the hall was built 1879-1881 as a gift to the town from children of congressman oakes ames. it was originally intended for use as a town hall but in practice has mainly served as a meeting space for private groups. it was due to dissent amongst different groups in the town at the time that the oakes ames memorial hall was never used for its intended purpose as the town hall and to this day the frothingham house is used for this purpose.