Socialist Labor Party Hall facts for kids
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Socialist Labor Party Hall
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Socialist Labor Party Hall
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | 46 Granite Street, Barre City, Vermont |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1900 |
| NRHP reference No. | 98001267 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 22, 1998 |
| Designated NHL | May 16, 2000 |
The Socialist Labor Party Hall is a historic building in Barre, Vermont. It was built in 1900 by volunteers. This hall was a very important place for discussions about the future of workers' rights. Different groups, like socialists (who believe in sharing resources and power) and union leaders (who represent workers), met here. They debated how to improve conditions for workers in the United States in the early 1900s.
The hall is located in what was once the Italian part of Barre. It is a two-story brick building with a flat roof. It shows the rich history of the many Italian immigrants who came to Barre in the late 1800s.
This building is one of Barre's most important landmarks. It is directly connected to the labor movement, the community, and Italian immigration. In 2000, it was named a National Historic Landmark. This honor recognizes its special link to socialist and labor movements. It is also the only known building built entirely by volunteers from the Socialist Labor Party.
Contents
What Does the Hall Look Like?
The Socialist Labor Party Hall has a simple design. It was built to be a meeting place. The outside has decorations made from local Barre granite. The most important decoration is a carved circle. It shows an arm holding a hammer. This was the symbol of the Socialist Labor Party, along with their initials, SLP.
A Look Back: The Hall's History
Building a Community Hub
Volunteers from the Italian community built the hall in 1900. It was a meeting place for the Socialist Labor Party. This group wanted to make society and work better for everyone. The Hall gave the community a place to meet, organize, and have fun. People held dances, boxing matches, and wrestling events here. In 1901, a Co-Operative store opened in the basement. It helped provide important goods for the community.
A Center for Workers' Rights
When the Hall opened, most workers in Barre belonged to a union. Many of them likely attended meetings and rallies at the Hall. From 1900 to 1936, the Granite Cutters' International Association had its offices here. This was the biggest union for granite workers in the country. Famous labor leaders, like Eugene Debs and Samuel Gompers, visited Barre. They likely spoke at the Hall, inspiring workers.
Helping Others and Facing Challenges
The Hall also played a role in helping families. During textile strikes in Lawrence, Massachusetts, the Italian community in Barre helped 35 children of the striking workers. These children were welcomed at the Hall.
Sometimes, political meetings could be intense. In 1903, during one gathering, a disagreement happened between different groups. Sadly, this led to a tragic event where a well-known Italian stone carver, Elia Corti, was hurt.
Changes Over Time
In 1936, the Hall was sold. It was turned into a warehouse for fruit and tomato companies. Later, in 1995, the Barre Historical Society bought the Hall. They worked hard to restore it. Their goal was to make it a library, a community meeting place, and a social club again.
In 2007, heavy rain caused flooding. Four feet of water filled the basement. This damaged walls, equipment, and important historical documents.
A Stage for New Stories
Over the years, the Hall has been used for many community projects. In 2006, it became a rehearsal space. The musical Hadestown had its first rehearsals and performances here. This musical later became a big hit on Broadway in 2019. The writer of Hadestown, Anaïs Mitchell, grew up nearby.
More to Explore
- Socialist Hall, another historic building
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Vermont
