1890 - Veterans Memorial Hall - Rockport, Massachusetts
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N 42° 39.508 W 070° 37.070
19T E 367403 N 4724158
Veterans Memorial Hall on Main Street in Rockport, Massachusetts, was dedicated on Memorial Day in 1890 to honor the 42 men from town who died in the Civil War.
Waymark Code: WM16JPV
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 08/15/2022
Views: 1
Veterans Memorial Hall on Main Street in Rockport, Massachusetts, was dedicated on Memorial Day in 1890 to honor the 42 men from town who died in the Civil War. Most of the funds for the single story building were raised by a local group - the Ladies Memorial Circle. It also was the meeting hall for the Grand Army of the Republic, Otis W. Wallace Post 106 until its disbanding in 1954. The hall was sold to a First Church of Christ, Scientist congregation at that time and currently is in private ownership.
The original red brick cladding had a coat of old and peeling white paint the day of my visit. The exception being for the "Memorial Hall" engraved stone plate in the half story tower above the front entry on the right/east third of the building. The double doors are at the top of six granite steps in a covered portico accessed through an integrated round arch. A pair of five-pane sidelights abut the doorway. Inlaid outside the upper edge of the arc, one each to the left and right, are embossed shields. The left crest contains the initials "GAR"; the right, two dates: 1861 and 1890. The earlier represents the June 1861 gathering of the first locals to volunteer as soldiers -- in total, 399 men from town enlisted for the Union; the latter, the place's dedication year. Also, placed on the wall to the right of the arch and steps is a more modern plaque that reads: "Memorial Hall - Grand Army of the Republic - 1890" in blue text against a gray background.
Sources:
Massachusetts Civil War Monuments Project
Buildings of New England
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