Welcome

This is the website of the Barre Historical Society, owner of the Socialist Labor Party Hall National Historic Landmark, known as the “The Old Labor Hall”. Here you can find information about the history of the the Hall, about renting the Hall for your event, and about how you can help the Barre Historical Society preserve the Hall and the Union Cooperative Store bakery building.

Happenings at the Hall:

  • La Soirée Sucrée 2019 – New this Year a Tourtière Competition, Too

    Pastries and audience colageThursday, July 25, 5:30 - 8:30 pm  Buy Tickets NOW!

    This year again, as part of the Barre Heritage Festival, the Old Labor Hall is celebrating Barre's French Canadian heritage with Soirée Sucrée 2019 in honor of the Barre Historical Society's late president Chet Briggs.

    This year in addition to the dessert contest, we have added a savory, the famous French Canadian tourtière. Time to test your culinary skills.

    The evening, the perfect combination of sweet eats and sweet sounds, is divided into three exciting components—all for one low price.
    ►French Tourtière and Dessert Competition
    ►French Dessert Tasting
    ►French-Canadian music by Michèle Choinière

    Adults - $15 at the door, $12 in advance. Children under 12 - $6 (Attendance limited to 100.) Read more →

  • Learned Bakers — Jules & Helen Rabin at the Bakery

    Helen & Jules Rabin and their bread

    Sunday, August 11, 2019 1:00 to 4:00 pm 
    Rise Up Bakery, 48 Granite St, Barre, VT    
    Reserve a place NOW!

    Legendary bakers, Jules and Helen Rabin will be treating friends of the Bakery to the story of their nearly 50 year love affair with wood-fired bread baking.

    Jules will give the history and Helen will demonstrate how its done. Smell the bread baking and eat it when its done.

    Seating is limited and reservations are required. Admission is by donation for the benefit of the Bakery (suggested donation of $15-$20, low income or student $10). Read more →

Sign up for eNews

News:

History:

  • The Bakery from the Beginning to 2004

    Union Cooperative Bakery BuildingHistory of the Union Cooperative Bakery building, constructed in 1913 as an extension to the cooperative store located in the basement of the Socialist Labor Party Hall. It provided Italian and French baked goods to the community of italian granite workers in the area in the first decades of the twentieth century. Read more →

Keep up! Follow us on Facebook:

Action, Camera!

Check out the Old Labor Hall YouTube channel for video excerpts from events at the Hall. Below are the most recent additions: