A First Glimpse of Winchester: The Old Town Hall and Its Stories
The first time we drove through Winchester Ontario, we were there to see a house we were interested in putting an offer on. My husband and I drove down Winchester’s main street, and I tried picturing myself living in this cute little town.
Oh look, I thought… they have a pharmacy and a pizza place. We drove a little further and spotted another pizza place… and then another one. We may have just been hungry, or maybe Winchester really does have a great selection of pizza joints!
I saw the quaint corner park at the corner of Main street and Saint Lawrence where neighbors gathered, the cow poles that hinted at the town’s rural charm, and the old buildings that looked like they had so many stories to tell.
But one building, in particular, caught my eye.
At first glance, it didn’t stand out much from the others—until I noticed its towering bell tower. It was so cool, and I wondered if it still had a bell in it. I did a quick internet search to learn more about the building and to see if the bell was still there—and if so, whether it was still being used. I read that it had once been used for celebrations and to alert the town of emergencies long ago. While it no longer housed a bell, it still held a presence, as if whispering echoes of the past. That’s when I knew I wanted to know more about the Winchester Old Town Hall—a building that has watched over the town for more than a century.
I was hoping to find something juicy about the building’s history… and boy, did I ever!
Built in 1904 for just $5,000, its red-brick walls have held more than just meetings and social gatherings—they’ve held history.
In 1906, it became the town’s library, where eager minds once flipped through pages of adventure and discovery until 1961. But books weren’t the only stories shared here. During the 1920s, the hall transformed into a bustling entertainment hub, hosting plays, silent films, concerts, and dances—a place where the community came together under the glow of stage lights.
Then came a more unexpected chapter. For 65 years, this charming town hall also served as a jail. Behind iron bars, it confined those who had strayed from the law, adding a stark contrast to its otherwise lively history. Even today, if you step inside, you can still see the barred windows and the original cell doors, standing as silent reminders of its past. In the 1970s, it briefly became the headquarters for the Ontario Provincial Police, layering yet another role onto its ever-changing identity.
But like any good story, this one comes full circle. Since 1996, the Old Town Hall has once again become a place for gathering—this time, through the arts. The Dundas County Players call it home, filling its stage with theatre performances, cabarets, and dinner theatre. It also hosts A Night at the Movies, concerts, and community events, once again bringing people together.
I went to one of the movie nights at the Old Town Hall, and it was so cute. As soon as we walked in, I could smell the popcorn. The old brick walls inside, as you walk toward the theatre room, made it feel like the building itself had so many stories to tell.
Standing in front of it that first day, I didn’t know its full history. I only knew that something about it felt special. Now, I understand why. The Winchester Old Town Hall is more than just a building—it’s a storyteller, holding the past within its walls and inviting the future through its doors.
Kelly
Kevin & Kelly Photography
