Delaplaine Foundation Inc. Awards Grant Toward Brodbeck Hall Repair and Renovation

Funds to be used to cover costs associated with modernizing Hood’s oldest building

Dec 11, 2023

By Mason Cavalier

The front entrance to Brodbeck Hall, photographed in 2018

Delaplaine Foundation Inc. has awarded Hood College a grant of $25,000 for the repair and renovation of Brodbeck Music Hall following a lightning strike and subsequent fire that caused significant damage to the building in September of 2021. The College intends to repair Brodbeck Hall while maintaining the historic integrity of the building and making improvements to serve the needs of Hood’s current campus community.

This funding from Delaplaine Foundation Inc. will be used to bridge the gap between what insurance will cover and the cost of updating the building, constructed in 1868, to modern standards.

Planned improvements in the four-story restoration project include an expansion of classrooms and offices, restoration of the main concert hall and stage, and improved accessibility measures such as ramps and elevators, ensuring that Brodbeck Hall is an accessible and inviting space for events and classes on Hood’s campus. Additionally, the renovation aims to add a large, modernized practice space for Hood’s student musical ensembles.

“Delaplaine Foundation is happy to support the restoration and renovation of Brodbeck Music Hall at Hood College, as this grant hits three of the areas of focus within our mission for community enrichment: the Arts and Culture, Education and Historical Preservation,” said Marlene Grossnickle Young ’76, P’09, H’14, president of Delaplaine Foundation Inc.

“It’s wonderfully exciting to see how literally out of the ashes of the fire in 2021, the oldest building on campus will arise a grand four-story restoration that will enhance campus capabilities to better serve students as well as the community at large,” Young continued.

“This restoration and renovation will be fully accessible to all and will honor the historic integrity of the building.

Young has fond memories of Brodbeck Music Hall from when she was a student at Hood, recalling time spent in a music theory class on the second floor, time in the practice rooms on the third floor and preparing for performances in the first-floor concert hall.

“Both personally and professionally,” Young said, “I look forward to the long-awaited renaissance of activity, education, cultural presentations, concerts and community gatherings at Brodbeck, knowing that this building that made my heart sing as a student will again be open to bring the essence of excellence for which Hood College is known, offering the very best of music to the Frederick community.”