that liberal overtures were made to the person whose consent was required, but steadfastly declined. The building was erected in 1834 and for many years was conducted as a hotel, but liquor has not been sold there, it is said, since the Civil War. It contains a hall 21 by 60, which has been used by the Morganville Lodge of Maccabees. 

Later it was announced that the building would be known as Call Memorial Hall, in memory of Charlotte Call. Another newspaper item says "The place has been fitted up and will be used as club rooms by the church society. It will make an ideal place for entertainments, reading rooms, etc. The hall has been newly decorated and 100 chairs placed in it, and it is nicely lighted. 

Previous to this time there has been no suitable place at Morganville for holding social gatherings, etc." 

_____

Patty's notes on this entry. 

The article mentioned in this entry was published on page 5 of the The Batavia Daily News on April 9, 1908.

 

On December 16, 1908 (page 8), an article ran in the Le Roy Gazette about what became known as Memorial Hall. Robert Call gave the building and land to the Morganville Church in honor of his late wife, Charlotte Joslin Call who died on September 27. 

Robert established an endowment of $ 500, and set up a yearly meeting to elect trustees. The first trustees included his children, Albert Henry Call, Charles Joslin Call, and Elizabeth Call Daniels. 

Robert included some interesting provisions in the conveyance of the property

"It is desired that two women trustees shall be members of the W.C.T.U. or Good Templars, as my wife was a member of both organizations. She organized the W.C.T.U. No one can be a trustee who indulges in intoxicating liquors. No gambling or games of chance where money or valuable thing is a consideration, is to be permitted on the premises. Profanity, smoking or dancing are prohibited in all buildings and barns on the grounds."

"The hall can be used for lectures and entertainments that may be helpful to the community. A reading room may be established in it, or a singing school. The W.C.T.U. shall have the use of it for a fee of $ 1 and for janitor work. The Prohibition Party, or any party having the same object (the destruction of the liquor traffic), shall have the use of it for $ 1; any other party at the cost of fuel, lights, janitor and $1."

Call Memorial Hall was sold by the Trustees of the Call Memorial Hall Association in 2017. The proceeds from the sale were donated to the Morganville United Church of Christ. You can read more about the sale at https://videonewsservice.net/index.php/2017/05/27/genesee-county-after-100-years-the-call-memorial-hall-sold-proceeds-donated-to-church-in-morganville/

Previous Post in the Series: Robert Call Benevolence

Next Post in the Series Robert Call's Views on Immigration