I first came across this building before it was renovated, and found it intriguing. I'm not a history buff, but for some reason it really intrigued me. I could sense the history around it. It was for sale, and the thought that a developer would probably snatch it up for a McMansion saddened me.
About a year later I happened down that road again, and was thrilled to see the place spruced up with some informational displays. At last I knew some of the history behind the building, and about the local iron works I never knew existed.
The information displays describe the use of the building as a meeting hall for an African American fraternal order. Many of the brothers were workers in a fairly substantial ironworks. Another informational board describes the iron industry in this part of the county back in the day.
PG Parks and Rec has a web site (
visit link) with more information.