Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts: An historical restoration

Worcester County's version of the burgeoning 19th century New England “Mechanics Associations” started in 1842 and a few years later ground was broken for the building which would house the association's fairs, trade shows, lectures, concerts, and other cultural events. A local architect, Elbridge Boyden, was paid $500 to design the “Victorian” structure in downtown Worcester, which was to house an “acoustically perfect” 1500 seat hall on the third level, a 600 seat hall directly below on the second level and the more profiitable shops and other rental space at the street level. Thoreau, Mark Twain, and Dickens spoke in the hall and Caruso, Paderewski, among others, made music. In the 20th century, the building, like most in downtown urban centers, fell into decline, being ultimately used for roller skating. In 1974, the Mechanics Hall Association acquired funding to renovate the hall under the guidance of Anderson Notter Finegold Associates of Boston. In November 1977 the opening concert initiated a vari...