User:Tprimeau1023/Thomas Duncan Hall

Thomas Duncan Hall is located on Ferry Street in Downtown Lafayette, Indiana. The building, completed in 1931, is a historic location used for cultural, educational, and celebratory events. The Hall was built using money left by inventor and philanthropist Thomas Duncan. Mr. Duncan

History A century ago, a group of Lafayette women came together and found the need to form the Community House Association (CHA). They sought to improve the quality of life of other women who had been attracted to the growing city of Lafayette to seek employment and attend school.

The CHA established training programs and housing for these young ladies, as well as the first Kindergarten in this area. In addition, many of Lafayette's important civic groups, from the YWCA to the Girl Scouts to the Civic Theater, found their first home at the Community House which was eventually established near 6th & Ferry Streets.

Sarah Ely's mother was a charter member of the CHA and Sarah later became a member herself. Sarah married her boss at Duncan Electric, Thomas Duncan, the Scottish born inventor/industrialist/philanthropist. He grew to admire the important work of the CHA.

Thomas died in 1928, leaving resources to the CHA to construct a gracious, spacious Georgian, Colonial-style building to be a meeting place for social, patriotic, charitable, educational, and cultural events. The CHA is a not-for-profit corporation comprised of a board of 33 with several advisors. This group continues to work today to enhance the quality of life in Lafayette, through preserving and promoting Duncan Hall.