MAWinchesterTownHall

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CORNER STONE LAYING AT WINCHESTER TOWN HALL, JUNE 1887

From Liberal Freemason, Vol. XI, No. 5, August 1887, Page 156:

Winchester's Town Hall. — In 1850, when Winchester was incorporated a town, Col. W. P. Winchester, in whose honor it was named, presented a sum of money with the suggestion that it be made the nucleus of a town hall fund. A year ago it was decided to build a town hall. The necessary appropriation to be used in connection with the Winchester fund was made and a location decided upon. The lot selected is on the corner of Pleasant and Washing ton Streets, near the centre of the town, in close proximity to the grammar schoolhouse, Baptist, Methodist and Episcopal churches, and the building when completed, will add another ornament to this already beautiful section.

The building will be about 210 feet long and 78 feet wide, with a tower 131 feet high. The foundation is of granite, and the structure will be of brick and freestone. The principal hall will be 75 feet by 50 feet, with a stage and ante-rooms 22 feet deep, having a seating capacity with the galleries of 1000. In the rear, separated by a steel drop curtain, which can be raised, will be a smaller hall, 34 feet by 45 feet, seating 300. Offices have been arranged for the selectmen, town clerk, treasurer, collector, water registrar, water board, school committee, historical society, and a portion of the basement will be occupied by the police department. The easterly portion of the building is intended for the public library and reading rooms, with ample accommodations for these purposes. The entire cost will exceed $60,000.

The foundation being finished, the ceremony of laying the corner stone was performed by the Grand Lodge F. and A. M. of Massachusetts on Tuesday, June 28th, in the afternoon. William Parkman Lodge assembled at Masonic Hall and escorted the Grand Lodge to the town hall, where the following exercises took place:

  • Singing by the Temple Quartette;
  • Request by Deputy Grand Master R. M. Field;
  • Reply of Most Worshipful Grand Master Henry Endicott;
  • Reading of scriptures and prayer by Grand Chaplain Rev. Fielder Israel;
  • Report upon the historical matters deposited in the box, by Rev. George Cooke;
  • Presentation of the working tools;
  • Address by the Grand Master;
  • Proclamation by Grand Marshal G. H. Rhodes;
  • Anthem, followed by benediction.

The contents of the box consisted of a map of Waterfield — the original name of this reservation – in 1637; names of the earliest English proprietors; particulars incorporation of Charlestown, 1640, Woburn 1642, Winchester 1850; copies of antique deeds and wills; copy of town charter; photographs of all church edifices, all the principal town officers since incorporation, and all postmasters; copies of town historical record; United States coins of various denominations, etc. A banquet was served at Masonic Hall in the evening to which members, guests and their ladies were admitted. We are under obligations to he brethren of Winchester and their committee of management for very enjoyable occasion.