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The Hastings House is a property owned and maintained by the Beverly Farms-Prides Crossing Community Association. It is located at 14 Oak Street in the Beverly Farms section of Beverly, Massachusetts.
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Organization
The Hasting House is a community center with a large functional hall/indoor basketball court, several meeting rooms, a library, full kitchen and a youth center. It is managed by a group of volunteers, elected by members of the local community. The charter of the Farms-Prides Community Association identifies its purpose as: "A non-political, non partisan, non-sectarian organization for the following purposes: to maintain and operate a community center for children of all ages, their parents and other adults, in the general neighborhood; to provide opportunities of and facilities for rest, recreation, healthful environment and similar social services for such children, their parents and other adults ; to establish and maintain suitable places for reading rooms, libraries, association and other group meetings; to foster and promote educational and training programs among all ages in the general neighborhood; to make contributions and gifts to religious, charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes, or aid in the prevention of cruelty to children or animals, either directly or through religious, charitable, scientific, literary or educational corporations, trusts, community chests, funds or foundations created or organized in the United States, organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes or to aid in the prevention of cruelty to children or animals; no part of the net earnings of which injures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual and no substantial part of the activities of which is carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation...."
History
The Farms-Prides community Association came into being on December 14, 1954 via an act of incorporation sealed by the Massachusetts Secretary of State. The building itself was originally a private home that was purchased and donated to the community of Beverly Farms and Prides Crossing by the estate of Merrill G. Hastings in 1958. A bronze inscription near the entrance to the building states "Given to the Farms-Prides Community Association in memory of our friend and neighbor Merrill G. Hastings July 3, 1888-March 15, 1954". In 1966 the gymnasium/function hall was added to the rear of the structure. Over the years, the Hastings House has served as local meeting place for community groups such as local political committees, mothers organizations, community actions groups, Girl and Boy Scout Troops, the Farms-Prides Fourth of July Committee as well as scores of others. The gymnasium is used by local private schools and children's sports groups. Hundreds of wedding receptions and fund raising events have been held there. Each Fourth of July, a fund raising dance is held the Saturday evening before the Fourth of July. It brings the community together and serves as a "homecoming" event that former residents frequently attend.