Old Town Hall also known as Old Town House and The Townhouse and Camp Andover: Difference between pages

From Andover Answers
(Difference between pages)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
 
No edit summary
 
Line 1: Line 1:
The Old Town House is also known as the Old Town Hall.


On March 1, 1858, a committee was appointed to choose a site for and to consider building a Town House. The land was chosen and purchased from Mr. W. Philip Foster for $2,000The Town House was built in 1858 at a cost of $15,500 and is located on Main Street in the middle of town.
In 1920, The Boston Missionary Society, a benevolent organization committed to aiding the physical and spiritual needs of the urban poor though a variety of programs including youth camps, founded Camp Andover on Pomp's Pond. Operated in partnership with F.H. Foster of Andover who donated the use of over sixty acres of land, the camp had the mission of providing outdoor recreational opportunities for city childrenIn 1934, the Camp relocated to Lake Winnisquam in Meredith, New Hampshire. Historical records and photographs of Camp Andover are held in the [http://www.congregationallibrary.org/finding-aids/CMS1031 Congregational Library and Archives] and Library in Boston.  




The architect was Theodore Volkers and the contractors were Abbott & Clement.  The building was described as a "spacious hall in the second story, with a small gallery and four anterooms. In the first floor, a smaller hall, also a post office room, treasurer's and selectmen's room with a fire-proof safe, and a small room to rent as an office or store."  In a committee report made on December 20, 1858, the building was described as 55ft by 86ft long.
[https://answers.mhl.org/images/c/c8/CampAndoverBostonGlobe.pdf ''Boston Boys and Girls Club in Andover Open Air Life Enjoyed on the Shores of Pomp's Pond Under City Missionary Society's Guidance'']


[https://answers.mhl.org/images/4/4f/ATM_06_04_1920_Camp_Andover_%281%29.png ''Camp Andover'' from the June 6, 1920 Andover Townsman]


On May 7, 1860, the committee reported the expenditures:<br>
[https://answers.mhl.org/images/4/46/ATM_7_13_34_CampAndoverMovedtoNewHampshire.png ''Camp Andover Moved to New Hampshire'' from the July, 13, 1934 Andover Townsman]
Land $2,000.00<br>
Building $13,541.16<br>
Furniture $1,474.10<br>
Celebration $105.90<br>
Total Expense: $17,122.16<br>


--[[User:Stephanie|Stephanie]] ([[User talk:Stephanie|talk]]) 19:02, 14 January 2021 (EST)


In 1882, an extension was added for cooking accommodations and water for use by clubs and private parties.  In 1902, a lobby was designed with ornamental winding staircases and tinted walls.  The Town Seal was placed in the mosaic floor.


During WWII, the second floor was subdivided into office space.  Several plans to raze the building were thwarted in the 1950s and 1960s.
In 1989, the facility was completely renovated adding air-conditioning.  The building is now available for wedding receptions, theater performances, and banquets. There is still a Post Office substation on the first floor.  A "Rededication Ceremony for the Andover Town House" was held on May 6, 1989.
In 2008, work was done to fix damaged shingles that had started to fall off the roof.  This necessitated blocking off the parking spaces surrounding the building. 
In 2009, the hall at Old Town Hall was named the "James D. Doherty Town Meeting Hall," after the town's longtime Town Meeting moderator, Jim Doherty.
[[Image:Andover_Town_House_Rededication.jpg|thumb|...''Andover Town House Rededication Ceremony, May 6, 1989''.... click to enlarge|left]]
[[Image:Andover_Town_House_Rededication_Ceremony.jpg|thumb|...''Andover Town House Rededication Ceremony, May 6, 1989''.... click to enlarge|left]]
[[Image:Old_Town_Hall.jpg|thumb|...''Old Town Hall''.... click to enlarge|left]]
<br style="clear:both;" />
See
*"Architectural Record", November 1990. [[:Media:OldTownHallArchitecturalRecord.pdf|To Gather Together: After Years of Neglect A Restored 19th Century Town Hall is Once Again the Focus of A Community's Pride"]]
*''Andover Advertiser'', September 4, 1858.
*''Andover Advertiser'', November 20, 1858.
*''Andover Advertiser'', December 25, 1858.
*''Andover Advertiser'', January 1, 1859.
* "Andover considers ways to save old Town Hall", ''Eagle Tribune'', November 25, 1986.
* ''Andover Townsman'', April 27, 1989
* ''Andover Townsman'', May 4, 1989, p. 6+
*"Sentimental journey for hall", ''Andover Townsman'', July 21, 2005.
*"Roofing slate falls from Old Town Hall", ''Eagle Tribune'', January 18, 2008.
*"Falling shingle prompts emergency roof fix", ''Andover Townsman'', February 7, 2008.
*"Is there new revenue in Andover's Old Town Hall?", ''Eagle Tribune'', March 18, 2008.
*"Hall named for Jim Doherty," ''Andover Townsman'', November 26, 2009.
*"Past and Present: Old Town Hall", ''Andover Townsman'', October 25, 2012, page 3.
[http://andoverma.gov/facilities/rentals/townhouse.php Andover Town House Function Room ]
Andover Vertical File--Historic Houses--Town House
<br style="clear:both;" />
--[[User:Stephanie|Stephanie]] August 28, 2019
--[[User:Glenda|Glenda]] 10:03, January 26, 2007 (EST)<br>
--[[User:Kim|Kim]] 16:32, March 14, 2012 (EDT)
<!-- insert signature here, if desired -->


back to [[Main Page|Main Page]]
back to [[Main Page|Main Page]]
[[Category:Andover Answers Index]]
[[Category:Andover Answers Index]]

Revision as of 20:31, 14 January 2021

In 1920, The Boston Missionary Society, a benevolent organization committed to aiding the physical and spiritual needs of the urban poor though a variety of programs including youth camps, founded Camp Andover on Pomp's Pond. Operated in partnership with F.H. Foster of Andover who donated the use of over sixty acres of land, the camp had the mission of providing outdoor recreational opportunities for city children. In 1934, the Camp relocated to Lake Winnisquam in Meredith, New Hampshire. Historical records and photographs of Camp Andover are held in the Congregational Library and Archives and Library in Boston.


Boston Boys and Girls Club in Andover Open Air Life Enjoyed on the Shores of Pomp's Pond Under City Missionary Society's Guidance

Camp Andover from the June 6, 1920 Andover Townsman

Camp Andover Moved to New Hampshire from the July, 13, 1934 Andover Townsman

--Stephanie (talk) 19:02, 14 January 2021 (EST)


back to Main Page