Simsbury Townhouse facts for kids
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Simsbury Townhouse
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 695 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury, Connecticut |
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| Area | 0.6 acres (0.24 ha) |
| Built | 1839 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Part of | Simsbury Center Historic District (ID96000356) |
| NRHP reference No. | 93000209 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 2, 1993 |
| Designated CP | April 12, 1996 |
The Simsbury Townhouse is a very old and important building in Simsbury, Connecticut. It's located at 695 Hopmeadow Street. Built in 1839, it used to be the main office for the town, like a city hall, until 1931. This building is a great example of Greek Revival architecture, which was a popular style long ago. In 1993, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it is still used by the community for different activities.
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What is the Simsbury Townhouse?
The Simsbury Townhouse is found in the southern part of downtown Simsbury. It is just north of the First Church of Christ. The building is made of wood and has a pointed roof. Its outside walls are covered with overlapping wooden boards.
Building Design
The front of the building looks like an ancient Greek temple. It has tall, fluted columns that hold up a decorative band and a triangular roof section. The front wall under this area is smooth and has two doors placed evenly.
Inside the Townhouse
Inside, there is one large room. At the far end, there is a stage. The lower part of the walls has wooden panels that go up about four feet. The rest of the walls are smooth, made of plaster. The ceiling is covered with wooden boards that have small decorative grooves.
History of the Townhouse
For many years, town meetings in Simsbury were held in the local church. But in 1833, the church built a new building. They decided not to let town meetings happen there anymore. This meant Simsbury needed its own building for town business.
Finding a New Meeting Place
Before the Townhouse was built, town meetings took place in different spots. Finally, in 1839, this special building was constructed. It was first built on top of a hill near where it is now.
Moving the Building
The Simsbury Townhouse was actually moved two times! It was first moved in 1843. Then, in 1869, it was moved to its current spot. Even though it wasn't officially called the "Townhouse" until 1882, it served as the town's main office from 1839 until 1931.
New Uses for the Townhouse
In 1931, the town offices moved to a new building called the Eno Memorial Hall. The Simsbury Townhouse then started to be used for other fun activities. In 1934, the local Boy Scout group even rented it. The town still owns the building today, and people can rent it for events.
