Ward Hall was completed circa 1857 at a cost of $50,000 in gold, built as a summer home. It was built for Junius Richard Ward and his wife Matilda Viley Ward. After the Civil War, they had financial problems and had to sell the summer home in 1867. It measures about 12,000 square feet and has four 27 foot high columns. The Ward Hall Preservation Foundation, which is a non-profit organization is dedicated to helping preserve, protect, restore, and educate Ward Hall.