When you walk into Merrimack Hall, “happy” is a central theme that shines through all its activities. Whether it’s the after-school “Happy Hearts” program or the “Happy Camp” summer program, there’s no shortage of smiles, laughter, and the sound of music echoing from its walls.
Merrimack Hall, located in West Huntsville’s aptly named Merrimack neighborhood, isn’t your typical performing arts center. It is dedicated to providing visual and performing arts education to children and adults with special needs, creating a space where everyone can experience the joy of the arts.
Historic Beginnings
The Merrimack Manufacturing Company, based in Lowell, Massachusetts, opened its Huntsville textile mill in 1900, alongside the first village houses built for mill workers. Over the next few years, the village grew into a self-sufficient community with a school, hospital, and cemetery. In 1913, the company opened a Company Store in a two-story, 25,000-square wooden building, later incorporating it into the expanded brick structure that would serve as a community center, otherwise known as Merrimack Hall.
Merrimack Hall was home to the Company Store and became the central hub of the village, providing a place for socialization and recreation to all of the village’s residents. After nearly 100 years of operation, the Merrimack Mills were demolished in 1992. Today, 269 mill village houses and Merrimack Hall are all that remain of this important part of Huntsville’s history.
Fast forward to 2006, Debra and Alan Jenkins purchased Merrimack Hall and transformed it into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization laying the foundation for the Merrimack Hall we see today. The Jenkins family invested nearly $2.5 million and countless hours of hands-on renovations. Thanks to their hard work and determination, Merrimack Hall was ready to open its doors to the public in 2007.
Dreaming with Your Feet
Merrimack Hall began as a single weekly dance class for 10 children with special needs. One of the first students, who required assistance to walk or dance, described the joy of dancing as "dreaming with your feet."
From the beginning, it was clear that Merrimack was helping turn dreams into reality for countless individuals. Now, more than 400 individuals with special needs, ages 3-65, and roughly 200 volunteers come to Merrimack Hall each week for one of 23 arts-related classes (dance, music, theater, visual art, creative writing), a day habilitation program for adults, a series of monthly social events for adults and summer camps.
These extracurricular activities serve hundreds of individuals with special needs from Huntsville, Madison County, and across North Alabama. Adults with special needs are often underserved in the community, with many special needs programs only geared toward children. A study by the National Endowment of the Arts found adults with disabilities are less likely than adults without disabilities to have participated in the arts such as attending a live performing arts event. Merrimack Hall fills that gap by giving both special needs children and adults opportunities to perform and participate in.
Performing arts serve as a unique environment that allows participants to hit milestones never thought possible. At Merrimack Hall, both anecdotal and therapeutic evidence shows that many students are achieving milestones ahead of schedule. They exhibit better behavior at school and home, greater confidence, and improved communication skills. Moments like the first words spoken on stage, the first steps taken without assistance, and the formation of lasting friendships are celebrated as profound achievements.
There are no words to describe how amazing this place is,” one family shared about their experience at Merrimack Hall. “This is truly a special opportunity for those in the Huntsville community with special needs and their families”.
Merrimack Hall not only supports the children and adults who participate in its programs but also acts as a cornerstone for their families to find a sense of community. Today, in many ways, Merrimack Hall continues to fulfill its original mission from 100 years ago: building and fostering a community where people of all abilities can come together to enjoy and experience the arts.
To support Merrimack Hall, consider becoming a volunteer or donating at Merrmackhall.org.
One of the first students, who required assistance to walk or dance, described the joy of dancing as "dreaming with your feet."