Dedicated

In 1852, the town of Fitchburg, Massachusetts—then a town—recognized the need to replace its inadequate 1792 Town Hall. A committee was appointed to explore the construction of a new Town Hall. After deliberations on the building’s location, the committee settled on a site just south of the Upper Common. The project received funding through a town meeting appropriation of $20,000, with $14,000 allocated for the building, $2,000 for furnishings, and $4,000 for the land. Col. Ivers Phillips, a member of the building committee, took on the task of constructing the hall within the allotted budget. He assembled a team of local craftsmen, including stone masons, carpenters, timber framers, and brick-makers, to complete the project. The result was the Fitchburg City Hall, a two-story Italianate design featuring brick walls on a granite foundation, brick pilasters, granite lintels, and a gently sloped slate roof. The first floor housed offices, while the second floor boasted a large auditorium meeting room with balconies. The dedication ceremony took place on January 7, 1853. Over time, the building underwent alterations, including a four-story addition in 1879 by architect Henry M. Francis. 

“Old City Hall”

The two-story Italianate design featured brick walls on a granite foundation with brick pilasters and granite lintels, and a gently sloped slate roof. The design featured offices on the first floor and a large auditorium meeting room with balconies on the second floor. 

The city hall and surrounding area have been updated and look wonderful, please check back for follow-up photos.

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