Mechanics' Hall (Portland, Maine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mechanics' Hall
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Front of Mechanics' Hall
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 519 Congress Street, Portland, Maine |
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| Built | 1857–1859 |
| Architect | Thomas J. Sparrow |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000118 |
| Added to NRHP | 1973 |
Mechanics' Hall is a really old and important building in downtown Portland, Maine. You can find it at 519 Congress Street. This historic place was built between 1857 and 1859. It was made by and for the members of the Maine Charitable Mechanic Association.
The building is a great example of Italianate architecture. This means it has a special style with brick and stone. It's a well-known landmark in Portland's busy downtown area. In 1973, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes important historical sites across the country.
The Maine Charitable Mechanic Association still owns the building today. It also houses the association's library. This group started way back in 1815. It was a social club that helped skilled workers and business owners. These people were often called "mechanics" back then. They also helped their apprentices, who were learning a trade.
What Mechanics' Hall Looks Like
Mechanics' Hall is on the north side of Congress Street. It's right at the corner of Casco Street in downtown Portland. The building looks like it has three stories, but it actually has two. This is because the second floor is super tall, about 33 feet high!
The front of the building is made of granite. The sides and back are made of brick. On the front, you'll see two shop entrances. These are on either side of the main entrance to the building. The main entrance has stone posts and a stone top. The building's name is carved into this stone.
The windows on the upper floor are tall. They have rounded tops and decorative stone details. A fancy, bracketed ledge sticks out along the street-facing sides. Inside, the ground floor has a hall. You can get to it from both Congress and Casco Streets. This floor also has space for the association's library. The top floor used to be one big meeting room. Now, it has been divided into two separate floors.
The Maine Charitable Mechanic Association (MCMA) started in 1815. It was a group that helped people working in "mechanical arts." These were skilled trades. The association put on shows, trade fairs, and talks. They also built up a large library over time.
A Look Back: History of Mechanics' Hall
This building was constructed from 1857 to 1859. Members of the association built it themselves. The design was created by Thomas P. Sparrow. He was also a member of the association. This building is one of only three designs by Sparrow that still exist. It is considered the best one.
Thomas P. Sparrow was an architect from Portland. The building was made using granite and stone from Biddeford. It was officially opened on February 23, 1859. In 1861, troops used the building before going to fight in the Civil War.
The building survived the Great Fire of 1866. This was a huge fire that destroyed much of Portland. After the fire, the building was used for city services.
The inside of the upper level was changed in 1890. A famous Portland architect named John Calvin Stevens drew the plans. He helped turn the space into offices and a bigger library.
In the 2010s, the building was cleaned up and fixed. This included both the inside and outside. In March 2015, the newly fixed ballroom was opened to the public. It was the first time in over fifty years! The building also won an award in 2016. This was for fixing the metal details at its base.
