Old Town Hall (Chester, Connecticut) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Old Town Hall
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | On the green between Liberty St. and Goose Hill Rd., Chester, Connecticut |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1793-1794 |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001310 |
| Added to NRHP | February 23, 1972 |
The Old Town Hall in Chester, Connecticut, is a very old and important building. It was built way back in 1793. For many years, it has been a central place for people in Chester to gather. It has been used for church services, important town meetings, and even fun plays. Because of its long history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. This means it's a special building worth protecting.
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What is the Old Town Hall Like?
The Old Town Hall is found in the heart of Chester, Connecticut. It sits at the top of an open grassy area called the Chester Green. You can find it between Liberty Street and Goose Hill Road.
Building's Design and Look
This building has two and a half stories. It's made from strong wooden beams, like a big timber-frame house. The outside is covered with overlapping wooden boards called clapboards. The roof is very steep and shaped like a triangle, which is called a gable roof. Inside, huge wooden trusses hold up the roof.
There are fancy main doors on the ends of the building. These doors have a special design called Federal style. They are not used anymore today. The building also has small additions on its north and south sides. One of these additions makes the entrance bigger. The other addition is a stage area, perfect for performances.
History of the Old Town Hall
The Old Town Hall has had many different jobs over the years. It started as a place for people to worship and hold important community gatherings.
From Church to Town Hall
When it was first built in 1793, the building was a meeting house. It was mainly used by the local Congregational church. At that time, Chester was still part of Old Saybrook, Connecticut. The church used this building until 1845. Then, they built a new church on West Main Street.
In 1836, Chester officially became its own town. A few years later, in 1847, the town bought the old meeting house for $300. It then became the town hall. This is where important town meetings were held for many years.
A Place for Plays and Meetings
In 1876, the building was changed quite a bit. It was remodeled to become a theater! People used it for local plays and even high school graduation ceremonies. Even with these changes, it still served as the main place for town meetings until 1960. The Old Town Hall truly has a rich history as a central gathering spot for the community.
See also
