[MassHistPres] Town Hall Renovation Success/Failure stories

[Carol McGarry]

In Sherborn we renovated our  town hall a few years ago, primarily  
the interior, and did a good job of making it a more useful space.  
The cost was substantial. Alison, let me know if you want more  
details and I can ask around town.


On May 12, 2007, at 9:52 AM, Dennis De Witt wrote:

> Alison
>
> You might take a look at the Holliston Town Hall which a few years
> ago was much like what you described -- well restored exterior with
> tired, ad hoc, not-to-code interior.  The two lower levels, where the
> offices are, has been completely reconfigured to make pleasant
> functional offices especially for those functions involving public
> interface -- I don't think there was much old worth saving down there
> -- while the hall above has been retained for public meetings.  It  
> had not been subdivided.  Other offices are off site.
>
> I know that the abutting town of Ashland has also done much needed
> exterior work on their town hall but I don't know about the
> interior.  It's so close, it would be worth taking a look.
>
> I wonder if Chris could ask MHC staff for a list of MHC preservation
> awards for town halls involving the interiors.
>
> Dennis De Witt
>
>
> On May 12, 2007, at 8:29 AM, Alison Hardy, Window Woman wrote:
>
>> The Town of Topsfield is once again reviewing the issue of housing
>> town government. Our 1873 Town Hall received a glorious exterior
>> renovation a few years back making it a jewel on the Town Common.
>> However, the interior is in a sad state. Offices are cramped and
>> inconvenient, meeting space is negligible, and the second floor
>> great hall is a warren of dividing panels that sort of make up
>> offices but with no privacy to conduct business and no access for
>> the disabled.
>> Studies have been done over the last two decades, designs proposed,
>> and without exception all have failed to receive the votes for
>> funding. So we're starting the process again. I am hoping to put
>> together data from other towns that have renovated their Town Halls
>> to provide some comparative information and context. Actually, any
>> advice on experience with accomodating town goverment in the modern
>> age in an antique structure would be welcome.
>>
>> Alison Hardy
>> Topsfield Historic Commission
>>
>>
>> Alison Hardy
>> Window Woman of New England
>> www.window-woman-ne.com
>> 978-561-1062
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