Springfield Municipal Group (1913)
On January 6, 1905, Springfield’s old City Hall was destroyed in a fire, said to have been started by a kerosene lamp overturned by a monkey. The city then undertook the project of constructing an ambitious new Municipal Group, which was completed in 1913. The group, designed by architects Harvey Wiley Corbett and F. Livingston Pell, consists of three structures: two matching columned Greek Revival buildings serving as the City Hall and the Auditorium (now Symphony Hall) and between them, rising to 300 feet, the Italianate-style Campanile (clock tower, above). The tower was attacked by an anarchist truck bomb during construction, but the thick walls survived. The tower has a twelve bell carrillion which plays sixteen notes of Handel‘s Messiah.
Below are pictures of the other two components of the Municipal Group: City Hall and Symphony Hall.
City Hall
Symphony Hall
Following is a press release that was sent this morning to local media. Given your association with many of Springfield. landmarks, we hoped that you might promote the upcoming series of walking tours highlighting Springfield’s architecture. Any help you could provide in promoting these walks would be much appreciated. Thank you.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nancy Urbschat
Pro Springfield Media
P: 413.787.0758
F: 413.730.6689
E: nancy@tsmdesign.com
Look up, Springfield
Guided architectural walking tours premiere on Thursday, May 16 at noon.
Springfield, Massachusetts (May 7, 2013): Pro Springfield Media, in partnership with the Springfield Preservation Trust, will host “Look Up, Springfield” a series of FREE guided walking tours of downtown Springfield’s historic architecture. There will be five lunchtime tours in all. Each will begin at Monarch Place Plaza at 12:00pm sharp and lasting until 12:45pm. The first walking tour will be held on Thursday, May 16. Subsequent tours, June through September, will be held on the third Thursday of each month. Rain or shine.
Truly appreciating a city’s architecture requires getting out, walking around and looking up.
What better way to get to know Springfield and its amazing architecture than a guided walk with an expert tour guide. The first tour, on May 16, will feature Mattoon Street and Apremont Triangle.
According to tour guide and 36-year Mattoon Street Historic District resident, Bob McCarroll, “Mattoon Street features brick Victorians on both sides of a brick-lined street as well as an HH Richardson-designed church. Apremont Triangle has an interesting history. At one time, it was home to a Rolls Royce distributorship and other high-end retailers. ”
Participants are invited to upload their pictures of the tour at http://www.facebook.com/prospringfieldmedia.
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Details of Tour Series
What “Look Up Springfield,” a FREE series of guided walking architectural tours in downtown Springfield, MA
Where Arrive at Monarch Place Plaza at 12:00pm sharp. Get a map of Monarch Place here. Get driving directions to Monarch Place here. Just show up!
When May 16, 12:00pm – 12:45pm. Featuring Mattoon Street and Apremont Triangle
June 20, 12:00pm – 12:45pm. Featuring State Street and Quadrangle
July 18, 12:00pm – 12:45pm. Featuring Court Square
August 15, 12:00pm – 12:45pm. Featuring North Blocks (Lyman to Bridge)
September 19, 12:00pm – 12:45pm. Featuring South Blocks (State to Union)
Bob McCarroll holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of William and Mary and a Master of City and Regional Planning degree from Rutgers University. Between 1972 and 2002, he worked in the Springfield Planning Department with historic preservation as one of his responsibilities. Now retired, Bob serves on the Springfield Historical Commission and on the board of the Springfield Preservation Trust. He coordinates the annual Mattoon Street Arts Festival, the region’s oldest arts and crafts show. He and neighbor Erica Walch are promoters of Springfield as a great place to live through their volunteer web site http://www.ChooseSpringfieldMass.com.
Pro Springfield Media is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to changing the conversation about Springfield, MA through initiatives and events that highlight and elevate the positive attributes that define our city. It’s a small but critical step toward a stronger, more vibrant Springfield.
The Springfield Preservation Trust is the non-profit/non-government advocate group for historic preservation in Springfield. Its mission to preserve and protect properties in Springfield, Massachusetts that have architectural, historic, educational, or general cultural significance for public edification and enjoyment.
Best,
Pat Barnes
ProSpringfield Media
This is actually useful, thanks.