At the end of the First World War in 1918, Canadians began searching for ways to commemorate those who had served. Monuments cropped up almost immediately, and memorial halls opened across the country. Carmen’s Memorial Hall opened in 1920, the first building of its kind in Western Canada.

This Georgian Revival style building served a variety of purposes within the community. The Memorial Hall is strictly symmetrical and centered around the dramatic classically inspired entrance. Stone pilasters frame the doorway and the arched window that sits above. Near the top of the two-storey structure, “Memorial Hall” is engraved into the entablature. Above this is a rear bell tower that once served as the local fire alarm.

A spacious interior allowed for true multi-purpose facility. Over the years, the Memorial Hall has housed a social hall, community room, multi-purpose room/theater, library, memorial room, and even a jail.

Memorial plaques placed inside bear the names of 94 locals who served in both World Wars.

In 1994, the building received Municipal Heritage Designation and today functions as office space for the town of Carmen and the Rural Municipality of Dufferin.