Join friends and neighbors for an evening of history, music, and community to celebrate a milestone in Piedmont’s history – the 100th anniversary of the dedication of Community Hall and the Exedra:
Celebrate! 100 years of Community Hall and Exedra
Friday, April 4, 6-7:30pm
Piedmont Community Hall, 711 Highland Avenue
For one night only, Community Hall will transform into a pop-up history exhibit, with photographs, newspaper clippings, and archival video taking you on a journey through the past century of two of Piedmont’s most iconic landmarks.
The event will feature period music, birthday cake, and a champagne toast led by Vice-Mayor Conna McCarthy. Historian and resident Cameron Wolfe will speak about the history of both structures, and the Piedmont Historical Society, Piedmont Beautification Foundation, and Piedmont Garden Club will host informational tables.
The 100 year celebration is free to all and family-friendly. Everyone is welcome!
New KCOM history feature highlights Piedmont’s “Building Years”
KCOM will mark the anniversary with a new feature in the “History of Piedmont” video series. Piedmont 1907-1930: The Building Years, covering Piedmont’s development over the two decades immediately following incorporation, will debut at 7pm on Thursday, April 3 on KCOM-TV (Comcast channel 27, AT&T U-Verse channel 99) and the City’s YouTube channel.
Throughout the week leading up to the event, KCOM will broadcast history-focused programming at 7pm daily.
Community Hall and Exedra: Piedmont landmarks
Part of Albert Farr’s 1922 Civic Center master plan, Community Hall and the Exedra were dedicated on April 3, 1925. The master plan included a library, museum, municipal market square, underground streetcar tunnel, and a new City Hall located on Guilford Place, but only the Community Hall and Exedra became a reality.
Construction was funded by a 1924 bond measure, which allocated $12,500 for the Exedra and $12,500 for a new civic building which was to be used as “an armory, community hall, and general gathering place.” City of Oakland landscape engineer Howard Gilkey was hired to design gardens surrounding the Exedra, and paths were built through the park to connect the two structures. On the eve of the dedication, the Oakland Tribune described the Exedra as “a sort of Arch of Triumph” providing a grand entrance to the park.
Both structures have undergone substantial changes over the past century, as renovations, additions, and new traditions reflect the evolving priorities and preferences of the Piedmont community.