Since 1891, the Music Hall has been an idyllic little hand me down.

And for the third time in its history the town will revitalize the hall, which has hosted everything from Tabor commencements to funerals.

“It’s so vital to the town. It’s about building the community,” said Christina Bascom. “A lot of good things happen here.”

Bascom, a member of the Music Hall Advisory Committee, said efforts are underway to restore the hall. Its roof is leaking, and water has also weakened the foundation. The committee oversees the hall and offers advice to Selectmen on hall projects.

Last month, Facilities Manager Shaun Cormier told Selectmen major repairs were required. On a recent tour, he pointed to a foundation that is crumbling – literally.

In the basement, he scraped a wall with his hand and pieces of brick flaked off. “You can see it's in pretty bad shape,” he said.

The culprit is moisture, and Cormier has taken steps to slow the deterioration. Additionally, resident and architect Bill Saltonstall is working with Cormier to develop a system to pump away water.

Community Preservation Act funds will be sought to repair the basement, Bascom said.

However, those funds may not be available for roof repairs. Cormier said the work should be done soon though to prevent further damage.

“The roof will be my priority,” he said. “It’s something you have to stay on top of. The longer you wait the more it’s going to cost.”

It was about 20 years ago when the building last had an overhaul. At the time, it faced many of the same issues when an anonymous person stepped forward with a $500,000 donation.

Half went to construction costs. The other half went to a special fund overseen by the Sippican Historical Society. Each year, five percent of the money in the historical society's account is given to a restoration fund. The donor specified that the money be used for repairs. The town pays for the hall’s operational costs, which amount to about $20,000 per year.

Bascom described the arrangement as a “public and private partnership,” adding that the committee is dedicated to revitalizing the hall.

A similar restoration occurred in 1947. A newspaper article from the time described how the town stepped forward after a period of disuse, “Windows sagged out, the plumbing disintegrated and the paint disappeared,” it read. The same article read that the hall hosted, “Every kind of town function was held, such as dances, receptions, Tabor commencements and even public funerals.”

After those renovations, the hall became the Veterans of Foreign Wars post headquarters for years.

While recent renovations are focused on the roof and the basement, other repairs are planned too. The main hall and reading room will be painted, floors will be refinished and the reading room will be spruced up with furniture.

Additionally, the committee recently announced two significant donations – an audio system and 150 new chairs from anonymous donors and the Sippican Historical Society.

Cormier also noted that changes are on the way regarding the building’s handicap accessibility, including some minor improvements to the elevator and bathrooms.

The hall was originally built with money donated from Elizabeth Taber, who wanted it to serve as the town’s recreational hub.

With groups such as the Sippican Historical Society, municipal boards and many others using it regularly, her vision remains intact.

“What this committee really wants to do now is honor Elizabeth Taber’s vision and honor the vision of the wonderful donor who paid for the restoration,” Bascom said.

Anyone who wishes to be involved in the hall’s improvement initiative should contact committee Chair Phyllis Washburn at myswan@verizon.net.