Essex Town Hall and TOHP Burnham Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Essex Town Hall and TOHP Burnham Library
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| Location | Essex, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1893-94 |
| Architect | Frank W. Weston Arthur Asahel Shurcliff (landscape architect) |
| Architectural style | Shingle Style |
| NRHP reference No. | 07000946 |
| Added to NRHP | September 12, 2007 |
The Essex Town Hall and TOHP Burnham Library is a really cool building in Essex, Massachusetts. It's built in a special style called Shingle Style. This building is super important because it holds the town offices, a public library, and even an auditorium! It was built a long time ago, between 1893 and 1894. The person who designed it was an architect named Frank W. Weston.
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Welcome to Essex Town Hall!
This amazing building serves many purposes for the town of Essex. It's where local government happens, where people can borrow books, and where community events take place. It's a central spot for everyone in town.
What's Inside?
The Essex Town Hall and Library was officially opened on February 15, 1894. A big crowd came to celebrate this special day. They enjoyed speeches, music, and even dancing!
Building Design
The building was designed by Frank W. Weston, an architect from Malden, Massachusetts. The bottom part of the building is made of strong field-stone. The upper parts, including a tall tower, are made of wood.
Inside, the building has a classic look with antique oak wood. The walls are painted in warm brown and yellow colors. It feels welcoming and grand at the same time.
Spaces for Everyone
The top floor of the building is where the main town hall is located. This large room can seat up to 550 people! It has a stage and a balcony, perfect for shows and meetings.
On the lower floor, you'll find the library. It's a big space that can hold thousands of books. Imagine all the stories and information stored there!
The building also has offices for town officials. You can find the offices for the selectmen and the treasurer here. There are three ways to enter the building, with the main entrance leading into a large, welcoming area.
The Clock Tower
Look up at the tower, and you'll see a clock with chime-bells. These bells ring out the hour for the whole town. This clock was a special gift to Essex from a person named L. G. Burnham.
A Special Gift
The land and the building itself were gifts from a generous person named T. O. H. P. Burnham. He was born in Essex but lived in Boston. Mr. Burnham passed away in 1891.
In his will, he left $30,000 to the town. Half of this money was for the town's general use, and the other half was specifically for a public library. Before this, the town had also received $5,000 from another Essex native, Dr. J. D. Russ.
With these gifts, the town decided to build the town hall and the library together in one grand building. This made it a true community hub.
A Historic Building
Because of its unique style and important history, the Essex Town Hall and TOHP Burnham Library was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. This means it's recognized as a very important historical site.
