Holden Town Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Holden Town Hall
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Holden, MA
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 723 Main Rd., Holden, Maine |
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| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1873 |
| Architectural style | Italianate; Stick style; Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 14000362 |
| Added to NRHP | June 27, 2014 |
The Holden Town Hall is a special old building located at 723 Main Road in Holden, Maine. It was built way back in 1873 and has a really interesting mix of old architectural styles. For many years, it was the main place where the town's government met. It also served as a community center for a group called the Grange until 1995. Because of its history and unique design, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.
What is Holden Town Hall?
Holden Town Hall sits on Main Road, which is a main street that goes through Holden. It's close to the center of town. A town hall is a building where local government business happens. It's where people in the town can meet and make important decisions about their community.
Its Unique Look
The building is a tall, wooden structure with 1-1/2 stories. It has a roof that slopes down towards the front. The outside walls are covered with original wooden siding called "clapboard." The building was moved in 2009, and its new foundation is made of concrete. However, it still has granite stones from its original foundation around the edges.
The front of the building is very balanced, with everything matching on both sides. There's a double door in the middle, with fancy pillars on each side. Above the doors, there's a cool triangular window. The windows on either side of the doors also have triangular decorations above them. Upstairs, in the attic area, you'll see two windows shaped like pointed arches. The edge of the roof has decorative wooden trim called "jigsawn bargeboard." Inside, the building still has its original doors and fixtures. It has two large rooms, one on each floor, perfect for meetings and events.
A Place for Everyone
Holden Town Hall was built in 1873. It's one of the best-preserved examples of a town hall from the late 1800s in Maine. We don't know for sure who designed it, but some people think it might have been George W. Orff, an architect from Bangor, Maine.
For many years, until about 1964, the town held its yearly meetings here. This is where people would gather to vote on local issues and make decisions for the town. Even today, the hall is sometimes used for smaller town meetings and for voting. It was also designed to be a place for community events and social gatherings, and it's still used for those things today. A local chapter of the Grange, which is a community organization often linked to farming and family, also used the hall from 1922 to 1995.
Why is it Important?
Holden Town Hall is important because it shows us what town halls looked like and how they were used in the late 1800s. It has been well-cared for over the years. Being listed on the National Register of Historic Places means it's recognized as a significant part of American history and culture.
