Pelham Town Hall Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Pelham Town Hall Historic District
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Old Pelham Town Hall (1743)
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Daniel Shays Highway and Amherst Road, Pelham, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 2.6 acres (1.1 ha) |
| Built | 1739 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Colonial |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000085 |
| Added to NRHP | November 23, 1971 |
The Pelham Town Hall Historic District is a special area in Pelham, Massachusetts. It shows what's left of the town's original center, planned between 1738 and 1743. This district includes the Old Town Hall, built in 1743. Many people believe it's the oldest town hall in the United States that's still used!
You'll also find a beautiful 1843 church and the town's very first cemetery from 1739. This important district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
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Exploring the Pelham Town Hall Historic District
The Pelham Town Hall Historic District is like a time capsule. It helps us understand how towns were set up long ago. This area is important for its history and the old buildings it protects.
How Pelham's Center Began
The land that became Pelham was bought in 1738. It was purchased by a group called the Lisburn Proprietors. These were people who had moved from Scotland and Ireland.
In 1739, a large piece of land was set aside. It was about 10 acres (4 hectares). This land was planned for a meeting house, a place to hold stray animals (a town pound), a training field, and a cemetery.
The meeting house was built on this land in 1743. This building is now the town hall. It was used for both religious services and town meetings.
After 1833, the state decided that church and government should be separate. So, the meeting house stopped being used for religious purposes. A new church was built next door in 1839. This church now houses the local historical society.
The town center is also famous for a historical event. It was the last place where rebel forces gathered. These forces were led by Daniel Shays during Shays' Rebellion.
What Makes These Buildings Special?
The buildings in the district show different styles of architecture. They tell us about building trends from the past.
The Old Town Hall's Look
The town hall is a two-story building made of wood. It has a pointed roof and its outside is covered with clapboards. The front of the building has five sections. A square entrance area sticks out from the middle. This style is typical of colonial buildings.
The Church's Design
The church is a single-story building, also made of wood. Its pointed roof is set differently from the town hall's. It has special flat columns on its corners called pilasters. These go up to a decorative band called an entablature. On top, there is a square bell tower. This tower has an eight-sided spire. The church shows the Greek Revival style, popular in the 1800s.
