Bringing the Ballroom Back to Life: Volunteers Roll Up Their Sleeves at Dickman Hall

Volunteers with the Smithsonian Museum on Main Street (MoMS) planning committee gathered at Dickman Hall on Sunday, January 11, for a combined meeting and work session as part of Phase 1 of the Revitalize Dickman Hall Project. This week’s effort focused on carefully scraping the historic 1939 windows of the former Officers’ Club, preparing them for restoration and fresh paint.

Since November, committee members and community volunteers have been working steadily inside the ballroom—cleaning, patching, priming, and removing decades-old materials—to ready the space for the upcoming Smithsonian traveling exhibition. The exhibit will be housed upstairs in the Dickman Hall Ballroom from November 21, 2026, through January 3, 2027, during which the space will serve as the main hub for MoMS programming, with additional exhibits and events scheduled throughout Kinney County.

Organizers emphasize that the Smithsonian program is intended not only as a heritage event but also as a catalyst to return the historic building to community use after many years of inactivity. They hope to see Brackett High School prom and club banquets return to the ballroom, along with chamber meetings, weddings, retreats, and local events that once brought life to the space. Over the next eight months, the committee plans to continue renovations, host fundraisers, and assist FCSA in renting the space on a limited basis between projects—both to build momentum and to support revenue generation for the association and the building itself.

To help fund this volunteer work, the committee has launched a GoFundMe campaign and is inviting the community to contribute. Donations will directly support Phase 1 efforts—restoring windows, painting walls and ceilings, revitalizing the original bar area, and completing other essential cosmetic improvements that will allow the ballroom to safely and beautifully host the Smithsonian exhibit. Contributions can be made at:

 https://www.gofundme.com/manage/5yg8k

The GoFundMe description reads in part: “Since 1939, the Dickman Hall Ballroom has been one of Kinney County’s most cherished landmarks — a place where soldiers danced, families celebrated, and generations made memories. After years of limited use, this historic space is ready to shine again. While larger upgrades like HVAC, electrical, and plumbing will come later, our immediate goal is to raise $10,000 for essential cosmetic restoration. Phase 1 includes patching and painting, restoring historic windows, and revitalizing the original bar area and bathrooms. Every contribution—large or small—brings us closer to reopening this treasured venue. Thank you for helping us take this important first step, so that gatherings can continue, and the next generation of memories can be made here.”

Those wishing to donate by check may do so by making payments to Fort Clark Springs Community Council, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donors are asked to note “Dickman Hall Ballroom renovations” or “Smithsonian Museum on Main Street program” in the memo line. All donations are tax deductible.

Committee members expressed gratitude for the strong community response and encouraged residents, businesses, and history enthusiasts to continue supporting the revitalization effort. As restoration work continues, volunteers of all skill levels will be welcomed to help prepare the historic ballroom for one of the most significant cultural events ever hosted in Kinney County. More updates will be shared as the project progresses.