[MassHistPres] Controversy about what colors to paint a restored Town Hall

[Peter K Johnson]

I'm chair of the Historical Commission in Hanover, and would like to hear
others' opinion about about a current controversy in our town about what
color to paint the about-to-be-restored Town Hall. This project, using CPA
funds, is about to go out to bid. The plans call for restoring the building
to its 1893 "state", when it was the smaller, 1863 structure was remodeled
and enlarged by architect J. Williams Beal, a resident of Hanover (and also
architect of Castle in the Clouds in NH). Paint analysis show that in 1893
the clapboards on the building were painted a dark grey-green, with the
rather elaborate trim (window frames, corners pilasters, front portico,
cornices, and cupola) painted a cream color.  Sometime in the 1920's (we
think) the building was painted entirely white, and that has been its color
ever since, most recently clad in white vinyl siding sometime in the
1980's.

The Town Manager decided that reverting to the 1893 color scheme would
cause great controversy in town and decided to put up a straw poll online,
so that residents could vote.  You can see it here. The link is a bit
glitchy, but it does eventually open...the

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PM2DY2P

At this point, votes for the 1893 color scheme and all-white are about
equal. (The yellowish-brown,1863 scheme should not have been posted - and
is getting very few votes anyway). The Town Moderator has just weighed in
on the Town's Facebook page calling the 1893 colors "truly dreadful", that
"our ancestors found to be a bad choice and switched to white".  His
opinion will have some influence. The Historical Commission is preparing a
response.  Does anyone have any experience with such a situation - and/or
advice about the best strategy for responding? Obviously an emotional issue
here, fueled by the idea that buildings in New England town centers were
always white.

Thanks

Peter Johnson
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