Major Frederick. W. Childs

A Loving Gift in the Memory of the Sons of Wilmington

Memorial Hall Center for the Arts is named after the historic building that we call home.  Endowed with acoustics that rival halls of greater capacity and renown, Wilmington’s Memorial Hall is resplendent with the spirit and artifacts of a time gone by.

Designed by McKim, Meade & White of New York City, Memorial Hall was funded by Major Frederick W. Childs and built by George Haynes, both of Wilmington.

In the words of Major Childs, Memorial Hall was intended to foster "innocent diversion from the more exacting things of life…" and to "always inspire the highest, broadest and sweetest sentiment in this community."

Soon after the dedication of the building, a call went out to collect photographs of the early residents. Each submission was copied, framed, and hung on the walls as a memorial to those who built Wilmington. In 1914, Major Childs added two tablets bearing the names of 115 Civil War veterans and 75 veterans of the Revolutionary War Battle of Bennington. These artifacts continue to grace the walls of Memorial Hall.