Nomination for Peabody City Hall

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form 10-300 (July 1969) PH0006343 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM (Type all entries - complete applicable sections) NO DB$72000142 STATE: Massachusetts COUNTY: Essex FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER JUN 27 1972 DATE NAME COMMON: Peabody City Hall AND/OR HISTORIC: originally Peabody Town Hall LOCATION STREET AND NUMBER: 24 Lowell Street CITY OR TOWN: Congressional District # 6 Peabody STATE CODE COUNTY: Massachusetts 025 3. CLASSIFICATION CATEGORY OWNERSHIP (Check One) District Building Site Structure Object X Public Private Both Public Acquisition: In Process Being Considered Essex CODE 009 STATUS Occupied Unoccupied - Preservation work in progress ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC Yes: Restricted Unrestricted No 4 5.

PRESENT USE (Check One or More as Appropriate) Agricultural Government Commercial Industrial Educational Military Entertainment Museum OWNER OF PROPERTY OWNER'S NAME: City of Peabody STREET AND NUMBER: 24 Lowell Street CITY OR TOWN: Peabody LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE, REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC: South Essex Registry of Deeds STREET AND NUMBER: 32 Federal Street CITY OR TOWN: Salem Park Private Residence Religious Scientific 10 RECEIVED APR 18 1972 NATIONAL PEGISTS Transportation - Other (Specify) -- Comments Massachusetts CODE 025 Massachusetts Essex STATE Massachusetts CODE 025 REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE OF SURVEY: Inventory of Historic Assets of the Commonwealth, Archives Museum, Office of the Secretary DATE OF SURVEY: 1971 Federal State County Local DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS: Archives Museum, Office of the Secretary STREET AND NUMBER: JUN 27 1972 State House CITY OR TOWN: Boston STATE: Massachusetts CODE 025 STATE: COUNTY: ENTRY NUMBER FOR NPS USE ONLY 9L100 PESERISIUON (Check One) Excellent - Good CONRUTON - Fair - Deteriorated Ruins Unexposed (Check One) (Check One) X] Unaltered DESCHIBE THRAYSENT AND ORIOINAL(I KOWN) PRIVAIEAL APPEARANCE L Moved Original Site - The Peabody City Hall is a three-story rectangular structure with a high basement and mansard roof.

The main block of the building measures 106' by 90'. The projecting vestibule and portico on the Lowell Street side measures 54'by 30'. The principal entrance to the building is on the north or Lowell Street side. Chest- nut Street lies to the east and Church Street to the south and west. Directly adjacent to Peabody City Hall are several other mid- and late nineteenth century buildings, which are generally well preserved and of good quality. Diagonally across Lowell Street is the fire station of the late 19th century, which in its materials (brick and granite) and details (arched windows and oculi) appears to have been designed to complement the City Hall. On Chestnut Street there is ae toe of voapen boruste remodor ines and vie tiemost oritheir arignral detail. Other buildings of note are the Catholic Church, convent buildings and two Greek Revival houses to the rear of the City Hall.

The material of the City Hall building is brick with a rusticated foundation and all trim of granite from Hallowell, Maine. Granite curbing, apparently original surrounds the building lot. The present roofing material is asphalt shingles. The small central cupola is faced with copper. One of the most distinctive exterior features of the building is its mansard vroof, which as four straight-sided corner pavillions and a larger central one in which is located the principal entrance. The curved'roof of the central pavillion is crowned with the small copper-clad cupola with a round headed window on each of the four sides. Two small round windows or oculi are found at the roof level on each of the projecting central bays of the east and west sides of the building. The treatment of the walls is similar on all four sides of the building.

The present new windows have frames of bronze-anodized aluminum and are double- hung sash with single panes of plate glass. Wooden panels are used on the upper parts of most windows. The basement and first-floor windows have plain granite lintels; those on the second floor have granite segmental arches and those on the third floor have curved arches of granite with keystones. The sills and lintels of the windows are continued as string courses all the way around the building, with the exception of the second-floor arches, which are separate. The architrave of the entablature also consists of a granite string course. Panel-brick detailing simula- ting triglyphs and metopes is used in the frieze above. The central bay of the main facade is distinguished by an entrance portico supported by granite columns with composite capitals.

The double doors are approached by a divided granite staircase. Above the entablature is a triangular pediment, capped by the curved roof of the center pavillion. Although extensive exterior renovations have been done in the past year, the exterior of the Peabody City Hall remains very close to its original condition and appearance. These renovations included replacing the windows, pointing the brick- work and sandblasting the granite trim. The slate roof was replaced by asphalt shingling. The roof originally had copper cresting and oculi on the central and corner pavillions, and there was originally a balustrade above the central portico.

[continued] Form 10-300a (July 1969) UNITER'STAES DERARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE TENAL PORK SERVICE Massachusetts NATÍONALIREGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES COUNTY ANAVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM Essex Page 1 NATIONAL FOR NPS USE ONLY ,{Continuation Sheet, ENTRY NUMBER DATE JUN 2 7 1972 (Number all entries) 7. Description Tg In 1928 tracings were done by George A. Barnaby of the architect's original plans. These show a somewhat different treatment of the central bay with no portico and slightly different fenestration. The second-floor windows, like those on the first floor, were to have had plain lintels rather than arches. Modifications in these plans were apparently made by the architect at the request of the building committee. Although there have been some remodellings, particularly on the basement level, the interior of the Peabody City Hall retains its 19th century character.

The vestibule contains two curving staircases leading to the Auditorium above. On the first floor is a large hall, now the Council Chamber, measuring 42'by 60' and seating 500. The most significant interior feature of the building is, however, the Auditorium, which, with stage and balcony, takes up the entire second and third floor levels. This Audi- torium measures 102' by 70' with a minimum height of 33' and has a seating capacity of 1500. This hall has been allowed to deteriorate over the years, but it is in been allowed to adtororate ov restorable condition. Of special interest are the remaining gas chandeliers; the balcony rail of cast iron finished with copper bronze; and the ceiling decorations done by Matthew L. Robinson of Boston, who also painted the original scenery and drop curtain. 8.

Significance Victoria sent a cablegram expressing the gratitude of her people for George Peabody's benevolence to her country. Included in the centennial activities was a banquet for 630 formally attired guests, who were served a variety of shellfish cooked five different ways, four kinds of fowl and game and three meat dishes, plus eight desserts and miscellaneous side dishes, after which a ball was held, affording much needed exercise The hall was used for many Essex County activities -- agricultural fairs, poultry exhibitions, teachers association conventions and Hibernian Society celebrations. In one peak year, as many as fifty organizations used the facilities, even including a show put on by the Kickapoo Indian Medicine Company to promote its remedies. In 1916 Peabody became a city and shortly thereafter 1, 500 citizens attended the inauguration of Peabody's first city government.

The Great Hall was the scene of political rallies, church jubilees and in 1919, as part of the World War One Victory Celebration, 1,900 spectators watched boxing bouts. In 1922, 2, 000 people attended a football rally. As the Great Hall seated only 1,500, some 400 or 500 spectators at these last events must have overflowed into the hallways outside. A high point in enter- tainment took place in 1936 when Governor James M. Curley was the featured speaker. In 1941 a large banquet in the hall climaxed the celebration commemorating twenty-five years of city government. The Peabody High School graduation was held there for the last time in 1946, after which the final curtain fell on great events in the hall. At this time the State public safety officials prohibited the use of the Great Hall until extensive renovations could be made.

As other, newer auditorium facilities in the city had already lessened the need for this space, city officials were reluctant to spend the money to rehabilitate [continued] SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD (Check One or More as Appropriate) Pre-Columbian| 15th Century 16th Century 17th Century SPECIFIC DATE(S) (If Applicable and Known) AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE (Check One or More as Appropriate) Abor iginal Education Prehistoric Engineering Historic Industry Agriculture Invention Architecture Landscape Art Architecture Commerce Literature Communications Military Conservation Music 18th Century 19th Century 20th Century X 1883 Political Religion/Phi. losophy Science Sculpture Social/Human- itarian Theater Transportation 1141 Urban Plamoing /Other (Srebity) APK 18 19/2 / NATIONA REGIS STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Statement of significance

The City Hall in Peabody, built in 1883 as a Town Hall, is tremendously significant in the city's history, not only as the scene of local governmental activits but equally as the center of cultural and social affairs. As the town's population was 9,028, objections were raised to the size of the proposed building, a size since proven completely justified. The annual town meeting was of first importance and the raison d'etre for the construction of the Great Hall within. Because of the foresight of the town fathers, this large auditorium remained adequate to contain those citizens who wished to attend town meeting until Peabody became a city in 1916. At this time the population had grown to 18, 625. In the basement were the police court and headquarters, jail cells and the "transient quarters." On the first floor were town offices and the small hall seating 500.

On the second floor with open space extending to the third was the aforemen- tioned Great Hall. For many years this large hall with its balcony on three sides and stage on the fourthwas the localeof nearly every important event in Peabody, beginning with the impressive dedication in 1883, attended by about 1,500 people. For sixty-two years, from 1884 to 1946, the Peabody High School held its commencement exercises here. One of the earliest cultural events was a production of the opera "Virginia, " produced by the Boston Bijou Theatre Company and attended by 1,000 people. To raise funds, various groups presented a miscellany of plays and entertainments, ranging from "Our Boys" (1890) and "Crown of Fame" (1891) put on by the Women's Relief Corps No. 52, to the Peabody Women's Club produc- tion of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (1909).

"Heroes of '76, " described as a "dramatic cantata of the Revolution, " was presented in aid of the Ladies Benevolent Society (1885) and in the early 1900's, musical comedies were popular, such as the 1913 "Little Em'ly, " an offering by the Peabody I. O.O.F. As the seats in the hall were removeable, the space could be converted and opened up for dining and dancing. A Japanese wedding and party were celebrated there and, at a later date, a Firemen's Ball, attended by over 800 people, hardy souls who danced until 5:30 a. m. In 1904 the Peabody Board of Trade held a Ladies' Night with a banquet and entertainment. One of the most successful events in the hall took place on February 18, 1895.

Afternoon and evening exercises celebrated the centennial of the birth of George Peabody, "America's first great philanthropist, " for whom the town was named and whose charities not only encompassed this country but also extended across the Atlantic to Great Britain. In recognition of this celebration, Queen [continued]

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Hurd, D. H., ed., History of Essex County, Vol. II, Philadelphia, 1888. Statement of the Accounts of the Town of Peabody, for year ending January 31, 1883, Peabody, 1883. The Peabody Press, May 3, 1882. Wells, John, Historical Sketch of Peabody City Hall, 1971. GEOGRAPHICAL DATA LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES DEFINING A RECTANGLE LOCATING THE PROPERTY LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES DEFINING THE CENTER POINT OF A PROPERTY OF LESS THAN TEN ACRES CORNER LATITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds LONGITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds R LATITUDE LONGITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds NW NE 42° 31' 35" 70° 55 44 " SE APPROXIMA TE DEREAGE GE OF/NOMINATED PROPERTY: less than one acre ILIST ALKSPATEBA STATE: RECENAR SOUN TLES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES CODE STATE: APR 18 STATE: NATIONAL CODE COUNTY: CODE REGISTE.

CODE COUNTY: CODE STATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE FORMPREPARED BY NAME AND TITLE: Anne Wardwell, Survey Director ORGANIZATION Massachusetts Historical Commission, Office of the Secretary STREET AND NUMBER: DATE January 11, 1972 CITY OR TOWN: Boston STATE LIAISON OFFICER CERTIFICATION CODE 025 Massachusetts NATIONAL REGISTER VERIFICATION As the designated State Liaison Officer for the Na- tional Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service. The recommended le of significance of this nomination is: tiona1 tate Local X 14.x.Dovore Sec Cha Titl arv of the Commonwealth and man, Massachusetts Historical Commission I hereby certify that this property is included in the Nationa1 Register.

Cokertu Chief, Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation Date 6/21/22 ATTEST Gnlhe April 6, 1972 Date Date GP 0 901.087 Z C ONS Form 10-300a July 1969) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM STATE Massachusetts COUNTY Essex Page 2 (Continuation Sheet) FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER JUN 2% 1972 DATE (Number all entries) 8. Significance Of course all town and city hall activity did not take place in the Great Hall as various forms of celebration and amusement. The serious business of a rapidly growing community was conducted in the city hall offices, while elsewhere drunks and tramps were being housed in the basement "transient quarters" and the City Council meetings were being held in the smaller hall on the first floor.

The Peabody City Hall is a fine and unusually well preserved example of late 19th-century civic architecture. The building is in the French mansard or Second Empire style, first used widely in this country in the 1860's and 1870's, although its continued use in the 1880's was not common. Boston's Old City Hall (1862-65) was undoubtedly the prototype as it was for so many other city and town halls near Boston during this period. Although the choice of the mansard style was a bit old-fashioned for the date (1883), the simplicity of wall surfaces and the absence of elaborate pilasters, moldings, etc. mark the building as belonging to the early 1880's. The panel-brick detailing in the entablature is also a characteristic feature in buildings of the 1870's and 1880's. The architect, Rufus Sargent (1812-1886), lived in Newburyport for over forty years.

His practice during the larger part of his life was primarily local and limited to Essex County and southern New Hampshire. Sargent appears to have been typical of the builder-architects of the period, whose work, in spite of a lack of formal architectural training, often shows remarkable sensitivity and sophistication. As Essex County and southern New Hampshire are more thoroughly surveyed, it will undoubtedly be possible to document his career more completely. Today, with a population of over 48,000, the City of Peabody still appreciates and enjoys its City Hall. Rather than consider construction of a new building, they prefer to rehabilitate the existing one. To date, nearly $200, 000 has been spent on repointing the brick exterior, installing a new roof and reglazing the windows.

Once the Great Hall area is strengthened and rebuilt for new usage and other areas reorganized, it can serve commodiously the city's purposes for at least another 100 years. ^ 191110 RECÊIVED APR 18 1972 NATIONAL REGISTE DATE OF RECEIPT 4-18-72 DATA PAGE PHOTO (S) PHOTO DESCRIPTION (S) MAP (S) MAP DESCRIPTION (S) LOGGED ACKNOWLEDGE_4-20-72 RESUBMIT REVIEW PROPERTY PEABDDY CITY HALh YES NO NUMBER Essex STATE M.HSS REGISTER: JUN 2 7 1972 19L10 RECENED APK 18 1972 NATIONA! REGIST - uch 573 HISTORIAN N tpopr Sales 6/21/12 ARCHEOLOGIST ARCHITECT ok Cluaales 6119-72 ASST. KEEPER KEEPER WRITER/EDITOR oK Maruata DIRECTOR, OAHP EDITORIAL PROCESSING, EDITOR Federal Registry Entry_ 8- /- 72 Annual Edition Entry Logged 2 8 JUN 1972 Card 2 8 JUN 1972 COMMENTS: WORKING NUMBER 4.

18.72.506 CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: 11111111 ar3 mumber June 2, 1922 abody Cely Stall 100.- suay Conty aas futhea t coner, Nurth Lont facade ss_La-cll_ NOI TRUCT UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM (Type all entries - attach to or enclose with photograph) IAME CoMMoN: Peabody City Hall AND/OR HISTORIC: IION originally Peabody Town Hall STREET AND NUMBER: 24 Lowell Street CITY OR TOWN: Peabody STATE: STATE Massachusetts COUNTY Essex FOR NPS USE ENTRY NUMBER JUN 27.1972 CEVET APM 18- NATION REGIS1 Massachusetts PHOTO REFERENCE CODE COUNTY: 025 Essex PHOTO CREDIT: George Panagopoulos, Peabody, Mass., Police Dept. DATE OF PHOTO: 1972 NEGATIVE FILED AT: Police Department. Peabody, Mass. IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC.

Peabody City Hall, northeast corner, north, front facade on Lowe PROPERTY Form 10:301 - (July 1969) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY MAP FORM (Type all entries - attach to or enclose with map) STATE Massachusetts COUNTY Essex FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER JUN 27 1972 DATE = NAME cOMMON: Peabody City Hall AND/OR HISTORIC: originally Peabody Town Hall LOCATION STREET AND NUM BER: 24 Lowell Street CITY OR TOWN: Peabody STATE: Massachusetts REFERENCE SOURCE: U. S. G. S. Salem, Mass. SCALE: 1 : 24,000 DATE: 1956 REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1. Property broundaries where required. 2. North arrow. 3. Latitude and longitude reference.

CODE 025 COUNTY: Essex CODE 009 89LI10 RECÊNED AKH 18 7972 NATIONA REGIS: Fosters Pt Enak ieisea Cem pie River Project Depth NBass wärds Cjty Hall MA Danvers kenwood Golf Course Perere Point% Nörth Shorek Goif Course,o1 Salters Kernwood River Park 32'3 ST MARY CEM CTE MAINELE 16 Lobster Rocks B0 24 MP BEVERHY +11 HARBOR GARONEN Farnsworth Sch High Sch Carroll. a Sch GREENLAWN 60- Pickering Sch e Piver AND BRIDGÉ Cove fort Lea {Ngck AVE .70 -55 44 42° 3/' 350 Sch Sheridan 50. North \Salem Pickman Sph RMONY CEMETET North BOSTON BM 4710 20 Bentley Salem Common Sch FSt Mar Charter St taCem -,Sch BERBY Salen , Ferminat Whart PEABODY, MASS. CITY HALL U.S.G.S.

Scale 1956 SALEM, MASS 1:24,000 8/L9I|110 RECEVED APR 18 1972 NATIONA' REGIST- 12 outh House of Seven Gables a Derby Wharf / nm Ecole Sehr Light Long Saltonstall Sch Palmer Cove Palmer Pt 'OR CHARD 2 SALEM 4709 10 16 12 *forest River Parko ;Pickerihg 6. RBLEHEAD 4708 GOIPL Courses STATE TEACHERS COLLEGE' Jeggle Island Frato LYNN LYNTON MITY HALLI 12 ML. 55' 1 MILE 5000 6000 7000 FEET 1 KILOMETER FEET 'EL UMIS MEAN LOW WATER IE OF MEAN HIGH WATER YELY 9 FEET 1343 344000m.E. INTERIOR-GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, WASHINGTON, D. SWAMPSCOTT 2.3 Ml.Y LYNN 4.2 MI. Old South Bmitling? C.-1965-NS MARBLEHEAD 2.1 MI. Bell Tavem? M13SW Heavy-duty Medium-duty. Danvers Interstate Route middle5o ROAD CLASSIFICATION Light-duty Unimproved dirt === U. S. Route 2mddleton aschulee QUADRANGLE LOCATION- 4701 70°52'3 State Route CURACY STANDAROS ASHINGTON 25, D. C.

OLS IS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST This map agreosw SALEM, MASS. N4230W7052.5/7.5 Pam Choferi 1956 6869 RPSW SERIFS EDWARD W. BROOKE MASSACHUSETTS - Nnited States Senate WASHINGTON, D.C. 20515 June 5, 1972 COMMITTEES: APPROPRIATIONS BANKING, HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS OFFICES IN THE COMMONWEALTH: 2003-H KENNEDY FEDERAL BLDG. BOsToN 02203 1883 MAIN STREET SPRINGFIELD 01103 Action oFp1.e 7Nl fughes, m 7353 7W The Honorable Rogers C. B. Morton Secretary Department of the Interior Interior Building Washington, D. C. 20240 Dear Rog: It has been brought to my attention, application has been filed with the National Register of Historic Places for the City Hall of Peabody, Massachusetts to be designated a National Historical Landmark. The Peabody City Hall has already been designated a Historical Landmark by the Massachusetts Historical Commission.

The case for adding the National designation is, I believe, persuasive. I hope that it will be possible for you to review the application, and to direct the Peabody City Hall to be designated a National Historical Landmark. O DEPT.OF INTE warmest personal regards. JUN 6 FF.OF THE Sincerely, Edward W. Brooke EWB:hnk CL.0050 JOHN A. WELLS CHAIRMAN THOMAS HAYES RUTH HILL ALBERT GOODHUE AUGUSTINE CHENERY FRANCES RIGOL NEIL CORNING H34 PHR Peabody Historical Commission CITY CLERK'S OFFICE, CITY HALL PEABODY, MASS. 01960 PEABODY THE LEATHER CITY GEORGE PEABODY June 12,1972 The Honorable Rogers C.B.Morton Secretary Department of the Interior Interior Building Washington, D.C. 20240 Dear Sir: To correct a misunderstanding, I noticed in a copy of the letter sent to you by Senator Edward W. Brooke of Massachusetts that the Peabody City Hall was proposed as a National Historical Landmark.

What it should of stated was that the City Hall was approved by the Massachusetts Historical Commission for the National Register of Historical Places. The application is for it to be considerd for the National Register, and not as a National Historical Landmark. Sincerely yours, HrlnA.welt John A. Wells Chairman lel CL-005 Cnee nr o JOSEPH BOYCE,FIRST TANNER 1642 22.06. GST 26Ua GOLLGG TCGU TUOTTOL JUN I4 10 06 AM'72. OFF. OF THE SECRETARY DEPT.OF INTERIOR 003752 CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MICHAEL J. HARRINGTON ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE Action OFF1eo INP. For info only June 15, 1972 The Honorable Rogers B. Morton Secretary Interior Department Washington, D.C. 20240 Dear Mr. Secretary: I am writing to urge you to place the Peabody City Hall on the register of National Historic Landmarks.

It is my understanding that the Massachusetts Historical Commission has approved the City Hall as a Historical Landmark and that they have recently made application to the National Register. This building would be an excellent addition to the Register. I support this application and hope you will act expe- ditiously to assure that the City Hall is placed on the National Register. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future. Vihfach Mti chaeli J. Harrington MJH: jcs JUN C1-0191 - CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MICHAEL J. HARRINGTON ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE June 15, 1972 Mr. George B. Hartzog, Jr. Director National Park Service Department of Interior Washington, D.C. 20240 Dear Mr. Hartzog: I am writing to urge you to place the Peabody City Hall on the register of National Historic Landmarks.

It is my understanding that the Massachusetts Historical Commission has approved the City Hall as a Historical Landmark and that they have recently made application to the National Register. This building would be an excellent addition to the Register. I support this application and hope you will act expe- ditiously to that the City Hall is placed on the National Register. Unbul angta Michael J. Harringto MJH: jcs .<RISON-A. WILLIAMS, JR., N.J., CHAIRMAN JENN...G RANDOLPH, W.VA. JACOB K. JAVITS, N.Y. CLAIBORNE PELL, R.l. PETER H. DOMINICK, COLO. EDWARD M. KENNEDY, MASS. RICHARDS.SCHWEIKER,PA. GAYLORD NELSON, WIS. BOB PACKWOOD, OREG. WALTER F. MONDALE, MINN. ROBERT TAFT, JR., OHIO THOMAS F. EAGLETON, MO. J. GLENN BEALL, JR., MD. ALAN CRANSTON, CALIF. ROBERT T. STAFFORD, VT. HAROLD E. HUGHES, IOWA ADLAI E. STEVENSON III, ILL. STEWART E. MCCLURE, STAFF DIRECTOR ROBERT E.

NAGLE, GENERAL COUNSEL Anited States Senate COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND PUBLIC WELFARE WASHINGTON, D.C. 20510 June 16, 1972 Dr. William Murtagh Keeper of the National Register 1100 L St. NW Washington, D.C. Dear Dr. Murtagh: I am writing in reference to an application by the Peabody Historical Commission to have the City Hall included ón the National Register of Historic Places. The Massachusetts Historical Commission and the Massachusetts Revolutionary War Bi-Centennial Commission have approved the designation of this historic building. I believe it meets the criteria set up by the National Register as a tangible reminder of the history of the United States and a "cultural property that is worth saving". Therefore I join with the Peabody Historical Commission in urging prompt consideration of this application and I look forward to hearing of a favorable decision in the near future.

With best wishes, Sincergly, Edward M. Kennedy slwad temady 1/23 DRAFT FNP:FBSarles:rls June 23, 1972 PH34-HR Honorable Edward V. Brooke United States Senate Washington, D. C. Dear Senator Brooke: Thank you for your recent letter concerning the nomination of the Peabody City Hall in Peabody, Massachusetts, to the National Register of Historic Places. We are pleased to have your views on this matter. The nomination for this property is presently undergoing professional review by the Natonal Park Service. We will expedite this review and will notify you as soon as a final decision has been reached. We appreciate your interest in the programs of the National Park Service. Sincerely yours, Secretary of the Interior cc: Honorable John F. X.

Davoren, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Cahirman Massachusettspjistorical Commission, Office of the Secretary, State House, Boston, Massachusetts 02133 w/cy inc Director, Northeast Region w/cy inc I5 = w/cy I - Mr. Winge PHR - w/cy inc FNP:FBSarles:rls 6/23/72 BASIC FILES RETAINED IN PHR JUN 2 0 1972 Hon. Edward Brooke United States Senate Washington, D.C. Deaz Senator Brooke: Secretazy of the Interior Morton has saked us to aeknovledge your inguiry concerning designation of City Hall of Peabody, Massachusetta, as a national historle landnark. ne Secrebary appreciates your anterest sa enis natter and ea ssistant Seeretarywill provide you a reply st his earliest opportunity Sincerely yours, George B. Hartzog, Jr. Director FNP:CRBraxton:b1j:6-19-72 Hon. Michael J. Harrington House of Representatives Washington, D.C. Dear Mr.

Harrington: Secretary of the Interior Morton has asked us to acknowledge your inguiry cencerning the nomination of the Peabody City Hall in Massachusetts to the National Register of Historie Places. This w1l1 also acknowledge your letter to me. We appreciate your interest in this matter and will provide you a reply at our earliest opportunity. Sincerely yours, Director cc: (IOS) FNP:CRBraxton:dvt:6-22-72 (CL-0191) ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE MASSACHUSETTS Date Entered JUN 2 7 1972 Name Location Peabody City Hall Peabody Essex County Also Notified Hon. Edward M. Kennedy Hon. Edward w. Brooke Hon. Michael J. Hasrington Director, Northeast Region HR NRowland:mm 6/26/72 State Idaison Officer Eon, John P. X.

Davoren Becretary of the Conmonrealth Chaizman, Massachusetts Historical Commission Office of the Secretary State House Boston, Massachusetts 02133 s-a 4r H34-PHR JUN 2 8 1972 Mr. John A. Wella Chaizman Peabody Historieal Conntasion City Clerk's Office City Hall Peabody, Massachusetts 01960 Dear Mr. Velle: Thank you for your letter of June 12 concerning the nomination of the Peabody City Hall to the National Regieter of Ilistorte Places, We have replied to Senator Brooke concerning this natter, noti- tying him that the nondnation is presently undergoing professional zeview by the National Park Serviee and that he will be notifled as soon as a declaion has been reached. Ne appreciate your calling this matter to our attention. Sincerely yours, William J. Murtagh (Sgd.) Wil1ian J. Murtagh Keeper of the National Register ce: Honorable John Y. X.

Davoren, Secretary of the Conmonwealth, Chairman, Massachusetts Historical Comnission, Office of the Secretary, State House, Boston, Massachusetts 02133 w/cy inc Director, Northeast REgion w/cy inc I - Mr. Winge PHR - w/cy inc FNP:FBSarles:rls 6/27/72 BASID FILES RETAINED IN PHR FNP:FBSarles:1bb:6-28-72 CC : Director-NERegion) w/c of inc. - Mr. Winge PHR JUN 29 1972 134-7R CBRAXtON PRSARes BRndloed MuRrAgh uithey 7 Wood 678 (vlutrei étp Essexo maso Bon, Itlcheel J. Iameington House of Bepresentatives Mashington, DeC. Dear Ite, Isaringtons Secretary of the Interior Horton hasauloed us to thank you for your letter concoring the noednation of theCoabody City HALl In Pesbody, Mansschusette, to the liattonal Jeglater of itutorte 2laces. Thio will also aelmonledge you letter to Dizector Burtzos. Ie are plessed to have your vieus on this matter.

The nonination for this property is presently undergoing protessional zeview by the Ilatlonal Purlc Service. We will expedite this revier and viil notity you as sooa asa tinal dectaion has been zesched. Ve apprecsate your interest in the progroms of the letlonal Pual: Serice. A sintide reply de being nude to the lonorable idumad W. Trooke, unzted scatee Benate, who aiso ingudred regarding the Peabody City 1882.3, Bincerely yours, Robert M. Utley Director orrice of Archeology cc: llon. John I. X. Davoren and Historic Preservation Secretary of the Conmomrealth Chairman, Massachusetts Ilistorie Commission Office of the Secretary, Stabe House Boston, Massachusetts 02133) w/e of inc. CL SIMITAR REPLX SENI T0: Hon, Edward W. Brooke United States Senate washingcon, D.C. (Senator Brooke) (CI-0050) (Cong.

Harrington) (CI-0191) (ban File ntaind in PHR) CbRAxtoN FBSARLES Murtngh Rultley 1Wool 1/1 Whut 717 #34-PHR JUL 10 1972 ton. Bavad N. Kenned Inited States Senst Vashington, D.C. Dear Senator Kennedy: ey ta in proas do erp eadaredog, to a hetloma necdrter od Hlstorie Places. We are pleased to have your vieus ou this mattes. The nonination is nov undergoing professtonal reviev by the llational Park Service. Ve vlll expedste this rerier and will notify you promptiy as soon as a deciaion has been reached. Ne apprecsete your interest sa the llatlonel Register progrem. Sincerely yours, Robert M. Utley Director Office of Archeology cc: Honoreble John I. X. Davoren and Historic Preservation Secretary of the Commonvealth Cheiznen, Hassachusetts Iistorical Commission Office of the Secretary State House Boston, Hassachusetta) 02233 w/cy inc. Director, Iortheast Region) w/cy inc. I-Mr.

Winge PHR) IOS) FNP:FBSarles:dvt:7-5-72 (BASIC FIIES RETAINED IN PHR) lbf NOTIFICATION OF GRANT-IN-AID ACTION 1. STATE APPLICATION IDENTIFIER 73070340 2. (Reserved for use by State central information reception agency) 3. GRANTOR: a. Federal agency Department of the Interior b. Organizational unit National Park Service c. Administering office - (1) Name Division of Grants (2) Address - Street or P.O. Box 18th and C Streets, N. W. 4. FEDERAL AGENCY GRANT IDENTIFIER: a. Code b. Title 25-74-00096-00 City State Washington D. C. Zip Code 20240 Peabody City Hall Development, Phase I c. Purpose This 1883 municipal building with a French Second Empire style of construction contains an auditorium which originally seated 1500 people. A preser- vation planning study will be prepared. 5. GRANTEE: a. Name Massachusetts Mrs. Elizabeth R. Amadon, Exec. Dir.,. Mass. Historical Commission b.

Address -Street or P.O. Box 40 Beacon Street Boston Massachusetts 02108 6. GRANTEE TYPE (Check only the single most applicable box) a. State- b. Inter- state c. County d. City e. School district f. Special unit g. Community action h. Sponsored organization i. Other L 7. APPLICATION RECEIPT DATE 8. ACTION DATE Year Month Day Year Month 75 05 05 75 05 Day 15 11. TYPE OF ACTION (Check as many boxes as apply to this action) a. New b. Continuation c. Supplemental grant grant grant (identify agency in item 16) xX 12. AMOUNT OF CONTRIBUTION a. Federal - (1) basic (2) Supplemental $ 2,000 $ 13. CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (if none, clarify in item 16) 9. EFFECTIVE STARTING DATE Year Month Day 75 05 15 10. ENDING DATE Year Month 78 05 Day 14 d. Change in existing grant (1) Increase in duration (2) Decrease in duration (3) Cancellation (4) Increase($) (5) Decrease($) b.

State $2,000* a. Program Number 15.904 c. Local d. Other b. Supplemental Program Number 14. AUTHORIZATION a. Federal Budget Accounts b. Public Laws 10-58-1040-0-1-405 PL Title Sec. 89 665 C. U.S. Code 16 U.S.C. 470 15. FACILITY LOCATION: (For facility grant actions only) a. City 24 Lowell Street, Peabody PL Title Sec. PL Title Sec. b. County Essex 16. REMARKS *City of Peabody Do Not Use This Space Prepared by Ralph E. Thomas 523(139)-5054 STANDARD FORM 240 June 1970 Bureau of the Budget Circular A-98 240-101