Nomination for Methuen Memorial Music Hall

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form No. 10-300 (Rev.

10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OFTHE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PH0686000 FOR NPS USE ONLY NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM RECEIVED OCT 121978 DATE ENTERED 1 NAME HISTORIC SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS Methuen Memarial Musie Nall Serlo Organ Hall AND/OR COMMON Methuen Memorial Music Hall (prefered) 2 LOCATION STREET & NUMBER 192 Broadway CITY, TOWN Methuen _NOT FOR PUBLICATION CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 5th STATE Massachusetts -VICINITY OF CODE 025 COUNTY CODE Essex 009 3 CLASSIFICATION CATEGORY DISTRICT XBUILDING(S) STRUCTURE SITE _OBJECT OWNERSHIP PUBLIC X PRIVATE -BOTH PUBLIC ACQUISITION -IN PROCESS -BEING CONSIDERED STATUS XOCCUPIED _UNOCCUPIED - WORK IN PROGRESS ACCESSIBLE XYES: RESTRICTED - YES: UNRESTRICTED -NO PRESENT USE AGRICULTURE -MUSEUM _COMMERCIAL _PARK _EDUCATIONAL PRIVATE RESIDENCE X ENTERTAINMENT _RELIGIOUS -GOVERNMENT -SCIENTIFIC _INDUSTRIAL _TRANSPORTATION MILITARY _OTHER: OWNER OF PROPERTY NAME Methuen Memorial Music Hall, Incorporated STREET & NUMBER P.O.

Box 463.- CITY, TOWN Methuen - VICINITY OF LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION STATE Massachusetts 01844 COURTHOUSE. REGISTRY OF DEEDS,ETC. Essex County Registry of Deeds STREET & NUMBER 381 Common Street CITY, TOWN STATE Lawrence Massachusetts REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE Inventory of Historic Assets of the Commonwealth DATE 1973 DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS FEDERAL STATECOUNTYLOCAL Massachusetts Historical Commission CITY, TOWN Boston STATE Massachusetts 7-DESCRIPTION CONDITION EXCELLENT X GOOD -FAIR DETERIORATED -RUINS CHECK ONE -UNALTERED LALTERED CHECK ONE XORIGINAL SITE _MOVED DATE. _UNEXPOSED DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

Methuen Memorial Music Hall is located on Broadway (Mass. Route 28) on the north bank of the Spicket River, just south of the town center. The nominated property is approximately 7/8 of acre and informally landscaped. Ihe monumentally scaled, Renalssance Revival structure has a Latin cross plan and 1s bullt of brick on a granite foundation. Ihe slate ridge roof has gently flared leaves and a modillioned cornice. Projecting pavilions with cross gable roofs act as the arms of the cross. A continuous sandstone stringcourse encircles the structure dividing the grand scaled hall from a second floor. The facade faces east towards Broadway and is dominated by the balancing elements of the attached tower and projecting pavilion. The tower is built in 3 stages. The first, stage includes the principal entrance.

This entrance is round arched and framed by a pedimented sandstone frontispiece set within a tall round arched recession. Above the entrance are long, paired round arched windows and single round arched windows on the side elevations. The second stage begins above the encircling belt. It is 3 levels high with 3 round arched brick panels. There is a single round arched window set with the center panel, on the third level of the tower facade. The side elevations have 3 similar windows on the first level and single windows on the second and third levels. A projecting sandstone cornice divides the second and third stages. The third stage has a columed arcade on all four elevations. Above this is a corbelled table and hip roof. The principal element of the projecting pavilion is a large scale round arched window.

Above the encircling cornice/stringcourse are paired narrow round arched windows capped by a blind receiving arch. The pavilion gable is stepped in four stages with sandstone finials and baroque scrolls and pinacles on each step. The middle step has tripled narrow round arched windows. The crowning step has a triangular sandstone pediment. The portion of the facade between the tower and pavilion has a round arched window. To the other side of the pavilion is a narrow round arched window. The north elevation is plain and relieved only by the stringcourse. In the gable pediment is a two level pilastered feature, topped by a scroll relief. In the first level is a sandstone plaque, reading in raised lettering "Serlo Organ Hall." In the second level are paired 6/6 windows. The south elevation is also plain with an open arched two story ell which formerly led to a now demolished organ factory.

The rear elevation, with the exception of the tower,is similar to the facade. On the northern end is a shed roofed basement entrance with glass block fenestration. The Corinthian order interior has ornate panneling, and gilded coffered vaulted ceilings with lavish plaster relief ornament. Busts of great composers set in cartouche line the walls. The Boston Music Hall Organ dominates the interior. The organ case is the principal fixture. This baroque case features pipes supported by carved heroic figures. The tallest pipes are capped by wooden domes and surmounted by standing and kneeling musical putti. Pilasters, friezes and panels of the case are lavishly decorated with figures, faces, brackets and other ornamental features. The Methuen Organ Factory once stood to the west and was connected by the archway. This structure burned in 1943.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD PREHISTORIC _1400-1499 -1500-1599 -1600-1699 _1700-1799 X 1800-1899 X1900- AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE -- CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW ARCHEOLOGY-PREHISTORIC _COMMUNITY PLANNING _LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC -CONSERVATION -LAW AGRICULTURE _ECONOMICS -LITERATURE XARCHITECTURE -EDUCATION -MILITARY -ART ENGINEERING *MUSIC _COMMERCE -EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT _PHILOSOPHY _COMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY _POLITICS/GOVERNMENT -INVENTION -RELIGION SCIENCE -SCULPTURE *SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN _THEATER -TRANSPORTATION -OTHER (SPECIFY) SPECIFIC DATES 1907 BUILDER

Statement of significance

/ARCHITECT Henry Vaughan STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Methuen Memorial Music Hall is significant for its architecture, as the final location of the famous Boston Musie Hall Organ, and as an example of the eccentricity and philanthropy of Edward F. Searles. The Music Hall was designed by the English architect, Henry Vaughan. Vaughan also designed the National Cathedral and the Groton School Chapel. Searles built this hall to house the famous Boston Music Hall Organ which had been built in 1863 by Walcker of Germany. The organ had been in storage for many years after having been removed from the stage of the Music Hall to make room for the newly organized Boston Symphony Orchestra. Edward F. Searles was a Methuen native born to poor farmers. After working in many jobs from an early age, he made a small fortune and established a professional reputation as an interior decorator.

After touring Europe to add to his art collection, he retumed to America and became associated with the firm of Mckim Mead and White. Searles met the widow of Mark Hopkins in San Francisco, in 1881 and quickly became her financial advisor as well as decorator. In 1887 they were married which caused a sensation since Mary Hopkins was so many years Searles' senior. They returned east and Searles immediately began constructing identical castles in Great Barrington on Mary's maiden aunt's land, and in Methuen on the site of his family's farm. The Music Hall was originally known as the Serlo Organ Hall; the Anglophile Searles believed that Serlo was the old English derivation of his family name. In addition to the Music Hall Searles also gave his home town two schools, three churches, a reproduction English tavern, and paid off the town debt.

He also built two castles in nearby Windham New Hampshire as well as Block Island, Rhode Island. Searles gave $1.5m to the University of Cali fornia at Berkley, calling it a "mere trifle," and the Searles Scientific Building to Bowdoin College. He donated the Nob Hill Mansion to San Francisco as an art museum.

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES The Great Organ-Serlo Organ Hall, Methuen: Methuen Organ Co., 1909. The Great Organ, Methuen: Methuen Memorial Music Hall, Inc., 1954. 10 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY 7/8 acre UTM REFERENCES A|1,91 3/2,110,6,0 14,7/3.2/3,8,01 EASTING NORTHING ZONE EASTING NORTHINC LILLLiLu VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION Please refer to the attached plat map on which the boundaries are deliniated in red. The nominated property includes only the Organ Hal1. LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES STATE CODE COUNTY CODE STATE CODE COUNTY CODE FORM PREPARED BY NAME/ TITLE Candace Jeakins ORGANIZATION Nationa1 Register Editor & Joseph G.

Bella, Methuen Historical Comn Massachusetts Historical Conmission STREET & NUMBER 294 Washington Street CITY OR TOWN Boston 24 February 1978 TELEPHONE 617-727-8470 STATE Massachusetts 12 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE IS STATE _ LOCAL NATIONAL - 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 proceduresset forth by the National Park Service.

STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER SIGNATURE Pallune hWeslousk: TITLE Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical CommissionDATE 9/28/78 FOR NPS USE ONLY I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PRO PERTY IS INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER Daical bar duoturan FAVATIO ATTEST- 1W KEEPER OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER 12.1417Y TIUPER OU THE JATTO 14131 GPO 892-453 MEMORIAL MUSIC HALL NORTH RIVER DAM A3DIS RTE.28 BROADWAY SCALE 1"=100 METHUEN, MASSACHUSETTS GLEASON ST. PARK ST. MORRISON RECEIVED OCT 1 2 1978 NATIONAL REGISTER -8 DEC 1 4 1978 properey Methuen Memorial Musi Hall State Mass. Working Number(0. /2. 78.42 52 TECHNICAL Photos Maps Weak on philanthiopy + music, but will defer to architertral histsrian. CONTROL OK 10.

12.28 HISTORIAN toe town 12-05-78 ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN ARCHEOLOGIST OTHER HAER Inventory - Review Iltk MUSIC HAL IS SIGNIECANT SE A LARGTE SUALE, ERABORATE EXAMRLE OF RENAISSANCE REVIEW UNIT CHIEF REUIVA ARCLHTELTURE ANND AAN ELAMPUE OF THE WORK OF NOTED ADCUHTBER HENRY VAWGHAN. ACCEPT IT WAL BULLT TOHOLSK THE 1863 BOSTOW MUSK HAGL ORLAN WULHLH IS SIGNIFKANT IN ITS oun use daute RIGHT AS A MUSKAL (NSTRUMENT. NE HALL IS KEARETENSYERR OF THE UNSTERESTS, TASTES. 1/12/18 AND VALUES OF A TURN OF THE CENTUN PHLLNTHRAPISE WHO WASA MATTUE OF METHEJQN. BRANCH CHIEF ENLIARD F. SEARLES. KEEPER National Register Write-up Federal Register Entry 2-6-19 Send-back Re-submit Entered United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WASO No.

7 DEC 1 4 1978 INT:2106-74 Serlo Organ Hal1 Methuen, MA Joseph Bella 1975 299 Broadway, Methuen #1 OCT 12 1978 DEC 1 4 1978 Corner, North and East elevations Serlo Organ Hall Methuen, MA Joseph Bella 1975 299 Broadway, Methuen #2 Corner, South and East elevations OCT 12 1978 DEC 1 4 1978 Serlo Organ Hall Methuen, MA Joseph Bella 1975 299 Broadway, Methuen #3 DEC 1 4 1978 Interior, Organ Console OCT 1 2 1978 Methuem Meuoiial Music Hall 10-24-78 Methuen d sic Hall, Unc. 17 November 1978 Dr. William J. Murtagh, Keeper of the National Register Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service Department of the Interior Washington, D. C. 20240 Dear Dr. Murtagh: Thank you for your letter (H32-NR) of 17 October 1978 confirming that the Methuen Memorial Music Hall has been nominated by the Massachusetts Historical Commission for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

The historical significance of this property lies in the fact that the Methuen Memorial Music Hall houses the first concert organ in the United States (originally built for the Boston Music Hall in 1863) and is probably the only instance in history in which a hall of such pro- portions and such magnificence has been built for the sole purpose of housing an organ. Memorial Music Hall, Inc. is responsible for the preservation of the 18 respons101e organ and hall. The present corporation Board of Trustees sponsors a summer series of weekly organ recitals and a fall series of weekly varied musical programs. I respectfully encourage you to act favorably on this nomination. Thank you for your consideration in this matter and if there is any additional information I may provide, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, METHUEN MEMORIAL MUSIC HALL, INC. dwardsampsm h Edward J.

Sampson Jr., President 38 Chestnut Court North Andover, Massachusetts 01845 Property Address: Post Office Box 463 Methuen, Massachusetts 01844 EJS,Jr/dml cc. Ms. Candace Jenkins, National Register Coordinator Massachusetts Historical Commission Mr. Ernest G. Mack, Chairman Methuen Historical Commission Founded in 1946 to preserve the famous Boston Music Hall Organ and the Hall THE IAF J 2.ILGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES NOV 2 2 1978 DATE T: D i. DU'L RESPONSE (ATTACHED) DTNEAENTERIAL SENT LLLTMONE CALL (ATTACHED) DAT: 3.N TANEN 12/4/78 INITI 8T YP ENERIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE MASSACHUSETTS Date Entered DEC.14 1978 Name Martha's Vineyard Carpground Methuen Memorial Music Hal1 Alden, John, House Iocation Oak Bluffs Dukes County Methuen Essex County Duxbury Plymouth County Also Notified Honorable Edward M. Kennedy Honcrable Paul G. Isongas Honorable Gerry E. Studds Honorable James M.

Shannon State Hiistoric Preservacion Officer Irs. Patricia L. Weslowski Executive Director Massachusetts Historical Cormission 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 NR Byers/es 1/11/79 PROBLEMS: 2. 3. 6. 8. 9. 12. 13. 14.

Nane of Property: Owner: Definttiom of Resource: Integrity (alterations): Boundary Justification: Explíci: Statenent of Significance: Assessment of Significance: Context: UTM: Verbal Roundary Description: Signature Block: Maps: Photographs: Nonination Does Not Define What is Deing Protected: TOTAL NUHBER - NATIONAL REGISTER DATA SHEET DNAME as it appears on federal register: ®OTHER NAMES: 3 date of entry: county code: Methuen Memorial Music Hall Serlo Organ Hall PEC 14 1978 009 3 LOCATION street & number city I town vicinity of state county 6NPS REGION: 192 Broadway Methuen MA Essex N Atlantic OWNER XPRIVATE OSTATE OMUNICIPAL COCOUNTY CMULTIPLE COFEDERAL (agency name) 8ADMINISTRATOR: EXISTING SURVEYS CHABS CHAER [NHL (10)FUNDED? OYES -NO 11)CONGRESS. DISTRICT 5 )SOURCE of NOMINATION -STATE -FEDERAL if state who prepared form?

TORIE BISTRIET 1 TIBNAL HISTORIC LANOMARK2 IGRE GE DLOCAL -PRIVATE ORGANIZATION IBCONDITION - deteriorated Oaltered Doriginal site 17)features: -OSUBSTANTIALLY INTACT-1 «OSUBSTANTIALLY INTACT -2 Dexcellent Oruins 2OSUBSTANTIALLY INTACT - 3 Dgood Ounaltered Omoved QONOT INTACT-O 90 NOT INTACT -O QONOT INTACT - O Ounexposed Oreconstructed Dfair Ounknown MOUNKNOWN-4 Ounexcavated -excavated SOUNKNOWN-6 20 NOT APPLICABLE -7 JO NOT APPLICABLE-8 ZONOT APPLICABLE - 9 BACCESS OYES-Restricted OYES -Unrestricted / - No Access - Unknown ADAPTIVE USE CYES OONO] SAVED? DYES IS PROPERTY A HISTORIC DISTRICT?

DyesOno AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE : CENGINEERING -11 - LANDSCAPE ARCH.- 15 - POLITICS / GOVT." 21] -RECREATION -28 2OCLAIMS: explain CARCHEOLOGY - prehistoric-2 -COMMERCE-6 -ENTERTAINMENT-26 - LAW - 16 'first' O C RELIGION-22 ©SETTLEMENT-29 - ARCHEOLOGY - historic-1 - COMMUNICATIONS-7 -EXPLORATION -12 - LITERATURE- 17 - SCIENCE - 23 -URBAN PLANNING-31 'oldest' O -AGRICULTURE-3 - CONSERVATION - 8 -HEALTH-27 - MILITARY - 18 - SOCIAL /HUMANITARIAN-24 DOTHER (SPECIFY) -ARCHITECTURE-4 - ECONOMICS- 9 - INDUSTRY - 13 - MUSIC - 19 - SOCIAL / CULTURAL - 30 -ART-5 - EDUCATION-10 'only' D - INVENTION -14 - PHILOSOPHY - 20 TRANSPORTATION-25 2) functions WHEN HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT: CURRENTLY: architectural style(s): dates of initial construction: major alterations : historic events: ETHNIC GROUP ASSOCIATION architect: master builder: engineer: landscape architect / garden designer: S) interior decorator: artist: artisan: abuilder /contractor: NAMES give role & date PERSONAL: EVENTS: INSTITUTIONAL: 3NATIONAL REGISTER WRITE-UP Sreviewers initials.

date IF ADDITIONAL SPACE NEEDED, NUMBER & PUT ON REVERSE