[MassHistPres] Greek Revival Town Hall

[SARA WERMIEL]

Betsy, you might consider broadening your brief against demolition by asking
people in towns where historic town halls have been demolished and replaced,
how much they regret the loss of the old building and wish they could have
it back.  Indeed, the comparative rarity of the form, since so many public
buildings from that period have been demolished, make it a treasure for the
state and nation, which the town has the privilege and responsibility of
protecting (and of course, there are programs that can help fund
rehabilitation, whether it remains in public ownership or is sold or leased
for other income-producing use).
--Sara Wermiel
Historic preservation consultant/building historian
Jamaica Plain, MA

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Betsy Hannula" <betsyhannula at verizon.net>
To: "List Serve Mass Historical Commission" <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2008 11:00 AM
Subject: [MassHistPres] Greek Revival Town Hall


> I am looking for a town in Massachusetts that has a Greek Revival period
Town Hall that has been rehabilitated or restored, either for continued use
as a town hall or for any other reuse.  I would like to visit it and take
photos, or at the least have a photo of it or a scan of a photo that I could
use emailed to me if anyone is able.
> The Selectmen in Westminster have placed an article on the warrant for the
town meeting on May 3 to demolish our Town Hall now that we have a new one.
(They are all in favor of making this land a park.)  I'm preparing a Power
point presentation showing (1) old homes and buildings in Westminster that
we have already lost, (2) activities that have taken place in the old Town
Hall for more than a century, and (3) other town halls in Massachusetts that
have been successfully restored and reused.  I have already been to Townsend
and Groton (beautiful) but they're of a different period and I think the
impact would be greater if I had a similar style building.
> Any help would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Betsy Hannula
>
>
> 68 Harrington Road
> Westminster, MA 01473
>
>
>
> Tel. 978-874-0430
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