For Immediate Release
June, 23, 2026
Contact: Meredith Amado, Executive Director, Kneisel Hall, 302.562.3789
KNEISEL HALL LAUNCHES $4 MILLION SECOND CENTURY CAMPAIGN TO SAVE HISTORIC CONCERT HALL, NAMED ONE OF MAINE’S MOST ENDANGERED PLACES
Blue Hill, Maine — Kneisel Hall, a recognized cornerstone of American chamber music, has officially launched the public phase of its largest and most ambitious effort to date: the Second Century Campaign. With a goal of raising $4 million, the campaign is a critical mission to restore and revitalize the historic Concert Hall, which was recently named one of Maine’s Most Endangered Historic Places in 2024 due to urgent structural challenges.
For over 124 years, Kneisel Hall has been inextricably linked to the cultural identity of Blue Hill and the development of chamber music in the United States, having been founded by Franz Kneisel, a pioneer of the American string quartet tradition. Today, the century-old Concert Hall—a quiet sanctuary for generations of musicians and audiences—is at risk, with its foundation settling and original materials failing.
“We are not just restoring a building—we are safeguarding a living legacy and its memory,” said Meredith Amado, Executive Director. “The Concert Hall has given us countless enriching experiences; now, it is our turn to ensure its legacy endures for future generations.”
The campaign is already being met with strong optimism: more than $2 million has been raised in the quiet phase, bringing the effort past the halfway point as it enters this public phase in 2026.
Funds raised will allow the Hall to address the immediate structural damage, while preserving its unique character and revered acoustics. The renovation will also enhance the venue for Downeast audiences by improving accessibility, increasing comfort, and upgrading the experience for performers.
In addition to the physical restoration, the campaign is supporting a major archiving initiative to digitize Kneisel Hall’s vast collection of programs, photographs, and letters. This project will formally preserve the institution’s history and its deep ties to the Blue Hill community, ensuring these materials are accessible to a global audience of music lovers and scholars.
The community is invited to join this urgent effort to secure both the physical home and historical record of this singular institution.
“Building on a 124-year legacy of chamber music education and performance, we will showcase highlights from Kneisel Hall’s history, helping audiences connect more deeply with this extraordinary place and its enduring impact on American musical life,” Amado shared. “Intermissions will include short talks and our Pavilion will offer large-scale renderings for the public to learn about this ambitious endeavour.”
To view the renovation vision and learn more about the campaign, please visit: secondcentury.kneisel.org.
Kneisel Hall is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to foster the art of chamber music through teaching and performance in an intimate environment steeped in tradition and artistic excellence.