If these walls could talk, 150 years of stories at the Centennial Block Building will be celebrated at a special event in coming weeks.
The public is invited to the Centennial Cafe, 100 East State in Jefferson Sunday, Oct. 4, for a special celebration of the Centennial Block Building, marking 150 years since the historic building was constructed in 1876. The event will start at 4 pm.
Hosted by Why Not Us, the event, appropriately titled “If These Walls Could Talk,” the event will bring the building’s history to life through local re-enactors portraying some of the people and businesses connected to the grand corner structure over the past century and a half.
Among those whose stories will be represented is Charles Bofink, who built the building in 1876. Guests will also meet Dr. Augusta “Gus” Grimmell, the first female physician to practice in Greene County, and Miss Bessie Black, whose piano students once climbed the stairs for their lessons.
Other chapters of the building’s past will be represented through Durlam Electric’s business and Irish Toal, who operated a paint store in the building.
The story will also include Lois McAtee who, with her husband Dean, purchased the building in the 1980s and undertook extensive historical research as part of the effort to secure National Register designation. Their daughter later operated a successful gift shop there, continuing the building’s long tradition as a place of commerce and community gathering.
For 150 years, the Centennial Block Building has changed with the times. Its rooms have housed businesses and professionals, welcomed customers and students, and witnessed countless moments of everyday life in Jefferson along with very special occasions celebrating happy milestones, bridal and baby showers, birthdays and more.
Its most recent chapter is itself a remarkable story.
A group of 73 women joined together as Why Not Us, LLC to purchase and renovate the historic building, preserving an important piece of Jefferson’s downtown while giving it new life. Today, the Centennial Cafe, operated by Bailey Porter, occupies the main level, with two apartments on the upper floor.
The October 4 celebration will honor both the people who came before and those who ensured that the building would have a future.
In addition to the historical re-enactments, the afternoon will include the placement of a time capsule, creating a new piece of history for generations yet to come. The contents to be placed in the capsule will be on display as part of the program.
Community members are also encouraged to share their own memories and stories about the Centennial Block Building as part of the anniversary celebration using the QR code adjacent to this story.
The event is open to the public; everyone is invited to attend.
For one afternoon, some of the people who walked these halls, worked in this space and helped shape this landmark will return through stories.
And after 150 years, the walls of the Centennial Block Building will finally have their chance to talk.
