Nomination for Milford Town Hall

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form No. 10-300 (Rev. 10-74) PH0355259 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE DATA SHEET. FOR NPS USE ONLY NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM RECEIVED DATE ENTERED APR 12 1977 SEP 2 2 1977 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS 1 NAME HISTORIC ** Milford Town Hall AND/OR COMMON Same 2 LOCATION STREET & NUMBER 52 Main Street CITY.

TOWN Milford _NOT FOR PUBLICATION CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT STATE - VICINITY OF CODE Massachusetts 01757 COUNTY Worcester CODE 027 3 CLASSIFICATION CATEGORY _DISTRICT XBUILDING(S) _STRUCTURE _SITE _OBJECT OWNERSHIP XPUBLIC _PRIVATE _BOTH PUBLIC ACQUISITION -IN PROCESS BEING CONSIDERED STATUS *OCCUPIED -UNOCCUPIED _WORK IN PROGRESS ACCESSIBLE *YES: RESTRICTED - YES: UNRESTRICTED _NO PRESENT USE AGRICULTURE -_MUSEUM _COMMERCIAL -PARK EDUCATIONAL -PRIVATE RESIDENCE *ENTERTAINMENT -RELIGIOUS GOVERNMENT _SCIENTIFIC *ZINDUSTRIAL " * -TRANSPORTATION _MILITARY _OTHER: 4 OWNER OF PROPERTY NAME Town of Milford STREET & NUMBER 52 Main Street CITY, TOWN STATE Massachusetts 01757 Milford _ VICINITY OF 5 LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE.

REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC Wordester County Registry of Deeds STREET & NUMBER 2 Main Street CITY, TOWN STATE Massachusetts 01608 Worcester 6 REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE Inventory of the Historic Assets of the Commonwealth DATE 1976 _FEDERAL *STATE COUNTY _LOCAL DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS CITY. TOWN Massachusetts Historical Commission Boston STATE Massachusetts 02108 7-DESCRIPTION CONDITION _EXCELLENT _GOOD XFAIR -DETERIORATED _RUINS _UNEXPOSED CHECK ONE _UNALTERED X ALTERED CHECK ONE X ORIGINAL SITE MOVED DATE. DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

The Milford Town Hall is located in the center of the business district on Main Street in downtown Milford. The building is situated on a small plot of land (7/8 of an acre) and is bounded by the sidewalk area in front, and parking lot areas on the side and rear. The landscaping within these borders is grass and shrubbery- The Renaissance Revival Town Hall was designed by Thomas W. Silloway, and was built between 1853 and 1858. It is a two story structure which sits on a brick foundation. The walls are sheathed with clapboards, now painted white. A wide molded water tajle defines the ground and main floors, and acts as a continuous link at the heads of the ground floor windows. The building'ss wide entablature is ornamented at the frieze by alternating triglyphs and patera motifs, and by a modillioned cornice an the over- hanging eaves.

Throughout the building, each bay is separated by a pilaster. These pilasters are doubled around each corner of the structure. The pilasters on the ground floor are rusticated horizontal blocks. On the main floor the pilasters are decorated by molded bases, fluting, and ornamented capitals supporting the building's flat architrave. The three bay facade faces northwest toward Main Street. In the center of the facade is the recessed entrance to the ground floor, which is flanked by two wide segmental arched bays. Directly above the entryway, on the main floor is a round topped window with a twisted balustrade beneath, and a molded arched panel above. To either side of the central window are identical 15/15 windows framed by molded architraves, headed by a full entablature with a keystone, and crowned by a projecting triangular pediment.

The gable pediment is distinguished by Palladian window with Baroque detail. Both of the side elevations are identical. They are ten bays deep, including the fire bay projecting section of the cross axis. This 1900 rear section contains a recessed entrance, and a round window in the gable pediment on both elevations. Fenestration is 10/10 on the ground floor, 15/15 on the main. The ground floor windows are headed by a semi elliptical entablature with a large keystone. The elaborate main floor windows are headed by a complete entablature with keystone, and by alternating triangular and arched projecting pediments. The treatment of the elevations is continued on The elaborately ornamented cupola which surmounts the building isnearly 50 feet in height. There is a round clock with Baroque scroll trim on each of the four sides of the base whose corners are quoined.

The overhanging cornice is dentiled and grace- fully molded. The taller, narrower bell housing has four arched openings, each with a delicate balustrade. Each arch is flanked by a composite pilaster, and is headed by a molded architrave, dentiled cornice, and broken scroll pediment. The third and final stage of the cupola is a hexagonal gold dome with a metal replica of the original handcarved eagle standing on top. The basement of the Town Hall houses the local jail cells. Town offices are located on the ground floor, and there is a large meeting room with a stage and balconies on the main floor. The cross axial rear section of the building was added in 1900 to meet the needs of the growing town. The building was originally painted yellow and sanded to imitate stone.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD _PREHISTORIC -1400-1499 -1500-1599 .1600-1699 -1700-1799 X1800-1899 -1900- ARCHEOLOGY-PREHISTORIC ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC AGRICULTURE XARCHITECTURE ART -COMMERCE _COMMUNICATIONS AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE -- CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW _COMMUNITY PLANNING -LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE _CONSERVATION -LAW _ECONOMICS -LITERATURE EDUCATION _MILITARY LENGINEERING _MUSIC _EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT _PHILOSOPHY _INDUSTRY * POLITICS/GOVERNMENT LINVENTION _RELIGION _SCIENCE _SCULPTURE _SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN -THEATER _TRANSPORTATION _OTHER (SPECIFY) SPECIFIC DATES 1853 BUILDER

Statement of significance

/ARCHITECT Thomas W. Silloway STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The Milford Town Hall is significant as one of the most outstanding landmarks in town not only for its rich architectural style, but also as a building which has played an integral part in the history of Milford's government. The Town Hall has served as a meeting place for all branches of local government for approximately 125 years. The Town Hall is the most prominent building in the Main Street area. Construction began in 1853, and was completed in 1858. The building replaced the old Town House formerly located at the rear of the present structure, which for eight years had been the public meeting house. The basement of the Town Hall originally housed a market. The use of wood rather than granite makes the Town Hall's construction unique to the other town buildings.

Milford's pink granite has played an important role nationally as a source of beautiful yet durable building material. All of the other main public buildings are constructed out of this granite. The exception of the Town Hall is important, as the building is a fine example of a woden Renaissance Revival style.

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Ballou, Adin, History of Milford, Franklin Press, Boston, 1882. Mr. Anthony Deluca, Milford Building Commissioner, interview. 10 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY less than one acre UTM REFERENCES AL1,91 12/9,119,9,9 ZONE EASTING CULLILLL VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION 14,616,814,40 NORTHING BLULL EASTING LuLililu NORTHING =5831 1COB PTC LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES STATE CODE COUNTY CODE STATE CODE COUNTY CODE 11FORM PREPARED BY NAME / TITLE Blaine Mallory and Joseph Orfant, National Register Editor (Robert A.

Samiago, Milford Historical Commission) ORGANIZATION DATE Massachusetts Historical Commission January 11, 1977 STREET & NUMBER TELEPHONE 294 Washington Street ...727-8470 CITY OR TOWN STATE Boston Massachusetts, 02108 12 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE IS: NATIONAL - STATE_ LOCAL As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National 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. STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER SIGNATURE li bieh Rud Amadon TITLE Executive Director, Mass. Historical Comm.

DATE 3/16/77 FOR NPS USE ONLY I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY IS INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER CharhAdunmg DATE ATTEST: 1701 Io. Colt OE DATE 9.22.72 VESULONDD ROGTSIT 3-22-7 KELTE GPO 892-453 Property Milford Town Hall Worcester State Massachusetts Working Number 4.12.77.581 TECHNICAL Photos _ 3 Maps mininainf to tuppot politica goveum CONTROL OK 4.18.27 HISTORIAN ac cep Fra- nkln 7.7.77 ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN accept bborich 5.25.77 ARCHEOLOGIST OTHER HAER Inventory - Review - REVIEW UNIT CHIEF AccEpT Cole 9.20.77 BRANCH CHIEF National Register Write-up Federal Register Entry 11-1.22 Send-back Re-submit Entered United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WASO No.

7 KEEPER sturingta 9.22.77 _SEP 2 2 1977 INT:2106-74 Worcester County APR 1 2 1977 Milford Town Hall Milford, Massachusetts 1976 Morin's Studio SEP 2 2 1977 Milford Historical Commission M2 Gorat Strnt 01751 Photo #103 Looking east toward facade and southwest elevation. PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL RES Worcester County Milford Town Hall APR 1 2 1977 Milford, Massachusetts SEP 2 2 1977 Morin's Studio Milford Historical Commission 42 Court Street Milford, Mass., 01757 Photo #2 0g 4 Looking south toward facade andnortheast elevation. PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL RE Warcester County Milford Town Hall Milford, Massachusetts APR 1 2 1977 1976 Morin's Studio SEP 2 2 1977 Milford Historical Commission 42 Court Street Milford, Mass., 01757 Interior Photo # fiew of meeting room on main floor.

PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGE ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER MASSACHUSETIS STATE Date Entered SEP 2 2 1977 Name Barton, Clara, Homestead Milford Town Hall Gay Farm (Negua H111) Location North Oxford vicinity Worcester County Milford Worcester County Petersham vicinity Worcester County Also Notified Hon. Edward M. Kennedy State Histor1c Preservation Officer Hon. Edward W. Brooke Mre. E11zabeth R. Amadon Hon. Edward P. Boland Executive Director, Massachusetts Hon. Joseph D. Early Historical Conmission 294 Washington Street Reglona1 Director, North Atlant1c Region Boston, Massachusetta 02108 / 880 Mott 9/27/77 INT: 2950-75 NATONAL - REGISLER DATA SHGEL DNAME as it Mlltord Tovn laal register: BOTHER NAMES: 3 date of entry: 4 county code: SFP_2 2_1977 27 ©LOCATION street &, number city/ town vieinity of 52 Main St.

Milford state .MA GNPS REGION: NA 7OWNER DPRIVATE COSTATE 8MUNICIPAL CJCOUNTY COMULTIPLE COFEDERAL (agency name) 9 EXISTING SURVEYS CHABS CHAER CJNHL/10)FUNDED? CYES DNO 11)CONGRESS. DISTRICT _3rd 12 SOURCE of NOMINATION WTHDE MATICNAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT? WITHIN NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK? OOYES. MAME.

ECONDITION Dexcellent -deteriorated Daltered Doriginal site Oruins Cgood Ounexposed Dunaltered Omoved Oreconstructed Ounknown Wfair Dunexcavated Dexcavated SACCESS OYES-RestrictedOYES -Unrestricted - No Access AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE : C]ARCHEDLOGY-prehistoric-2 CCOMMERCE-6 CARCHEOLOGY-historic-1 D COMMUNICATIONS-7 -AGRICULTURE -3 C CONSERVATION - 8 O8 ARCHITECTURE-4 - ECONOMICS-9 CART-5 D EDUCATION-10 -ENGINEERING-11 DENTERTAINMENT-26 -EXPLORATION -12 CHEALTH-27 O INDUSTRY-13 - INVENTION -14 DUnknown DLANDSCAPE ARCH.- 15 - LAW-16 [O LITERATURE - 17 C MILITARY - 18 C MUSIC -19 - PHILOSOPKY - 20 county Worcester 8ADMINISTRATOR: ESTATE CFEDERAL if state who prepared form? O) ACREAGE DNO ./-.

DLOCAL -PRIVATE ORGANIZATION 1 features: aSUBSTANTIALLY INTACT-3 ESSUBSTANTIALLY INTACT-2 2 CSUBSTANTIALLY INTACT -3 ODNOT INTACT-O 9O NOT INTACT-O OONOT INTACT - O UNKHOWN-4 WOUNKNOWN-5 SOUNXHOHN-6 EDNOT APPLICABLE -7 WONOT APPLICABLE-8 ZO NOT APPLICABLE - 9 (L9 ADAPTIVE USE CYES CONO SAVED? DYES IS PROPERTY A HISTORIC DISTRICT?

Dyes Onc [ POLITICS/ GOVT.- 21 DRECREATION -28 ECLAIMS: explain *first'O CO RELIGION- 22 C SETTLEMENT-29 - SCIENCE- 23 -URBAN PLANNING-31 C SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN-24DJOTHER(SPECIFY) - SOCIAL / CULTURAL - 30 - TRANSPORTATION -25 'oldest'O 'only' D E functions WHEN HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT: CURRENTLY: S architectural style(s): Penaissance Revial @architect: Themas We f landscape architect / garden designer: 1 interior decorator: dates of initial construction: major alterations: 1853-8 historic events: 1200 reas addetion ®master builder: ETHNIC GROUP ASSOCIATION engineer: Silloury *artisan: @builder/contractor: 35 NAMES give role & date PERSONAL: EYENTS: INSTITUTIONAL: NATIONAL REGISTER WRITE-UP "'rateo, aeyrai, aa en eitle en s, cunadh, abe elurad ende, naeisdam bene comice.

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