Town Hall Restoration Committee – November 08, 2011
Mission Statement
The mission of the Town Hall Restoration Committee is to restore the Town Hall to a functional building for municipal services and community use. The best investment for the town is to modernize the building to provide for the town’s present needs, as cost effectively as possible, so that it can continue to serve Bradford for many years to come, consistent with its historical character.
Background
The 1797 Town Hall is Bradford’s most valuable property asset. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. In 1863 the “meeting house” was moved from Center Bradford and reconstructed in its present location at 75 W. Main Street. The citizens then, as now, valued the Town Hall and its central role as an architecturally distinctive and functional community cornerstone.
The well-attended Bradford Town Forum held November 6, 2010, polled the citizens with voting results supporting Town Hall as a viable space for town functions. Although the building was not originally built for office space, that is what the town’s current and future needs are, and with a well-designed space, the Town Hall will be a functional and economic asset once again.
The Goals
Town Hall Restoration Committee welcomes the opportunity to review previous research, documents and studies to develop a plan for the restoration of the building. The Committee will reach out to others in the community and professionals for advice. The Committee will research grants that might offset the cost to the town of items such as universal barrier-free access, fire extinguishing systems, and energy efficiency. If the Committee decides it is appropriate, we will move forward with the preparation of a bond warrant article for town meeting. The Committee will report to the Selectmen on a regular basis.
Statement of Significance from the National Register of Historical Places Inventory Form – September, 1980
The Bradford Town Hall is an important element to town life. It has long been the focus of community and government activities, and continues as such in a time when many town halls in New Hampshire are passed over for active use. In Bradford the town hall still serves as a, meeting place for municipal and volunteer boards and organizations of all kinds.
The town hall is a focal visually as well. It is a substantial structure which fits nicely with the character of the town. The structure blends well with the materials, scale, and massing of the surrounding neighborhoods, with their predominantly frame buildings, in addition, it exemplifies vernacular public buildings in New Hampshire rural communities which combine institutional scale with domestic detail.
Respectfully submitted, Eileen Kelly
Committee Members
John Greenwood
Marcia Keller
Dick Keller
Eileen Kelly
Michele Halsted
Beth Rodd
Audrey V. Sylvester
Caryl Walker
Phyllis Wilcox
Sandra Wright