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THE SPRING LAKE COMMUNITY HOUSE

Oliver H. Brown, born in Farmingdale, Monmouth County in 1852, led a life of devoted service to Spring Lake – and New Jersey – throughout his life. Elected in 1896 as a member of the New Jersey State House of Assembly, he was selected to be one of only 20 delegates to the 1900 Republican National Convention that nominated William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt for the Republican presidential ticket. His dedication to Spring Lake is best demonstrated by his simultaneous holding of the offices of Mayor of Spring Lake, and a member of the New Jersey State Senate. Oliver Brown’s service to Spring Lake was not limited to his political career.

His early career began in the retail industry. After a trip to Europe, he returned to New Jersey to begin his own retail establishment in 1882. He "wanted to cater to people of refinement and culture" (Spring Lake Gazette, July 6, 1923) and purchased three lots on Third Avenue for his own store, O.H. Brown’s Furniture. He later served as President of Spring Lake’s First National Bank, founded in 1901.

But one of his greatest legacies – the dedication of the Spring Lake Community House in 1923 – was also one of his last. He died in North Spring Lake in 1924, after a full lifetime of service and dedication to Spring Lake.

Theatre
The Theatre

Home to the Spring Lake Theatre Company


Since 1978, the Theatre has been the home of the Spring Lake Theatre Company – probably the most well-known and popular member of the Community house “family”. Renovated in 1986, the theater seats over 350 patrons. The Spring Lake Theatre Company is known far and wide for producing Broadway-quality musicals, comedies, and dramas, with professionally talented casts, lavish sets and costumes, and show-stopping performances. Each year, the Company puts on six different shows per season, with the opening night ticket sales of several performances donated to a different, well-deserving area charity.
The highlight of every season is the annual performance of the Christmas classic "Scrooge", with generations of families returning every year to experience its unique magic and spirit of giving. 

Brown Room
The Brown Room and Potter Room

Home to Civic and Community Organizations

 

In 1923, the first-floor meeting room was dedicated as the Brown Room, in honor of Oliver Brown. Along with the Potter Room, these rooms serve as an essential – and only – haven for many groups that do much to help the people of Spring Lake. Many civic and community organizations use these inviting, elegant rooms as their only meeting place, including support groups, service organizations, and other programs and gatherings.
The Potter Room also serves as the hub of the operations of the Community House, the business office of the Spring Lake Theatre Company and Board of Trustees. This is also the place where most of the beautiful costumes in the Spring Lake Theatre Company productions are assembled and coordinated.