Bainbridge Island is home to a collection of historic facilities, each with its own unique story and lasting role in the community. Island Center Hall, Seabold Hall, Fort Ward Hall, Camp Yeomalt Cabin and Classroom, and Prue’s House are all facilities that are maintained by the Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District. Many of these venues came under the District’s stewardship through generous donations and collaborative partnerships.
There are several community halls that each tell a unique story of Bainbridge Island’s past. Island Center Hall, a wood-paneled community hall built in 1913 on land given by W.L. and Lulu Gazzam, was donated to the Park District in 1971 to be preserved for public use. Seabold Hall, first built as a school in 1893, was later acquired by the Seabold Community Club and was gifted to the District in 2011. Fort Ward Hall, constructed in 1910 as a bakery for the U.S. Army Coast Artillery Corps and later repurposed during WWII, was restored in 2020 and now offers beautiful hardwood floors and historic charm. These meeting halls are still used to host events and activities within the community.
The Camp Yeomalt Cabin was originally constructed by Boy Scouts in 1935 and has been preserved and restored through donations and volunteer work. This facility and the adjacent classroom are still regularly used as a meeting place for Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. Prue’s House is a cabin in the Grand Forest that overlooks Hilltop. Both Prue’s House and the Yeomalt Cabin are often used to host small weddings and gatherings.
Throughout the years, the Park District and the community have continuously worked on maintaining and preserving these historic landmarks, ensuring they can be experienced and enjoyed by future generations. Today, these facilities are primarily used as meeting places for a variety of Park District programs. However, when programs aren’t taking place, these facilities are available for reservation and often used to host weddings, parties, celebrations of life, and many other events.
To see a more thorough description of each of these locations and find more information on reserving these spaces, please visit our website: Facilities and Rentals | Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District.