From Classroom to Community

From Classrooms to Community: New Lives for Historic Schools
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
6:00pm at Mechanics’ Hall

During Greater Portland Landmarks’ next program in partnership with Mechanics Hall we’ll take a look at what happens to a school building when the students leave? As Portland’s communities and needs shift, many historic schools have outlived their original purpose — but not their potential. Using actual projects, Kevin Bunker will share Developers Collaborative’s hands-on approach to transforming historic schools into housing and community spaces. Kevin will be joined by Christine Beard, owner of Essex Preservation Consulting, and architect Will Hopkins, Principal at Archetype Architects, for a lively discussion on the challenges and rewards of giving historic schools new lives.

Tickets available now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/from-classrooms-to-community-new-lives-for-historic-schools-tickets-1999281077522?aff=oddtdtcreator
$7 Mechanics’ Hall Members, $10 General Admission

The Temples of Knowledge series is a partnership between Greater Portland Landmarks and Mechanics’ Hall and generously sponsored by Developers Collaborative