A little over a decade ago, the Tomales Town Hall was caught in a bind. The building was over 130 years old and required improvements, but its board of trustees had dwindled to just a handful of members. Resuscitation came in the form of a $100,000 bequest from the Cerini family in 2005, and the gift has rippled through the past decade. “That bequest got things moving,” said George Maron, president of the board. “That’s when a bunch of us were motivated to get involved. New blood came in and everybody had ideas.” The lion’s share of the bequest allowed the town hall to purchase an adjacent lot at the building’s south side, and the remainder was put towards securing future grants. And what began as a fundraising committee transformed into the Tomales Town Hall 150 Steering Committee, named after the hall’s 150th anniversary in 2024. In the past week, the committee mailed 900 brochures to residents from Marshall to Dillon Beach to Valley Ford that detail its vision and concept for the ongoing rejuvenation project. The committee is hoping community donations and input will advance the initial phase of the project, which Mr. Maron said emphasizes improvements to access. For now that translates to two items: an elevator and a refurbished front entry reflecting the design of a 1931 remodel to the building. The committee will host a potluck in the spring when it will share design ideas for the first phase, which could commence in 2020. Other needed improvements stem from the 1931 remodeling project, which was fashioned on a Spanish-revival theme. Mr. Maron said when the façade’s wooden frame was erected 85 years ago, the builders used stucco, a then-popular wall covering that over time has led to leaks, dry rot and termite damage. The hall has always relied on the support of local volunteers: “They weren’t professionals, and were probably ranchers,” Mr. Maron said. “The craftsmanship wasn’t top of the notch but it’s lasted 80-plus years. It’s pretty amazing!” He said numerous local contractors are waiting to assist with the project and that neighbors are ready to help any way they can. During the construction of the new stage last year, a volunteer chef cooked for builders every week, continuing the hall’s legacy of community service since Warren Dutton donated the land for it in 1874.