Grand Army of the Republic Hall (Worcester, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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G.A.R. Hall
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 55 Pearl St., Worcester, Massachusetts |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1876 |
| Architect | Calvert Vaux |
| Architectural style | Stick/Eastlake |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000303 |
| Added to NRHP | March 13, 1975 |
The G.A.R. Hall in Worcester, Massachusetts, is a very old and special building. It used to be called the Bull Mansion. This building was once a meeting place for the Grand Army of the Republic, a group for soldiers who fought in the American Civil War. It's a beautiful two-story building made of granite, designed by a famous architect named Calvert Vaux. The G.A.R. Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 because of its importance.
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About the G.A.R. Hall
The old G.A.R. Hall is in downtown Worcester. You can find it on Pearl Street, just one block west of Main Street. It is a big building made of stone, about two and a half stories tall.
Building Design and Materials
The building uses different colored granite blocks. It has a steep roof made of slate tiles. You can see fancy wooden decorations on some of its gables. These are part of the "Stick style" of architecture. Some stone frames around the windows have carved flower shapes called rosettes.
Building Changes Over Time
A large part was added to the building in 1912. This made the original main section bigger. A granite fence with stone posts stands in front of the property. This fence has been there since the building was first constructed.
History of the Building
The G.A.R. Hall was first built in 1876. It was made to be the home of George and Sarah Bull. The famous architect Calvert Vaux designed it. Sarah Bull's father, Daniel B. Wesson, paid for the house. He was known for making firearms.
Early Owners
George Bull was a young doctor. He found the house too expensive to keep up. He later moved away from his wife. The next owner's wife was Helen Marble. Her father was Ethan Allen, who also made firearms.
Becoming the G.A.R. Hall
In 1912, the local chapter of the Grand Army of the Republic bought the building. They added a new section to it. This addition was designed by Stephen C. Earle, an architect from Worcester. Later, the building was given to the city. It became a memorial for all war veterans from Worcester. Since then, the building has been used for different things. Today, it is home to a restaurant.
