Tyngsborough Old Town Hall.
Tyngsborough's Old Town Hall building was originally built as a Baptist Church by the Tyngsborough Baptist Society in 1834. The land for it was purchased from Dr. Calvin Thomas, Tyngsborough's first town doctor, who lived across the street in the Farwell House.
Originally, the building had a steeple, very much like the one on the First Parish Meeting House. The building was constructed without a balcony or stage. In the center of the main floor was a large raised circular pulpit around which the parishioners would sit, allowing the preacher to turn 360 degrees to face them. By 1857, the building was vacant and remained so until 1864, when the town purchased it at auction to be used as a Town Hall and school room.
Upon its purchase, the town removed the steeple, giving the building the appearance of a New England barn. The main floor was used as a school room, while the basement was used for political caucus. Two widely-spaced doors were added to the front of the building, providing separate entrances for boys and girls which led to separate coat rooms before opening up to the large school room. Between the coat rooms was a third room that would later be used as the Town Library prior to the completion of the Littlefield Library. In the center of the school-room was a large five or six foot wood stove, which not only provided heat for the students, but also separated them, with boys on one side of the room, and girls on the other. Above the coat rooms was another room where advanced studies were taught, typically in the areas of advanced math, Greek, and Latin. The large circular pulpit which was used by the Baptist ministers was taken to the basement and used for political meetings, and the current safe located in the basement today was added some time before 1870.
In 1892, The Winslow School in its current location was completed, and the Town Hall went through many changes as a result. At this time, the stage, balcony, and front porch were all added. A prominent Town resident, Orrin Fitzgerald, who owned Colonial Hall, also known as the Brinley Mansion, donated the money to build the beautiful cupola.
In 1909, the Town of Tyngsborough celebrated its Centennial and thus the building received a new coat of paint and a fire safety asbestos curtain for the stage. Building lighting was provided by open flame lamps, and stage lighting was provided by cadmium lamps which burned very hot. Later that year, Albert Flint installed a dynamo in his box shop across the street, and electricity was brought to the Town Hall. At this time, The Grange and The Village Improvement Association hosted countless events within the Town Hall, especially the ever popular town plays put on by Tyngsborough residents. It truly was the center of town.
Many organizations used the space within the Town Hall. The Village Improvement Association (VIA) hosted fairs and annual or biannual plays. The Grange also hosted fairs and community events which were very popular among the townspeople. All voting was conducted within the Town Hall. The Winslow School used the space for student assemblies. And beginning in 1947, the Police Department occupied part of the basement, moving into the main hall starting around 1967. As the Town government grew, more Town Offices and Departments were located within the building of the Town Hall.
When the new Town Hall building and Library were built on Bryants Lane in 1998, the old Town Hall was abandoned and the Tyngsborough Historical Commission began work on registering the building with the National Register of Historic Places and begun the process of planning for preservation.
In the Spring of 2010 at Town Meeting, the town approved and funded the design of a preservation, restoration, and renovation project of the Old Town Hall. Then, in the Spring of 2011 at Town Meeting, the Town approved and funded the Old Town Hall construction project, not only preserving, but restoring and renovating the building to better serve the current needs of Tyngsborough residents. The renovation began in February of 2013 and was completed in December of 2013.
**to learn more about the vital role The Old Town Hall played in the shaping of the town and the residents who enjoyed her space, please check out our film, "Only A Building."
Tyngsborough's Old Town Hall building was originally built as a Baptist Church by the Tyngsborough Baptist Society in 1834. The land for it was purchased from Dr. Calvin Thomas, Tyngsborough's first town doctor, who lived across the street in the Farwell House.
Originally, the building had a steeple, very much like the one on the First Parish Meeting House. The building was constructed without a balcony or stage. In the center of the main floor was a large raised circular pulpit around which the parishioners would sit, allowing the preacher to turn 360 degrees to face them. By 1857, the building was vacant and remained so until 1864, when the town purchased it at auction to be used as a Town Hall and school room.
Upon its purchase, the town removed the steeple, giving the building the appearance of a New England barn. The main floor was used as a school room, while the basement was used for political caucus. Two widely-spaced doors were added to the front of the building, providing separate entrances for boys and girls which led to separate coat rooms before opening up to the large school room. Between the coat rooms was a third room that would later be used as the Town Library prior to the completion of the Littlefield Library. In the center of the school-room was a large five or six foot wood stove, which not only provided heat for the students, but also separated them, with boys on one side of the room, and girls on the other. Above the coat rooms was another room where advanced studies were taught, typically in the areas of advanced math, Greek, and Latin. The large circular pulpit which was used by the Baptist ministers was taken to the basement and used for political meetings, and the current safe located in the basement today was added some time before 1870.
In 1892, The Winslow School in its current location was completed, and the Town Hall went through many changes as a result. At this time, the stage, balcony, and front porch were all added. A prominent Town resident, Orrin Fitzgerald, who owned Colonial Hall, also known as the Brinley Mansion, donated the money to build the beautiful cupola.
In 1909, the Town of Tyngsborough celebrated its Centennial and thus the building received a new coat of paint and a fire safety asbestos curtain for the stage. Building lighting was provided by open flame lamps, and stage lighting was provided by cadmium lamps which burned very hot. Later that year, Albert Flint installed a dynamo in his box shop across the street, and electricity was brought to the Town Hall. At this time, The Grange and The Village Improvement Association hosted countless events within the Town Hall, especially the ever popular town plays put on by Tyngsborough residents. It truly was the center of town.
Many organizations used the space within the Town Hall. The Village Improvement Association (VIA) hosted fairs and annual or biannual plays. The Grange also hosted fairs and community events which were very popular among the townspeople. All voting was conducted within the Town Hall. The Winslow School used the space for student assemblies. And beginning in 1947, the Police Department occupied part of the basement, moving into the main hall starting around 1967. As the Town government grew, more Town Offices and Departments were located within the building of the Town Hall.
When the new Town Hall building and Library were built on Bryants Lane in 1998, the old Town Hall was abandoned and the Tyngsborough Historical Commission began work on registering the building with the National Register of Historic Places and begun the process of planning for preservation.
In the Spring of 2010 at Town Meeting, the town approved and funded the design of a preservation, restoration, and renovation project of the Old Town Hall. Then, in the Spring of 2011 at Town Meeting, the Town approved and funded the Old Town Hall construction project, not only preserving, but restoring and renovating the building to better serve the current needs of Tyngsborough residents. The renovation began in February of 2013 and was completed in December of 2013.
**to learn more about the vital role The Old Town Hall played in the shaping of the town and the residents who enjoyed her space, please check out our film, "Only A Building."