The Eldridge Gymnasium, now Town Hall, was built in 1892. This view of the rear of the building, then with an open veranda, features the vibrant multi-colored buff and beige Mission tiles of the roof, sadly removed. The Gymnasium quickly became a hub of activity. In addition to grass tennis courts in front, there were rowing machines, exercise equipment and bowling alleys in the basement. Morning and evening concerts took place in the spacious interior, as well as lectures and dances. In 1906, Mark Twain’s daughter, Clara Clemens, made her singing debut at the Gymnasium. Her famous father was in the audience that night and, in an effort not to upstage Clara, he waited until after her performance to tell the audience about his own debut as lecturer in his famous speech on stage fright: “My heart goes out in sympathy to anyone who is making his first appearance before an audience of human beings…I shall never forget my feelings before the agony left me, and I got up here to thank you for helping my daughter, by your kindness, to live through her first appearance. And I want to thank you for your appreciation of her singing, which is, by the way, hereditary.”

Text by — Ann Havemeyer
Photo courtesy of the Norfolk Historical Society