Memorial Hall Restoration masters degree project Mindi Sahner May 1987!1
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- MEMORIAL HALL
A RESTORATION PROJECT
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A Degree Project
by
Mindi Sahner
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Submitted to the Graduate School of the
University of Massachusetts in Partial Fulfillment
LJ of the Requirements for the Degree of
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J MASTER OF SCIENCE in INTERIOR DESIGN
May, 1987
Department of Art
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Special thanks are due to Gene Bunnell, Director
of Planning and Community Development for the City
of Northampton, for his assistance in researching
and planning this project.
I would also like to thank the following people for
their assistance:
Elise Feeley, Reference Librarian, Forbes Library,
City of Northampton
Jack Fortier, Operations Analyst, City of Northampton
Dorothy Graves, Law Department, City of Northampton
Ray LaBarge, City Council President, City of Northampton
Cindy Langley, Director, Council on Aging, City of
Northampton
Bill Phillips, City Purchasing Agent, City of Northampton
Ruth Wilbur, Director, Northampton Historical Society
Jack Zalesky, Supervisor of Maintenance and Custodians,
City of Northampton
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STATE14ENT OF PURPOSE
Memorial Hall has, since the time of its construction
in 1372, been the center of controversy and debate.
Originally designed as the Northampton Public Library,
it was, through poor planning, put to that use for
only a short period of time. After nearly a century
of metamorphosis, the time has come for Memorial Hall
to receive the planning it was never given. The goal
of this restoration project is to restore Memorial
Hall to what it might have been, rather than what it
was; it is a restoration in sympathy with the style
of the nineteenth century when it was conceived, but
brought into the context of the twentieth century
where it must survive.
In his paper, 'The Paradise of America,' Frank Lee Shuford explores
the history of Northampton as reflected in its Main Street, an orienta-
tion particularly relevant here as Memorial Hall has occupied a prominent
place on Main Street since 1372.
Located within a farming community, Main Street, Northampton ini-
tially served as the marketplace for the surrounding area. By the mid
nineteenth century however, Northampton was transformed into an impor-
tant manufacturing center, specializing in silk, paper and cotton pro-
ducts, a change in keeping with national industrial growth, and due to
' the exchange of goods and labor made possible through the coming of the
railroad.2 In addition, the railroad brought wealthy New York and Bos
ton visitors to established mountain resorts surrounding Northampton,.
thereby establishing a healthy tourist trade. The resulting commercial,
administrative, and cultural changes culminated in the perception of
Main Street as the 'central business district' of Northampton and the
area, while the confines of small town culture maintained the highly in-
dividualistic, friendly and nostalgic atmosphere sought by tourists.3
rv~ In the 1930's however, depression and increased competition from
' southern mills threatened to reduce Northampton to a dying community.
j The depression resulted in 'downtown blight' in Northampton. "Its
booming early twentieth century tourist trade, like its industrial
sector, was never able to recover from the economic effects of the
1930's depression. ,4
By the mid twentieth century, the results of two decades of decline
were apparent. "Americans scorned their towns and cities as obsolete,
ugly, impractical, unfit and dangerous. The impact of the automobile,
1y
interstate travel, suburbia, shopping malls, and the changing demo-
5
graphics of America stunted the economic growth of Main Street."
I~} Wonderful old buildings were sheathed in aluminum siding and adorned
with flashing neon signs. The beautiful wide boulavard which once was
Main Street, was now plagued with problems concerning maintenance, off-
street parking, and pedestrian safety. In 1963, to alleviate these pro-
blems, the Northampton Planning Board had devised a Master Plan for
Downtown Northampton, a plan which included demolition of some areas.
"Noting that the Northampton Business Community was at a 'point of de-
cision,' the Master Planners realized that either the central area must
be drastically modernized or it would be outpaced by outside competition." 6
Luckily, a strong opposition developed, "fearful of the potential
massive destruction of century old buildings," and instead advocating.
"downtown cosmetology, or putting a new face on Main Street."7 In the
spring of 1965, the Chamber of Commerce sponsored 'Northampton on the Way'
(NOW) to organize efforts to plant trees, pick up trash, and refurbish
-7 Main Street shop fronts. However, a further setback occured when in
f~ 1968, two booming commercial strips opened outside Northampton. By 1973,
McCallums, the 102 year old store which had been a symbol of downtown
prosperity, announced it was closing its doors.
In 1974, the Northampton Historical Commission began to investigate
the possibility of having Main Street declared an historical district by
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the Massachusetts Historical Commission, the goal being to preserve
Main Street's historical character. The commission recommended that
Main Street merchants "be provided with incentives to renovate other
storefronts in late.19th century style."8 The battle of urban renewal
versus historical preservation continued.
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- Finally, in May of 1976, the Federal Government placed most of Main
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Street on the National Historic Register of Historic Places; this allowed
downtown property to receive matching grants to restore and preserve their
_ buildings and signalled the end of 'downtown blight,' and the death of
urban renewal.9 After being empty for three years, the former McCallums,
downtown's largest retail building, opened as 'Main Street Center" in 1977,
becoming Thornes Marketplace shortly thereafter in another exchange of
ownership.
In 1987, Thornes houses over 50 retail spaces, and its' growth has
been reflected in general in the downtown area. By 1984, Main Street's
retail and living spaces had reached full occupancy, even in the upper
stories. In that year, additional retail and condominium space was made
tJ available when the DA Sullivan School became Old School Commons.
.A direct outgrowth of the National Preservation Act of 1966, the
National Main Street Center, established in 1980, aimed at economic
development with historical presevation as one of its key components.10
Northampton was chosen as one of five cities in Massachusetts to partic-
ipate in the new program, and to implement guidelines set out by the
Center. "The Main Street Approach, economic development within the
l~ context of historical preservation, emphasizes the intent to foster
growth without sacrificing the qualities that make each town distinctive." 11
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It is with these goals in mind that I have approached the possibility
of restoring one of Northampton's valuable historic structures; Memorial
Hall.
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BUILDING
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NINETEENTH CENTURY MEMORIAL HALL
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On November 12, 1867, the present site of Memorial Hall was purchased
for a Northampton Public Library and Memorial Hall. The following statement
appeared in the Hampshire Gazette on that day:
Here in the center of town, is ample room for a
fine Library building capable of holding 100,000
volumes, with a memorial hall large enough for
scientific lectures, and pleasant parklike grounds
about the edifice; ...12
The ioiemorial hall was to be "In memory of those soldiers of Northampton
who died in the service of their country in the late war. 13
In 1869, John Clarke died leaving a sizable sum of money to the town
of Northampton "...for the benefit of the public library in said town, for
the erection of a suitable building, and the increase and maintenance of
such library, and for no other purpose. ,14 Unfortunately, since Mr. Clarke
did not mention a memorial hall or a museum in his will, a battle raged
for many years over whether these could be included in the building. How-
ever, the ultimate result can be seen when one reads the inscription under
the cornice of the building "Library a Memorial. =mall - Museum."
The Northampton Public Library was erected in 1871 by James McLaughlin,
a GinGinatti architect. The first floor housed the library, the ground floor
1
the reading room and gentlemen's and ladies' parlors, and the top floor was
r1 an! historical museum for Northampton. The entry level, or memorial hall,
-contained tablets dedicated to the soldiers of Northampton, while two sta-
tues, one of a civil war soldier, the other of a sailor stood guard at the
door.
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The building was plagued from its inception by a lack of funds for
its maintenance. Thus when in 1881 Mr. Forbes willed a very large sum
of money to the building of Forbes Library, the town was forced to accept
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r~ that offer in spite of the fact that the new library was being loca-
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ted at some distance from the Northampton Town Library. This was not
a popular decision, and public debate ensued for 13 years until Forbes
Library was dedicated in 1894. At that time, the P.ub1zo,:..Libr.aty ;be.came
known as Clarke Library to distinguish it from Forbes Library. It was
originally planned that the Clarke Library would house circulating books,
while Forbes would be used for purposes of research. However, in 1885
this prediction was made:
It might as well be recognized now as 15 or
20 or 25 years hence. 'If two seperate li-
braries are ever set up, they will certainly
at some time be brought togethgr, when the
expense comes to be footed up. 5
As predicted, in 1916 the decision to sonsolidate Forbes Library and
Clarke Library was made. At this point, yet another debate was begun over
the fate of Clarke Library, a debate which still survives 70 years later.
Over the years, suggestions for its use have included a teen center (re-
cently proposed for the second time), a high school, public offices, an
auditorium, and more.
During the First World War, the first floor was used as'a base for
the Hampshire County Chapter of the Red Cross; later for the Public
Health Nurses Association and the District Nurse Association; the read-
ing room became the base for the American Legion.
Most recently, the Council on Aging has occupied the ground floor,
along with the Veterans of Foreign Wars using the 'dugout' for meetings;
the Department of Social Services has used the first floor, and North-
ampton Historical Society was on the second floor.
In the next section, the current conditions of Memorial Hall will be
discussed.
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VIEW FROM MEMORIAL HALL
( Civil War Statue)
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THE PROBLal
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Second Empire/ '
Mansard
1860-1880
Details were picked out in dark greens, reds and browns. Earlier
houses continued to be painted in Italianate colors that resem-
bled stone. Trim was generally lighter, with doors and shutters in
subtle contrast to the trim.
Body
Trim
Door
Dark green
Beige
Natural
Dark red
Cream
Dark brown
Brown
Light brown
Green-black
Beige
Yellow
Any of above
From the Old House Journal
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The style of Memorial Hall has been.termed 'Formal Empire,' by the
Northampton Historical Society, 'Naploeonic Second Empire,' accord-
ing to a plaque by the front entrance, 'Second Empire (Mansard),' by
'The Old House Journal,' or, i it was ahead of its' time,'Second
Renaissance Revival':
1890 -1920
f Scale and size distinguish the later revival from the
earlier Renaissance Revival. Large buildings, usually
three tall stories, are organized into distinct hori-
zontal divisions by pronounced belt or string courses.
[ Each floor is articulated differently... The window
trim or surround also ususally changes from floor to
floor... Arcades and arched openings often are seen in
the same building with straight - headed or pedimented
openings. Enriched and projecting cornices are sup-
ported with large modillions or consoles. The roof
often is highlighted with a balustrade.16
In any event, the building is considered by the City of Northampton
to be an historic structure worthy of restoration,but has unfortunately
been allowed to deteriorate due to lack of funds for its maintenance.
The brick facade and statues are in need of cleaning and restoration
-~1 due to the effects of our current atmosphere and the questionable uses
of pigeons. In addition, 'improvements' have been made over the years
!r~ to make the interior spaces more appropriate for current uses.
In 1980, the ground floor was rennovated for use by the Council on
Aging. Not only does the design fail to meet all the needs of the Council,
but the style of the interior does not complementthe architecture and de-
tailing of the building. This level is accessible to the handicapped, but
no other floor may be reached by a physically disabled person. The 'dug-
out' recently used by the Veterans of Foreign Wars for meetings, is now
being used as a pool room. It is also inaccessible to a person in a
r--~ wheelchair.
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As one enters the building, the marble floor of the Memorial
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Hall is in need of repair and, and an inappropriate lighting fixture
i{ is suspended from the ceiling. The skylight and roof have deterior-
ated to such an extent that in July of 1986, the glass abrubtly fell
in, luckily harming no one. It is now boarded up, rendering the entry
darker and bleaker than ever before.
On the first floor, offices for the Department of Social Services
were installed in 1981, slicing the grand, columned space into small
offices. Since this space is inaccessible to the handicapped, meetings
!l with handicapped persons must take place downstairs in the Council on
Aging. Currently, a second rennovation of these offices is taking place,
which unfortunately must continue to disregard the original architecture
to the same extent, as individual offices are programmatically necessary.
The Ladies'and Gentlemens' Parlors have been removed, and toilet
facilities are now scattered throughout the building in various odd
spaces formed by new walls, which sometimes actually bisect windows.
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On the second floor, the Northampton Historical Society has va-
cated the space,having outgrown it. In addition, the long stairway
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made it inaccessible to many who would have used it. Because of this
inaccessibility, the space stands vacant at the present time, an un-
likely fate for so prime a location in downtown Northampton, where
all such spaces are now at a premium
The need for handicapped accessibility is undeniably of extreme
importance if Memorial Hall is ever to be put to good use. Currently,
there are two alternatives under review for facilitating this:
1) A chairlift may be installed on the stairs leading from the ground floor
to the Memorial Hall, and from there to the DSS. Of course, a
chairlift is not an ideal solution to this problem,and it also has
not gained access to all levels. (see 1987 First Floor Plan)
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2) An elevator may be installed by removing half of the grand, central
stair, or by removing the entire stairand also creating a stairwell.
(see 1987 Ground Floor Plan) This would provide access to all floors,
but at the expense of destroying the classical symmetry of the entry
an unacceptable possibility if the building is to be restored as
opposed to rennovated.
Another issue that has become relevant in planning uses for Memorial Hall,
is that City Hall has become so overcrowded that the City Council Chambers
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are now housed in the nearby municipal building. (see plan of Downtown
Northampton) The low ceilinged room seats only 50 people, too few for a
city of Northampton's size, is poorly ventilated, and is lighted with fluor-
escent fixtures. The metal folding chairs are uncomfortable during the long
meetings that frequently take place; outer garments are draped over the chairs
for lack of a better place to put them. Viewing the City Council is dif-
ficult since all seating is on the same level, and there is no convenient
way to show slides or other supporting material. During the recesses, there is
nowhere for groups of people to comfortably converse, so they stand in the ad-
joining hall, or on the outside steps. The availability of refreshments would
be appreciated by many during these meetings, but no facility for this is
provided.
In the next section, these problems will be addressed, and specific
recommendations made for the future use of Memorial Hall.
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PLAQUE AT FRONT ENTRY
THE MEMORIAL HALL
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CONSTRUCTION FOR DSS
FIRST FLOOR
CURRENT CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
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SECOND FLOOR ( MUSEUM )
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F1 The Site:
After participating in meetings with the City Planner, City Council
President, Operations Manager and Purchasing Agent of Northampton, it has be-
come clear that Memorial Hall must be viewed as part of a larger picture
for appropriate planning of future use to occur. Located near the City
Hall and the Municipal Building which are both in need of additional
F7 space, memorial Hall should be perceived as part of a 'civic complex'
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which has become necessary to the growing city. This orientation would
also make funds for tom halls and civic centers available to the city
for the necessary restoration work.
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Appropria.te, planning of walkways between the three buildings would
serve to overcome the problem presented by the position of the Unitarian
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Church whic
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s as a barrier between them. Brick paving would be
more consistent with the surrounding archtecture than the currently used
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concrete and blacktop. Parking has been made available to the rear of
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the municipal building behind the new bus station, and an elevator is
being planned to conveniently transport people from that lower street
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Memorial Hall tends to be overshadowed by the more dramatic City
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Hall which is also situated in such a way as to, at times, obscure it
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from view. A large tree directly in front of the main entrance also
serves to hide the building from the street. The tree should be moved
and more appropriate landscaping investigated. At night, lighting the
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facade of Memorial Hall, particularly the two Civil War Statues and the
inscription under the cornice, would emphasize the distinctive features
of the building, as well as the monumentality of the architecture.
As discussed later in this section, the adjacent park has been
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included in the planning for Memorial Hall. It is important to note
that the park serves as a bridge between the civic buildings on the
east, and those on the west end devoted to cultural enrichment: the
Academy of Music, a recently restored theatre, and the Northampton
Center for the Arts, housed in the Old School Commons.
Accessibilitv to the Handicapped
Providing for necessary handicapped access to all levels of Me-
morial Hall has proved to be the central issue in determining to what
extent the original character of the:buildin.g may be preserved;. while at
the same time meeting the present needs of every-. citizen- of Northamp-
ton. In order to avoid disturbing the classically symmetrical central
stair, an elevator would be located within close proximity to the east
entrance of the building, where there is space for a vehicle to dis-
charge passangers at the door. In this location the elevator serves all
levels, with the exception of the front entry area. The east and west
entries would be restored to their former elegance, becoming the pre-
ferred route for those intending to use the ground level.
The Memorial Hall
At the heart of Memorial Hall's historical significance, the sold-
iers' memorial must be restored; the marble floor repaired, an appropri-
ate light fixture, a reproduction of those first used to bridge the gap
between gas and electric power] zr s:talled:,. the- -paper ::memo.i ials.:r-epldced
with,:bronze tablets similar to those` already.- in--,?place, .and--a11, to..be_
highlighted through the use of incandescent fixtures over each tablet,..
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r-i Finally, appropriate statues for the pedestals under the tablets, as
l well as for the newell posts would be commissioned to Northampton art-
ist's. The skylight is to be replaced with stained glass which would
J provide natural light during the day, and would also be equipped with
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I.! incandescent lights above: at night.
City Council Chambers
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as the library, would become the new City Council Chambers. The eleven
~J member City Council would be seated one foot above the audience for
l~ greater visibility at a U-shaped table designed to complement the archi-
tecture in its detailing. To the right, a Retiring Room offers a place
for informal discussion between Council members before and after meetings,
while the Conference Room to the left of the 'stage,' provides a setting
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for more formal, closed meetings.
Caucus Areas along the side of the Chambers, afford informal seating
n for small discussion groups,.while the Refreshment Area fills another
lJ vital need, allowing long meetings to proceed with greater comfort. It
(-1 is hoped that these amenities would encourage more townspeople to attend
IJ town meetings, and that these meetings would come to be viewed as impor-
tant social events by the citizens of Northampton.
To the left as one would enter from the main stair, and directly
accross from the elevator entrance, a cloak room has been provided. A
lowered entry has been created by the addition of the balcony, serving
to emphasize the grand scale of the Chambers as one emerges into the
space. The balcony may be reached via the elevated walkway on the second
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floor, strikingly lit by the skylight above, providing additional
seating, as well as a projection booth.
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While every attempt has been made to provide a comfortable atmos-
phere for conducting city council meetings, the interior design is, at
the same time formal. The central seating is inspired in designby church
pews, the simple line, in the tradition of the Arts and Crafts Movement,
serving to complement the ornate detailing of the interior. During the
'eclectic decades' of 1865 - 1895, current styles of furniture such as that
emerging from the Arts and Crafts Movement, might well have been combined
with styles of previous periods such as the Renaissance style P "By the
Civil War, the concept of one right look was dead." 18 Therefore, the
precedent existed to mix styles to provide a balance of formality and com-
fort in the Council Chambers, and more current have also been incorporated
where appropriate.
A standard color chart which advocated the theory that a color har-
monized best with its complement was in use during the period in which
Memorial Hall was built. "In general, the approved pattern of color ar-
rangement put darker colors and sober, somber shades on the floor and lower
walls, while the higher parts of the walls and the ceiling were sometimes
lighter or even bright or brilliant. "191n keeping with these- conventions,
muted olive tones are used on the floor, while the walls are a pale ochre,
the draperies a deep red, and the furniture is the same red, or gold de-
pending on its placement. This palette was chosen in part to harmonize
with the marble floor of the entry, this being the only surviving surface
to give a hint to the original interior colors of Memorial Hall.
The use of carpet is intended to alleviate accoustic problems caused
by the high ceiling, while the heavy draperies would aid in this goal
as well as acting as a shield from the bright western light of late after-
noon, and the drafts of evening.
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The Eclectic Decades
Table 12, Table of Color Harmony, with the Carpet as the Basis of Each Color Scheme,
from The Decorator and Furnisher'
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VARPET.
w00DWORE.
NICK
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UPHOLSTERY.
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DRAPERY
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Block hear rug.
White mahogany
Yellow striped paper
Painted.
Different tones of yellow.
Light yellow.
Yellow self-tones,
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Red and Ivory
and bronze.
or sill,,
rose.
Chocolate.
Ivory enamel
Ecru, warm.
Old rose.
Chocolate, ecru, old rose.
Light warm ecru.
Old Ivory, ecru and
Capote blue.
chocolate.
Citron.
Bronzy.
Old gold.
Citron.
Light gold, citron, old
Light gold.
Old gold, red and
Empire blue.
gold,
citron.
Claret.
Antique ank.
Olive green.
Gold.
Antique oak.
Vellum.
Red,
Bronze.
Deep sienna.
antique oak.
Bottle green,
Indian red
Deep sienna.
Deep ecru
Brown and Indian
Indian red.
red.
Ecru or fawn,
Old Ivory.
Light old Ivory.
Ecru. I
Deer er ecru and Indian
Very light Ivory.
Ivory, with Indian
Blue and ivory.
yellow.
I yellOW.
Gobelin blue.
F a{vn color or an.
Dull drab (dark).
Gobelin bilge or red. I
Dull drab, Oohelin blue,
Light deal)
Drab, Gobelin blue,,
Rose and Nile.
lique onk.
or red.
little Gobelin red.
Golden brown.
Black walnut.
gage green.
Golden brown,
Ochre.
Light ochre.
Save green 3 brown
Red and bronze.
Indian red.
Yellow brown.
Deep dull olive.
Indian yellow.
Olive.
Yellow olive.
Indian yellow 3 red.
Indian yellow.
Indigo.
Mahogany.
DeepPompelan red.
Bright deep olive.
Olive, red, blue.
Light olive. I
Deep Pompelanred..
Yellow.
Indian yellow.
Oak or cherry.
Indian yellow,
Deep Indian yellow.
Indian yellow,
Light Indian yellow.
Ltd. yellow; cardinal.
Heliotrope.
red, olive or blue
Leather.
Antique oak or
Bottle gram.
Maroon.
Leather.
Deep ecru.
Deep bottle green
Orange.
cocuboht.
and maroon.
Old green.
Antique oak.
Dill sage.
Pompeian red iduli).
Dull sage, ochre.
Light greenish active.
Brown, with Pom-
Capucioe red
peiun red.
01)1 rose.
Rosewood.
Sea green.
Old rose. •
Old rose and sea green,
Light Era green.
Sea green, grey, old
Old rose, with
Olive.
Black walnut,
Indian red or Indian
Darkblue,dk.Indian I
rose.
sea green.
cherry or mahog-
yellow,
red, dark Indian
' Olives
Light olive or ochre.
Deep Pompeian red
Copper bronze
any,
yellow.
or Indian yellow.
or Empire red.
Oriental rug.
Mahogdny-.
Pompeian red.
Same as wall.
mahogany.
Buff.
Deep yellow.
Oriental stuffs.
Pomp Ian r#-fl.
Olive.
Dull blue.
Dark Pmnpelan red.
Olive.
Cream.
Olive and red.
Tones of Pam.
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peian red.
Redorange,
Ash.
Ochre.
Bright olIva. I
Ochre and light dull
Palo achre.
live, yellow snit
Two tones of
orange.
orange.
olive.
Sage green.. /
Cherry.
Ochre.
Pompeian red.
Rage green, ochre.
Light sage green.
Pompeian red, dull
Pompeian red,
hlue, olive, sage.
Nile or sage.
Violet.
Butternut.
Vlolyt slid yyllnw.
Violet and gold.
Violet and gold.
Yellow.
Warm green.
Old gold.
~l
I.~ Taken from: A Documentary History of American Interiors
I J
J
L I
The fire stair in the rear of the building obscured ground floor,
windows, and was not in harmony with the style of the building. This
has been replaced with a balcony which may be approached through either
of two doors which are designed to harmonize with the existing arched
windows on the south side of the Chambers. The classical symmetry of
Memorial Hall is reflected in the double stairs which also provide a
more than adequate emergency escape route.
Law Firm
!-1
IJ
The second floor, formerly used by the Northampton Historical So-
ciety, would be occupied by a private Law Firm, a decision based in part
on the need of the city to make some rental space available to help.-fi-
nance the restoration and maintenance of the building. In addition,
with the City Council Chambers on the first floor, a Law Firm seemed
an appropriate choice to occupy the same building.
The Law Firm actually occupies two floors, making use of the central
stair for its own circulation needs, and may be entered in one of four
ways: from the elevator one may enter either the Reception Area on the
first floor, or the Office Manager's space on the second floor; the Re-
ception Area may also be approached through an entrance on the left branch
of the main stair; the client,may wish to approach the Conference Room
directly by ascending to the second floor via either branch of the cen-
tral stair.
Located directly over the Law Library, the secretaries and para-
professional share a space overlooking the park. Both partners are lo-
cated on the second floor in offices that command perhaps the best views
JI
of downtown Northampton in the city. These offices may be entered through
-13-
the main hall which is marble
i
tiled in keeping with the other halls and corriders in the building.
n The partners also have direct access to the Conference Room, as well
as to small, private bathrooms.
The furniture of the Law Firm is modern in style, in contrast to
that used in other areas in the building. However, the columnar shaped
supports of the tables and desks echoe the classical theme of columns
in a simplified style. The colors also offer a contrast through a cool
rather than a warm palette, and through the use of monotones as opposed
to complements. The tone is-cool, sophisticated and professional.
Senior Service Center
L1 It is 1987, and at the present time only 20% of Northampton's pop-
C1 ulation is over sixty-five. The largest age group is of persons from
twenty-five to thiry-five years of age, a statistic which highlights
I~ the fact that more people are now staying in the thriving city after
the college years, rather than leaving as was formerly the case. It
I,.J is anticipated that this group will eventually comprise a large popu-
F-) lation of elderly citizens for whom services and facilities must be
planned now.
j
The concept of a Senior Service
Center has been conceived to pro-
vide a meeting area for the exchange
of ideas, a place
to dine with
one's piers, to read, to exercise,
to participate in
games, to dance,
and to address issues peculiar to th
e elderly; it is a
place designed
to combat lonliness which.according
to Adrianne Asterfield of the
'I
Yale University School of Medicine,
is the malady most
often complained
1
20
of by those over sixty-five
-14-
Located on the ground floor of Memorial Hall the Cafe' of the
i
Senior Service Center would provide a lightfare: homemade soup, sand-
wiches, croissants, pastries, fresh ground coffees and exotic teas.
The style is modified self-service, with hot foods carried to the
customer, and assistance available to those who need it. With a vari-
ety of seating to choose from, one may sit near the counter at the
banquette, in the raised area overlooking the park, or in the central
area where there is space for large groups, and game tables are avail-
able. Tables are widely spaced to allow for the free passage of those
who are handicapped.
The choice of colors for the Cafe' is similar to that of the City
~.J Council Chambers, but the olive tones are omitted to keep the atmosphere.
I brighter, and greater contrast of color is provided by the use of black
~l
lacquered chairs against rose and gold tones.
The Minstrel's Gallery provides an area for quiet piano or a small
n dance band. A dance floor has been supplied, while the tables may either
be pushed to the side or removed to the ample storage space in the base-
ment.
I,
A new door on the west side would provide access to the park where
,n a brick paved seating area shielded from street noise by a fountain,
offers another way to enjoy a light lunch or conversation with friends.
Office space has been provided for the Director and Program Coor-
dinator for the Council on Aging, who may also choose to meet with cli-
ents in the informal atmosphere of the cafe'.
Li( As suggested in a former rennovation proposal to the City of North-
ampton, on the east and west sides of the Cafe; the floor has been
opened to allow light to the basement. On the west side, a stair has
1J
-15-
it
been provided, although the lower level may also be reached by elevator.
The lower level contains a Craft Room, an exercise area with locker space
provided, a reading room, ping pong tables, and more office spaces for
part-time staff of the Council on Aging. The Social Worker and Housing
r7
I.I Advocate have private offices which are entered through the offices of
1 the Travel Guild and Congregate Housing Coordinator who do not need the
same degree of privacy.
Many varieties of plants are situated in the areas of natural light
beneath the openings to the floor above; the Craft Room and Reading Room
both open onto these indoor parks. Members of the center may choose to
cultivate gardening skills in these areas.
The furnishings of the Reading Room are in wicker, and in general
the colors and materials on this floor are meant to convey a garden-
like ambiance, especially in winter. These materials are used
in the Pool Room, where their informality is again applicable. The
pool room is appropriately windowless, and is planned to capture the
atmosphere of a pool hall.
0
Ladies and Gentlemens' Parlors
Adding a touch of elegance to Memorial Hall, the Ladies and Gentlemens'
Parlors have been restored; carpet in the parlor area contrasts with tile
in the toilet area; the Thonet screens and furniture are the perfect
style for the restoration of not only a space , but a symbol for .-A-former
way of life.
-16-
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FOOTNOTES
1 Frank Lee Shuford III, The Paradise of America: An Economic
History of Main Street, Northampton, Massachusetts, 1860-1983,
Department of American Studies of Amherst College, 1984, Intro.
2 Ibid., p. 5
3 Ibid., p. 4
'I
1.
4
Ibid., p. 6
5 Ibid., P. 56
I
6 Ibid
66
p.
l
7 Ibid.
8 Ibid., p. 92
Ibid., p. 111
10 Ibid., p. 120
r
11 ibid.,
12
"Vote to Taise 25,000 for Memorial Hall," The Hampshire
11
~I
Gazette, November 12, 1867.
`
~
13 "Memorial Hall Site Bought," The Hampshire Gazette, March
-
16, 1869.
14
"John Clarke's Will," The Hampshire Gazette, July 13, 1869.
15 "Opposition to Location•of Forbes," The Hampshire Gazette,
June 30, 1885.
I
i__j
i~
-
FOOTNOTES (con't)
j
l
I
16
Illustrated Dictionary of Historic
Architecture, ed., by
•
Cyril
M. Harris, Dover Pub., Ind., N.Y.,
1977, p, 41 .
II
17
Edgar De N. Mayhew & Minor Myers,
Jr., A Documentary History
of American Interiors From The Colonial
Era to 1915, p. 193
18
11
Ibid.
I
1.
_
19
Ibid. p. 208
i-~
20
From an interview on Public Radio;
.date unknown
~J
I`
,I
I~
i
I
~
i~
I{
1
SOURCES
Blumenson, John, Identifying American Architecture, A Pictorial
Guide to Styles and Terms 1600 - 1945, New York, WW Norton
& Company, Inc., 1977.
Booth, Norman, Basic Elements of Landscape Architecturial Design,
New York, Elsevier Science Publishing Co.,.Inc. 1983.
Comstock, Helen, American Furniture, Seventeenth, Eighteenth, and
Nineteenth Century Styles, New York, The Viking Press, 1962.
Fitzgerald, Oscar P. Three Centuries of American Furniture,
New Jersey, Prentice Hall, Inc., 1982.
Gorsline, Douglas, What People Wore, A visual History of Dress
From Ancient Times to Twentieth - Century America, New York,
The Viking Press, 1952.
r-•
I~ Hampshire Gazette, Massachusetts.
Hamilton, Margot, & Bucknell, Peter A., The Evocation of Fashion:
Pattern & Cut from 1066 to 1930, London, BT Batsford Ltd.,
1967.
Harris, Cyril M., ed., Illustrated Dictionary of Historic Architec-
ture, New York, Dover Pub., 1977.
Hicks, David, David Hicks Garden Design, London, Routledge & Degan
Paul, Ltd, 1982.
Laver, Jamer, Costume, New York, Hawthorn Books, Inc. 1963.
Laver, James, Costume & Fashion, A Concise History, New York
Oxford University Press, 1983.
I
SOURCES ( con't)
MacDonald, William C., Northampton, Massachusetts, Architecture
& Buildings.
Mayhew, Edgar de N., & Myers, Minor, A documentary History of Amer-
ican Interiors from the Colonial Era to 1915.
Naylor, Gillian, The Arts & Crafts Movement, A Study of Its Sources
Ideals And Influence on Design Theory, Massachusetts, The
MIT Press, 1971.
'Restoration & Maintenance Techniques.for the Antique House, The Old.
House Journal, Vol. IX, No. 4, April, 1981.
Shuford III, Frank Lee, The Paradise of America: An Economic History
1 of Main Street, Northampton, Mass. 1860 - 1983, Massachusetts,
l_ 1
Department of American Studies of Amherst College, 1984.
F~ The Craftsman, copyright 1901 by Gustive Stickley, Eastwood, N.Y.,
The United Crafts Publishers, Volume One, No. 1, Oct. 1901-
March 1902.
The Tercentenary History Committee, The Northampton Book, Chapters
from 300 Years in the Life of a New England Town, 1654 - 1954,
Brattleboro, Vermont, Alan S. Browne Inc., 1954.
U
--1