# Event Details - **Event Name**: From Classrooms to Community: New Lives for Historic Schools - **Event Start and End Date**: Wed, 14 Oct, 2026 at 06:00 pm – Wed, 14 Oct, 2026 at 07:15 pm (-04:00) - **Event Description**: What happens to a school building when the students leave?About this EventAs Portland's communities and needs shift, many historic schools have outlived their original purpose — but not their potential. Using actual projects, Kevin Bunker of Developers Collaborative shares their hands-on approach to transforming former schools into housing and community spaces. A panel conversation with Christine Beard and Will Hopkins follows on the real challenges and unexpected rewards of these projects, including navigating preservation rules and construction realities and reckoning with the emotional pull a building holds for the people who once filled its halls.Wednesday, October 14 at 6:00 p.m. (doors 5:30 p.m.). $7 for MH Members, $10 for General Admission. No one turned away for lack of funds at the door.ABOUT THE FEATURED SPEAKERSKevin Bunker is the founder of Developers Collaborative, Maine’s leading community-based real estate developer. Focusing on public-private partnerships, historic preservation, and affordable housing, Kevin has established himself as an award-winning and respected expert in real estate development. His innovative approach and commitment to sustainable development continue to make a significant impact on creating thriving communities across Maine. Kevin lives in Portland with his wife and two daughters.Working in the field for over forty years, Christine Beard has developed a well-rounded background in historic preservation. While earning a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, she was employed by the Clio Group to conduct paint and mortar analyses of historic structures. Her preservation work continued in Boston as a consultant for the Architectural Conservation Trust for Massachusetts, preparing historic tax credit applications and National Register nominations. Christine subsequently cofounded Tremont Preservation Services, where she worked on a wide range of interesting and challenging projects over a period of twenty years before establishing Essex Preservation Consulting in 2018.Will Hopkins has spent over 20 years working on adaptively reusing buildings of all types, shapes, and uses. Starting his career in Pittsburgh PA, he returned to Maine in 2021 to join Archetype Architects where is presently a principal. With a specialty in affordable housing, he sees the intersection of preservation and reuse to be a perfect place to focus on housing. This holds especially true in the cases of schools when they are no longer fit to serve their original purpose but have much more to offer as iconic architectural and community elements.ABOUT THE SERIESTemples of Knowledge is a three-part in-person series tracing a consistent thread: how buildings providing education and fostering knowledge have been designed and reimagined, past and present. From school buildings converted to new uses, a department store turned art college, to institutions that have long supported informal and adult education, Portland has a wealth of educational buildings. These programs will highlight their architectural and social significance, the role they play in our communities, and their reinvention to meet today's needs.These programs are presented in partnership with and , with generous sponsorship by Developers Collaborative, a community-based development firm. The series will be complemented by virtual talks and site visits offered by Greater Portland Landmarks, providing additional ways to explore the architecture of learning.PARKING & TRANSPORTATIONThe Greater Portland Metro’s Congress & Casco Street Stop is directly in front of our building, served by routes 1, 7, 8, and 9B.Street Parking: Available on Congress, Casco, Cumberland, Free Street, and nearby streets. Pay by meter or the Passport Parking App. Free after 6 PM, on Sundays, and between Parris and Alder Street. Some blocks may vary — look for posted signs.Garages: The Arts District Garage (41 Brown St) has 250+ spaces, is open 24/7, and accepts credit card only, with entrances on Brown, Cumberland, and Casco. The Elm Street Garage (21 Elm St) is conveniently near the Portland Library. The Spring Street Garage is three blocks away at 45 Spring St.ACCESSIBILITYTo enter our building, patrons will need to navigate a single step or use a modular ramp. Please note that the wheelchair ramp has a steep incline.A wheelchair-accessible elevator is available. The elevator is 60" deep, 48" wide, with a 32" door opening. There are four wheelchair-accessible bathrooms on the third-floor level, adjacent to the Ballroom.If you have a wheelchair or need accessibility accommodations/questions, please contact us at programming@mainemechanics.org or 207-773-8396. - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/portland/from-classrooms-to-community-new-lives-for-historic-schools/100001999281077522 - **Event Categories**: art - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 - **Event Highlights**: - Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes - Location: Mechanics' Hall - Languages: English ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 12.51, currency: USD ## Event venue details - **city**: Portland - **state**: ME - **country**: United States - **location**: Mechanics' Hall - **lat**: 43.6562436 - **long**: -70.2611664 - **full address**: Mechanics' Hall, 519 Congress Street, Portland, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: From Classrooms to Community: New Lives for Historic Schools - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events10/banners/e6e87432bd85166e520572611362dc609cb253260f9e9e58bf368b496fb2af54-rimg-w1200-h600-dcb8c8b8-gmir.jpg?v=1788999365 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is From Classrooms to Community: New Lives for Historic Schools being held? - **A:** From Classrooms to Community: New Lives for Historic Schools takes place on Wed, 14 Oct, 2026 at 06:00 pm to Wed, 14 Oct, 2026 at 07:15 pm at Mechanics' Hall, 519 Congress Street, Portland, United States. - **Q**: Who is organizing From Classrooms to Community: New Lives for Historic Schools? - **A:** From Classrooms to Community: New Lives for Historic Schools is organized by Mechanics' Hall (Maine). - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** From Classrooms to Community: New Lives for Historic Schools is ideal for art lovers, collectors, creatives, and anyone inspired by visual arts, installations, and exhibitions. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Portland, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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