154 ANDOVER ST
architectural description
LHD
Late Greek/Picturesque
Steam & auto burners heating
This building was designed as a meeting place with large windows and a large centered double door. The ceiling in the meeting room was lowered from 12 ft to 9 ft in 1909 and a bay window was added on the South side at the same time. The windows lost about 2 ft. in height. 1 unit - 5 rooms, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath built in 1888 by Hardy and Cole; 2 sheds; 1 deck
historical narrative
Owners:
1890 Was a German Club in late 19th century.
31 Dec 51 John J. Murnane (1975-77)
Charles P. Eugene & John J. Murnane
Themes: architectural, community development, education,
recreation
Club for German employees of Bradlee Mills at Ballardvale. Home of German Club and also the Cosmopolitan Singing Society; also a German school with classes held every Saturday from 2:30 - 5:30 pm (Americans admitted). Club incorporated Feb. 10, 1890.
Many German workmen came to Ballardvale with their families in the early 1880s to work for Craighead and Kintz? Co. who produced oil lamps and fixtures and artistic bronzes. In 1885 they founded a German club and hired Andover contractors Hardy and Cole to build their club house. The club sponsored the Cosmopolitan Singing Society, taught a German School on Saturday and held an annual clambake on the Shawsheen River every fall. Club was incorporated Feb 10, 1890. Descendents of Emil Hoffman, club president, still live in this former club house. Many of the men in the Murnane family were firemen and related to the Hoffman family. The house has served as a residence since 1909.
bibliography/references
1891 Andover Street Directory
A.H.S. files
Town of Andover Assessment summary
Family history related by John Murnane, the present (1998) owner and included news clippings
inventory data
| Place: | Ballardvale |
| Historic District: | Ballardvale Local Historic District |
| Address: | 154 andover st |
| Historic Name: | Cosmopolitan Hall |
| Present Use: | residence |
| Original Use: | School, German Club, Cosmopolitan Singing Society |
| Date of Construction: | 1885 |
| Source: | style; Recorders Archives |
| Style/Form: | Greek Revival |
| Architect/Builder: | Hardy & Cole |
| Foundation: | brick |
| Wall/Trim: | wood/clapboards |
| Roof: | Asphalt |
| Outbuildings / Secondary Structures | garage and shed |
| Major Alterations: | front porch added |
| Condition: | excellent (1998) |
| Moved: | |
| Demolished: | |
| Acreage: | less than one acre; 22,746 sq. ft.; Approx. frontage: 125' |
| Setting: | Approx. distance to street 15' |
| MHC inventory number: | ANV.27 |
| Recorded by: | Stack/Mofford; Ruth Sharpe (Ballardvale Historic District) |
| Organization: | Andover Historical Commission |
| Date: | 1975-77/1993 (L.L., B.M.H.) |
other historic buildings
- on andover st
- in Ballardvale Local Historic District
- with architectural style Greek Revival
Bancroft Hall moving
