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 in Barre, Vermont was built in 1900. It was a place where people debated important ideas about workers' rights and the future of jobs in the United States during the early 1900s. These discussions involved different groups like anarchists, socialists, and union leaders.
The Hall is located in what used to be the Italian part of Barre. It is a two-story brick building with a flat roof and a smaller hall at the back. The building is important because it shows the rich history of different cultures in Barre, especially the strong Italian community that moved there in the late 1800s.
This building is one of Barre's most important because of its direct connection to the labor movement, the community, and Italian immigration. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 2000. This honor recognized its role in the socialist, anarchist, and labor movements. It is also the only building known to have been built by volunteers from the Socialist Labor Party.
Building Design and Look
The Hall's design does not follow a specific architectural style. However, its shape clearly shows it was meant to be a meeting place. The outside of the building has simple decorations made from Barre granite. The most important decoration is a carved circle. It shows an arm holding a hammer, which was the symbol of the Socialist Labor Party. The letters "SLP" are also carved there.
A Look Back at History
The building was constructed in 1900 by volunteers from the Italian community. They built it as a meeting hall for the Socialist Labor Party. This political group worked to improve society and labor conditions. The Hall gave the community a place to meet, organize, and have fun. Dances, boxing, and wrestling matches were held there. In 1901, a Co-Operative store opened in the basement. It helped provide important goods for the community.
When the Hall opened in 1900, most workers in Barre belonged to a union. Many of them likely attended union meetings and political events held at the Hall. From 1900 to 1936, the building housed the offices and meetings of the Granite Cutters' International Association. This was the largest local union for granite workers in the country at that time. Famous labor leaders like Eugene Debs and Samuel Gompers visited Barre. It is believed they spoke at the Hall, though this is not fully confirmed.
During the 1912 Lawrence textile strike in Lawrence, Massachusetts, the Italian community in Barre helped 35 children of the striking workers. These children were welcomed at the Hall. In 1903, during a political gathering, an argument broke out between socialists and anarchists. Sadly, this led to the accidental shooting of Elia Corti. He was a well-known Italian stone carver who created parts of the Robert Burns Memorial statue in Barre.
In 1936, the Hall was sold and became a warehouse. It was used by The Washington Fruit Company and later by the Vermont Pak Tomato company.
The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. It was then named a National Historic Landmark in 2000.
In 1995, the Barre Historical Society bought the Hall. With a lot of support, they worked to restore it. Their goal was to make it a library, a community meeting hall, and a social club. On July 10–11, 2007, the Labor Hall was flooded by rain. Four feet of water filled the basement. This damaged walls, equipment, and important historical documents stored there.
The Hall has been used for many different community projects and events over the years. In 2006, the Hall was used for the first rehearsals and performances of the musical Hadestown. This musical later became very popular and opened on Broadway in 2019. The writer of Hadestown, Anaïs Mitchell, grew up nearby.
More to Explore
- Socialist Hall, another building listed on the National Register of Historic Places
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Vermont
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington County, Vermont
