100 Men Hall

Intriguing name, eh? We've been there twice, first to have a tour and then last night for a concert.

While it may not look like much from the outside, the 100 Men Hall is perhaps the most interesting place we've seen here.  Within walking distance of our house, it has its origins in a local African American group named The One Hundred Men Debating Benevolent Association. Established in 1894, the association was a social organization whose primary purpose was to “assist its members when sick, bury its dead in a respectable manner and knit friendship.” Despite the name, the group was founded by 12 members and its charter stipulated that it "may from time to time give entertainments for the purpose of replenishing the treasury.”

And so it did.  It built the hall in the 1920s; along with the local churches, the 100 Men Hall became the centre of the African American social scene in Bay St. Louis. Events and fundraisers from plays and pageants to wedding receptions and dances took place there. During the 1940s, 50s and 60s, the heyday of New Orlean’s rhythm and blues music, many great stars performed regularly -- from Big Joe Turner, Etta James and Guitar Slim to James Booker, Professor Longhair and Deacon John.  The hall is now a stop on the Mississippi Blues Trail.

Mississippi Blues Trail plaque in front of the 100 Men Hall

Almost as fascinating as its cultural history is the story of its preservation.  Let's just say that if the hall was in Ontario its owners would definitely be in line for an Architectural Conservancy of Ontario award!

A recent documentary of the history and rescue of the hall includes an image of the building, which already had been going downhill for years, after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.  The place was pretty much a wreck and on the verge of demolition (note the "call before demo" scrawled on the front wall).  Miraculously it was saved by a couple from California, Jesse and Kerrie Loya.

Joey with Kerrie Loya in front of the bar in the hall

Jesse Loya, a long-time musician (guitarist), fell in love with the hall and its past and was determined to save it and and bring it back to life.  His wife, Kerrie, who gave us the tour, became equally passionate about the place, although at first she was more than skeptical they could take on such a gargantuan project (even saying to Jesse at one point, it's either the hall or me).  Fortunately Jesse had construction experience and the pair did much of the restoration work themselves.  They also got a lot of community support and a grant from the state.  The hall is their home too -- the living quarters are in the old "green room" and an addition they built on the back!

Kerrie is now the executive director of a non-profit organization that operates the hall.  She has people on her board who are descendants of the original 100 Men Hall members.

The monthly concert was last night and of course we had to go.

The band on this occasion was the House Katz, the "house" band of the hall, Jesse Loya's band.  Curiously we figured the audience numbered about 100, men and women, black and white.  Cool jazz.  We even got to dance a bit.

Kerrie Loya with Jesse Loya and other members of the House Katz on stage