Wakefield Town Hall and Opera House facts for kids
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Wakefield Town Hall and Opera House
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | 2 High St., Wakefield, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 0.2 acres (0.081 ha) |
| Built | 1895 |
| Architect | Alvah T. Ramsdell |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 07000550 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | June 12, 2007 |
The Wakefield Town Hall and Opera House is a special old building located at 2 High Street in the Sanbornville area of Wakefield, New Hampshire. It was built in 1895 and is a great example of Romanesque architecture, which is a style of building that looks strong and grand. This building has been a busy place for town meetings and fun events since it was first built. It was recognized as an important historical site and added to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places in 2002. Later, in 2007, it was also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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Exploring the Wakefield Town Hall
The Wakefield Town Hall and Opera House stands out in the middle of Sanbornville. You can find it at the corner of High Street and Meadow Street, which is also New Hampshire Route 109. It's a two-story building made of strong brick with fancy granite details. The roof is shaped like a hip roof, which means it slopes down on all four sides. It also has wide dormer windows that stick out from the roof on the sides facing the streets.
The Tower and Its Features
At the corner of the building, there's a tall, square tower that reaches about 75 feet (23 meters) high. It has a pointy roof on top. The upper parts of the tower hold an open belfry, which is where bells would be, and a clock. The lower sections of the tower have windows set into slightly curved, round-arch panels, giving it a classic look.
History of the Town Hall
This important building was designed by an architect named Alvah T. Ramsdell. It was finished in 1895. Before this building, the town had an older town hall in Wakefield Village, which is still standing today.
What the Building Was Used For
The Wakefield Town Hall and Opera House is built in the Romanesque Revival style. It mainly serves as the place where the local government of Wakefield operates. This means it's where town officials work and where important decisions for the community are made.
But it's not just for government! The upper floor has a large space called an "opera house." This space is used for many different activities, like plays, music concerts, and other social gatherings for the community. When the building was first opened, the ground floor also had other uses. It housed shops, a bank, and even the post office. Over time, these spaces have been changed and are now used as town offices.
See Also
