In 1924 the building was purchased by Louise Kitchen with the purpose of donating the building to the community to honour the service of the local citizens who served in the First World War. The idea was that rather than being a granite monument, it would be a living memorial to those who served. With support of the community the building was remodeled into a community hall.
On the August 20, 1925 the Hon. Harry Cockshutt, Lieut-Governor of Ontario (1921-1927) dedicated the building as a “Memorial to those who fought in the Great War.” At the same time a bronze template acknowledging this dedication with the names of those from the area who served was unveiled with the following inscription:
“This building was presented in memory of Salem Griswold Kitchen by his wife and was remodeled by the citizens as a Memorial to the Soldiers who fought the Great War.”
The building was then placed into the hands of a board of trustees of which the longest serving trustee was the Hon. Harry Nixon (MPP 1919-1961 - Premier of Ontario 1943).
St. George Memorial Hall is also one of the oldest First World War memorials in Ontario and the oldest in the Brant county area. Presently the building is in the care of the South Dumfries Historical Society and houses the St. George and Area Museum and Archives. It is also used by numerous community groups.
