Heart...And Soul It sits in the very heart of town and is the kind of classic log building you would expect to see in a mountain community surrounded by the forest. It stands in contrast with the modern Town Hall structure located next door which owes it shape to the fabled Caribel mine. Somehow, though, there is a sense of harmony with not only the neighboring buildings but the stately Flagge Mountain not far from the back door. It belongs in the mountains and Red River.
The Red River Community House is the soul of summer days and nights in the valley. With the lights on, the doors open and the sound of music wafting through the night air, the RRCH stands as a thread of continuity in the fabric of town, connecting a colorful historic past with the challenging future of a small American community.
The idea of the Red River Community House began to take shape in 1940, the dream of summer visitors who wanted a place to meet, socialize and hold church services on Sunday, since Red River had no purpose-built churches until the 1950s.
With the help of locals and "summer folk" the doors were opened to the public in 1942 for square dancing, card playing, weddings and Sunday worship. It remains to this day true to its original goals of providing family entertainment for generation after generation.
Dancing is still the Number One activity in the RRCH. In addition to square and round dance activity nightly, lessons and classes for every level of dancer - beginners to experts - are offered on a constant basis, and this year will see the increased excitement of swing dancing, as well as line and specialty dances. Special dance instruction for young people will also be a regular on the schedule of events.
The Community House is a not-for-profit organization, so donations are vital to its existence. Most activities are free to the public and there is an open invitation to strangers and first-time visitors to stop by, meet new people and make lifelong friends and have the kind of fun that has made the Community House what it is today.
