Berlin Town Hall (Berlin, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Berlin Town Hall
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Berlin Town Hall
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 12 Woodward Ave., Berlin, Massachusetts |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1870 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 11000663 |
| Added to NRHP | September 15, 2011 |
The Berlin Town Hall is a really old building in Berlin, Massachusetts. You can find it at 12 Woodward Avenue. It was built way back in 1870 and made bigger in 1904. For many years, it was where the town's government worked. Even though the town offices moved out in 1999, it's still a busy place for community events. This important building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.
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Discovering Berlin's Historic Town Hall
The old Berlin Town Hall stands proudly in the middle of Berlin village. It faces a cool, triangular green space across Woodward Avenue. This building is made of wood and has two and a half stories. It has a pointed roof and is covered with wooden clapboards.
What Does It Look Like?
The front of the building has a style called Greek Revival. This means it has tall, flat columns on the corners. There's also a covered porch, called a portico, built in 1875. This porch protects the main entrance. The entrance has flat columns on each side and a window above it with two panes of glass. The porch roof is flat and has a low railing around it. Inside, you can still see parts of the original design from 1870. However, many changes were made in 1909.
A Place for the Community
Berlin became an official town in 1806. Before the Town Hall was built, town meetings happened in different places. They met in the local meetinghouse, then in schoolhouses and even taverns. In 1831, they built a small town house, which was like a big school.
After the Civil War, Berlin grew a lot. The town needed a much bigger building. So, the current Berlin Town Hall was built in 1870. This building was not just for town offices and meetings. It was also a central spot for many community groups to gather.
Why Did the Town Move Out?
By 1999, the town had grown even more. The old Town Hall didn't have enough space for all the town's offices. So, the town government moved to a new location. The historic building was then given to a local community group. This group now takes care of the building. It continues to be a special place for people in Berlin to meet and hold events.
