Washington Town Hall - Washington Common Historic District - Washington, New Hampshire
Posted by: BruceS
N 43° 10.574 W 072° 05.768
18T E 736018 N 4784479
Historic town hall for the rural community of Washington, New Hampshire.
Waymark Code: WM4XFR
Location: New Hampshire, United States
Date Posted: 10/09/2008
Views: 4
"The Washington Town Hall was called a meetinghouse when it was erected in
1787. A hundred years later it was known as the Town House; today as the Town
Hall. It is built along classic lines and proportions and originally there was
nothing unusual abut it; it was one of hundreds like it. Now it is a very rare
specimen. Originally, the Congregational Church and the town shared the use of
the building. When it was built there was a two-story enclosed entrance,
called a "porch," at each end.
In 1825 the bell tower replaced one porch (the other is still intact), and
side and transom windows were added to the front door. Later in the 19th
century the interior was altered to accommodate new uses: the lower boxpews were
removed, and a floor inserted to create two stories. Town meetings were held
here for over two hundred years, until the space available became too small
(1990s), but the building has always been, and is now, in daily use for town
business.
The building is well-cared for, and for over a hundred years no major changes
have been made in it." ~
Washington Historic Buildings