Memorial Hall

Memorial Hall is a smal1 commemorative building standing opposite the Town Common in Foxboro Center. Located at a busy downtown intersection, the flat half-acre lot also contains an early burial ground. A low granite curb encloses the property on three sides; large maple, chestnut, and linden trees also frame the building. Built in 1868, this High Victorian Gothic structure is one and one-half stories high, built of random coursed, granite rubble. Its octagonal plan is formed by a crucitorm core with a pyramidal roof and, at the interstices, four gabled wings. Articulating The complex too is atiored are cusigranitentres, cursned bypanlo and archat avpsda (kitco optagonal windows), on which stands a 10-foot wooden statue of a Union soldier.

A pair of stone buttresses defines each corner of the building. Each of the 8 sides of the building (excepting the southwest and southeast) contains a single equilateral arched window with a banded architrave and trefoil glazing. gable fields in the north and south wings each contain a small triangular window, while those in the east and west wings have a round window. Low, pitch roofed additions made c. 1875 filled in the southwest and southeast corners, repeating the materials and design of the original structure. The original windows on those walls were re-used one story above to create gabled dormers. The building is entered from its north side, where granite steps lead up to a shallow gabled frontpiece.

An equilateral arch opening with banded architrave frames double chestnut doors, all surmounted by an inset tablet commemorating the year of construction. Large stained glass windows, located on all eight sides of the structure, distinguish the interior of Memorial Hall. The most prominent of these is entitled "Liberty", placed on the southern elevation where it immediately confronts visitors.

(in one paragraph) Builder/Architect J. Stevens Memorlal Hall 15 signiticant as a civic tribute to the Civil War, for its functions as a library and museum, and as a distinctive example of High Victorian architecture in Foxboro. The property meets Criteria A and C of the National Register of Historic Places, retaining integrity of design, materials, workmanship, location and setting. Memorial Hall was erected in 1868 as a "suitable monument" to the Union soldiers who died in the Civil War, as well as to all citizens who had served and contributed in some way to the preservation of the Union. Nehemiah Carpenter donated to the town the land for the structure, and E.P Carpenter, owner of the prominent Union Straw Works, chaired the committee which oversaw construction.

This committee envisioned not only a marker but also a functional building. Thus while the hall originally In 1872, onethousand books were donated to the town and housed in Memorial Hall, which served in tact as the town library until 1968. Since then, the building has been operated by the Foxboro Historical Commission, reverting to its original use as the town museum. Memorial Hall was erected at the height of Foxboro's industrial prosperity in the late 19th century. Local wealth and pride are reflected in the, employment of re- gionally known talent in the design and execution of the building. The architect was J. Stevens, most likely John Stevens of Boston, who was a popular designer of civic structures in this period; the stone cutter was a Mr. A. K.

Lilley of Providence; the soldier was carved by L.F. Pratt; interior decoration was by a Mr. Brarier of Boston; and the carpentry was by Abner Fales of Foxboro. The central location of Memorial Hall emphasizes its exceptionally fine Gothic Revival design.