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 very old and important building. It is located at 2 High Street in the village of Sanbornville, which is part of Wakefield, New Hampshire. This building was built in 1895. It is a great example of a building style called Romanesque architecture. For over a hundred years, it has been a center for town meetings and fun community events.
The building is so special that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. It was also listed on the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places in 2002. These lists help protect important historical places.
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
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. This is also where New Hampshire Route 109 runs.
Building Style and Materials
It is a two-story building made of strong materials. The main part is built from brick. It also has fancy trim made from granite stone. The roof is shaped like a hip, which means it slopes down on all four sides. You can see wide dormer windows sticking out from the roof on the sides facing the streets.
The Tall Tower
At the street corner, there is a tall, square tower. This tower rises about 75 feet (23 m) high. It has a pointy, pyramid-shaped roof on top. The upper parts of the tower hold an open belfry, which is where bells might be. There is also a clock for everyone to see. The lower parts of the tower have windows. These windows are set into slightly curved, round-arch panels.
A Place for the Community
The Wakefield Town Hall and Opera House was designed by an architect named Alvah T. Ramsdell. It was finished in 1895. This new building replaced an older town hall in Wakefield Village. That older building is still standing today.
Town Government and Performances
The main job of this Romanesque-style building is to be the home of the local government. This is where town leaders meet and make decisions. But it also has a big space on the top floor. This space is used for many fun activities. People can watch plays, listen to music, and hold other community events there.
Past and Present Uses
When the building was first built, the ground floor had different uses. There were shops, a bank, and even a post office. Over time, these spaces changed. Now, they are all used for town offices. This means more space for the local government to serve the community.
See also
