If you have wondered why we are so passionate about the 1835 Town Hall, this video might give you a glimpse. None of us grew up in Sterling in the early 19th Century, but we can still be proud of our forefathers and the legacy that they left behind for us to respect, honor and care for. It is a symbol, no different than a flag we carry tall or a badge we wear with pride. In the case of our Town, it is our cornerstone, it represents the best of what we were and what we are and what we hope to be.

Our Town Hall from Robert McKay Jones on Vimeo.

Below are some statistics for the use of the 1835 Town Hall (2015-2016). More than 600 people use the building each month with upwards of 8,000 visits per year.

Thanks to Kristen Dietel, Director of the Recreation Department for accumulating these numbers.

Today, March 14, 2017  we are hunkered down for a blizzard nor’easter expecting 1-2 feet of snow.  This picture of the Town Hall could have been taken this morning, a couple of years ago or 150 years ago. It is really hard to tell.  In fact, the picture was taken almost to the day, three years ago.

There is something wonderful about this image, comforting in fact.  It provides a sense of continuity. Knowing, as much as things change, there are some things that remain the same. Especially those things that represents our proud history , culture and civic responsibility, it remains steadfast and  still proud.

What if the 1835 Town Hall were to Disappear?

I ask myself all the time, “Why do I care so much for our Town Hall?”. It’s a tough question for me to answer and maybe because the answer is personal.

What strikes a chord is to ponder questions like; What if the Town Hall could speak? What would the whispers say? Would it tell us the tales of the men, women and children who walked on its floors, the music that vibrated its walls, the leaders that spoke within the rooms, the sites seen through its windows. Would it echo the voices of people long gone? Would it tell us of the growing pains from modification and modernization? The oldest town building in Sterling, older than any school, church or Inn surely has some stories to tell. Only some of our towns’ homes would remember more. It has witnessed more in its impressive lifetime than we might imagine. What if the Town Hall could speak?

It’s a struggle to chronicle the history and even more challenging to consider some of the wonder surrounding this simple yet grand old building. If we could take a walk through the annals of time and stroll through nearly two centuries of an unfinished legacy, we would find a tale of citizenship and freedom, excitement and charm, purpose and utility and, not unlike our Town, distinction.

Our original Town House, built on donated land in 1801 and the first in Worcester County separating civic from religious matters, was in need of repair and, after three decades of service, was too small to support the needs of the 1,800 inhabitants of Sterling.

In 1834, the people of Sterling voted to build a new Town House. Jacob Conant, who owned the rights to the cellar of the old Town House as well as the surrounding land, was compensated $80 by the Town to give both over to the Town. The original structure was moved down the road a bit – where it still stands to this day and serves as a residence.

In its place, in 1835, a new well-proportioned building, a monument of sorts, designed by local Sterling builder John Springer, was constructed to support the affairs, meetings, cultural events and community gatherings for a developing Town. At a cost of $2,857.85, a two-story, three-bay Greek temple with a grand entrance through four Doric columns hand-crafted by local builder John M. Stevenson erected atop four large granite steps with a Great Hall and gallery now stood proudly at the center of our Town. A young Edwin Conant delivered the dedication before a large crowd that fine November day. It was followed by an evening of celebration and musical entertainment.

Looking back, 1835 was a time of growth and prosperity, yet there was a fervent memory of the fight for Independence and the spirit of Freedom was still very fresh in the minds of the people – as fresh as our memory of Man walking on the moon. In the town center, there were two churches (a third soon to follow), three taverns, five stores and mills, farming and manufacturing nearby. Horses, cattle and swine were no longer permitted to roam freely in town, but wagons travelled through the streets with regularity. The national debt decreased to zero for the only time in history. Abraham Lincoln was in his first term in the Illinois House of Representatives. The United States consisted of only twenty-four States. Texas, Michigan, Iowa, Colorado and Florida and twenty-one other States had not yet been admitted to the Union. Jacob Conant was Town Treasurer and Town Moderator. The School Committee had such notable members as Osgood, Kilburn, Wilder, Sawyer and Houghton. Edwin Conant, a Harvard Law School graduate and prominent attorney, had just moved his office from Sterling Center to Worcester.

The Town Hall was a vital gathering place for all Sterling citizens to congregate for civic, political and cultural matters and occasionally, with permission, religious worship.

As the decades past, the Town Center grew considerably. The old Town Hall welcomed the addition of a Grange, Hotel, High School, Library and nearby Almshouse. It hosted all the meetings of the Selectmen, various committees and especially the School Committee overseeing the eleven School Districts carefully positioned around town.

Sadly, in 1891, Edwin Conant died, but he left a sizeable legacy in cash, property and possessions to the Town of Sterling which helped fund many projects. In addition to his 1885 bequest of the Library, he contributed $20,000 to the Sterling High School and more to local churches. His legacy for Sterling was impressive, but as impressive was his appreciation for education. He left his Worcester mansion and $10,000 in cash to the Worcester Natural History Society now known as the Ecotarium on the condition that they give a series of lectures at Sterling to help educate, inform and enlighten. The Selectmen of the day saw fit to continue the Conant Course of Lectures all of which were held at the Town Hall well into the early 20th century.

But change was soon coming to the old Town Hall. It was noted after a Maypole celebration held at the Town Hall May 13, 1892, “The crowded and suffocating conditions of the hall should strongly impress the Town of the necessity of enlarging it with proper ventilation”. It became evident that the Town Hall was again too small for Sterling.

On March 20, 1893, the Town voted to accept a $2,000 donation from Mrs. Jane Kilburn and promised to pay the balance for a considerable addition to the Town Hall. Two additional bays were added along with a stage, timber beams were removed from the Great Hall and replaced by rods with claws. A gallery audience could clearly view the entire length all the way to the stage. It was reported in the Fitchburg Sentinel August 8, 1893 “The Town Hall is fast assuming the long looked proportions. The Selectmen have had a great deal to bear with the grumbling of those who knew nothing about it, but they are coming off with flying colors and the growlers are resting satisfied”.

This 1906 photograph shows the Great Hall just prior to a large banquet. It was taken from the gallery and shows the rods as well as the impressive gas-light chandeliers (electricity did not come to the Town Hall until 1911).

There is no single destiny for a building. Purpose evolves over time and that is part of the magic of our Town Hall. History will recount that for nearly two centuries, this building has been used for so many different things. Too long ago for anyone to remember are the multitude of events including preaching of the Baptist minister Rev. Grovesner (1837), Grange meetings (1885), Ladies Industrial Society Annual Meeting (1893), Worcester Medical Societies 50th Anniversary (1909), Annual Balls of many organizations like the Young People’s Union (1894), Sterling High School Alumni (1902), High School Graduation (1906), Sterling Hook and Ladder Company (1914), Leominster Sportsman Association (1930), Scoutmasters (1945) and so many others. Concerts by orchestras and quartets, solo performances in whistling, piano and oration. We have only a few photographs of the theatrical performances presented on the stage which still retains the built-in stage lighting. In winter, people would sleigh ride from surrounding towns to attend a concert or a dance at our Town Hall. In the late 30’s and early 40’s there was dancing every Tuesday night with the music of St. Cyr’s Orchestra or the Jones Boys.

And who knows what sorts of people were held in the steel-reinforced jail cell in the basement when the constables of the day took someone into custody?

More recently, some will recall walking to the Town Hall daily for lunch service while attending Butterick School (now the Municipal Building). Many will remember the weekly auctions popular in the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s. The Red Cross Chapter headquartered at the Town Hall in the mid 40’s. A few may remember attending Catholic Mass in the Great Hall in the late 50’s some years before their church was built.

Many will recall attending an annual Town Meeting, paying their taxes or obtaining their building permits or dog licenses when all Town Offices were housed here.

And we cannot forget the temporary tenants. The Library when renovating the Conant Library, Fire and Police when their new homes were being built, or DPW when they needed a home.
And today, even more have fond memories of the recreational activities as this is the home of the Sterling Recreation Department and host to many classes and programs for all ages. Of note, toddlers (tiny tots) experience their first interactions with other toddlers as they play or listen to music and singing in the morning. Exercise classes with Boot Camp, Yoga, Zumba or Kettlebells. Meetings of the Girl Scouts, Coin Club, Historical Commission. 1835 Town Hall Committee and others.

The Town Hall means different things to different people at different times in their lives. It is part of the fabric of our Town and weaves its way into the memories and lives of people over time. It remains, mostly unchanged, graciously and humbly serving the needs of all the people in our community.

We owe a debt of gratitude to those who built it and must honor the legacy of those who supported it over the years. We must remember those that found inspiration within these walls?

Stay tuned…

1860 Sterling was depicted in an issue of the 19th-20th century fashion and women’s magazine The Delineator published by the Butterick Publishing Company. Butterick Patterns was founded in Sterling. Note our Town Hall, the oldest surviving Town building, at center right. Click on image to enlarge.

The drawing was drawn by Brooklyn born painter, illustrator, author Corwin Knapp Linson (1864-1959).

The MME Gallery in New York provides his biography: “Corwin Linson spent most of his life in the New York area; living and working in Atlantic Heights, New Jersey, on the Raritan Bay. He shared a studio with Stephen Crane, author of The Red Badge of Courage, whom he accompanied and collaborated on investigative missions to expose the conditions of the working class, including Pennsylvania coal miners, and residents of Manhattan’s Bowery. Linson made numerous illustrations for magazines such as McClure’s and The Century, and his subjects ranged from social commentary, to travel images, to biblical subjects. In addition to his practical experience as an illustrator, he received his formal training in Paris, at the Academie Julien and the Ecole des Beaux Arts.

Many of the top institutions exhibited Linson’s work, including the Paris Salon in 1890; Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, 1892-93, 1904, 1925; the Art Institute of Chicago and National Academy of Design, 1892-95; and the Corcoran Gallery Biennial, 1923. Examples of his work can be found in the collections of Williams College, Williamstown,MA; the Library of Congress, Washington, DC; and the Fogg Museum, Cambridge, MA, among others.”

The 1835 Town Hall Committee is working to obtain funding in 2017 (FY2018) to repair roof structure and replace roof covering which will also return the Great Hall to 19th Century vaulted ceilings and open architecture. (We have also provided Capital and

Finance Committees with projected costs for septic resolution and universal access). The roofing project will trigger compliance with Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (AAB) regulations (521 CMR) applying to the use of public buildings by the physically handicapped.

The 1835 Town Hall Committee strongly supports and is working hard to achieve universal access to the Town Hall. We will seek Town, donor and grant funding to bring it to fruition in the near future. However, there are administrative and financial constraints that prevent us from attaining these goals simultaneously with our roofing project.

The Committee has therefore sought advice and guidance as to the variance process from the Massachusetts AAB to postpone and/or adjust compliance.

Mr. Thomas P. Hopkins, Executive Director, Massachusetts Architectural Access Board kindly agreed to visit Sterling and present us with guidance and case studies to help us through the process. We are hopeful that armed with this information we will be able to obtain variances in time and code so that we can accomplish this important mission thoughtfully, effectively and permanently all the while maintaining the historical character of the Town Hall.

Universal Access to all floors of the 1835 Town Hall is a priority for the 1835 Town Hall Committee, but the roof must come first. The roof project will trigger compliance with Architectural Access Board universal access requirements as set forth in  521CMR (Code of Massachusetts Regulations).

The Committee has met with Thomas P.Hopkins, Executive Director of the Architectural Review Board regarding obtaining variances in time and code so that we may proceed with the roof project and delay the requirements of 521CMR. Mr. Hopkins indicated that the AAB has worked with other municipalities and not-for-profits understanding that there are financial constraints that come in to play with the restoration and renovation of historical structures and offered to visit us in Sterling. We were pleased to extend an invitation.

Please join the 1835 Town Hall Committee Wednesday, February 15th at 6:00pm at the Town Hall. We will welcome Mr. Hopkins who will speak with us on Universal Access and 521CMR with Case Studies.

Our Waushacum Lakes, valued for the purity of the water, were the source of tons of ice beginning as early as 1870. By 1902, an ice consortium worth more than $16 Million was consolidating smaller ventures into The New England Consolidated Ice Company controlling the principal ice companies of New England. Modelled after Standard Oil, ice was considered a public utility of sorts as it was necessary in every household. A block of ice would last as long as three weeks in an insulated metal ice box. Boston alone required some 90,000 tons of ice per month.

Plows would clear the snow off of the Waushacum Lakes as soon as the ice could handle the horse teams with plows. It was reported that 500,000 tons of ice were removed from the ponds each year. Ice houses stored tons of 12” thick ice blocks. Each block cut from the ponds with a saw, hooked and pulled from the water with tongs and placed on a sled and dragged by horse to the ice house. The houses were owned by the Sterling Inn, C.F. Ward, Patten Brothers, J.W. Fitch, E. Burpee, John Gates, the Providence Ice Company and others. Ice houses populated the shores of both ponds. On West Lake Waushacum, the houses were near the rail line (now the rail trail just west of the bridge) on the Quag. So close to the rail line were these houses, fires occasionally broke out caused by sparks from the passing by locomotives.

Temporary workers were hired for as much as 20 cents per hour to cut the thick cakes of ice and pull them from the freezing water filling the ice houses. In severely cold weather, the Providence Ice Company employed as many as 70 men harvesting as much as 20,000 tons per week. Other workers had more steady employment delivering ice to the neighboring towns and cities by rail.

By 1937, the use of ice had begun to dwindle. Many of the ice houses were leveled and in September, 1937, the Providence Ice House was demolished and the 30 foot long 3” hard pine planks were sold off as scrap by the Shanberg Wrecking Company of Clinton.

The land we now call Sterling was gathered in three distinct grants. The first in 1643, a stretch of land bordering Lancaster purchased from Sholan, the Sachem of the Nashuaggs who resided in the highlands overlooking both Waushacum Ponds. The second purchased by John Moore, John Houghton and Nathaniel Wilder from Tohanto, a nephew of Sholan in 1701. The third in 1768 was created by an act of the Legislature setting off a strip of land from Shrewsbury to Lancaster in the west from the Quinnepoxit River to Stillwater River. A portion of this tract was eventually set off to West Boylston in 1808. Five hills dominate; Rowley Hill, Justice Hill, Fitch’s Hill, Kendall Hill and Redstone Hill. There is also the Wiccapicca or Wekepeke Hill in the north.

Sterling, prior to incorporation in 1781, was known as the “Second Parish of Lancaster” or the “West Precinct of Lancaster” and often called Chocksett, a native American name. It has been claimed that our Town was named for the town of Stirling, Scotland. That may have some coincidental truth as a map of Scotland Establishments dating to the 1600’s shows Stirling had been spelled Sterling. The Establishment of Sterling or Stirling Scotland is quite famous for hosting the National Wallace Monument (of Braveheart fame) and Stirling Castle, the ancestral castle of the Earls of Stirling, the largest castle in Scotland and childhood home to Mary Queen of Scotland 1542-1567.

It is however widely accepted that Sterling was named for William Alexander (1726-1783) known as Lord Stirling, Earl of Stirling, Scotland. Alexander, born in New York, claimed earldom in Scotland, but the Earl of Stirling became dormant with the death of the 5th Lord Stirling, Henry Alexander in 1739. William filed claim which was settled in his favor by a unanimous vote of a jury of twelve in a Scottish court in 1759 however was ultimately turned down by the House of Lords.

Alexander engaged with Governor Shirley in the French and Indian War, served in Battles of Long Island, became Major General and in 1781, when our Town was incorporated, became the Commander of the Northern Army under George Washington. Lord Stirling was considered 3rd or 4th in rank behind General Washington. Lord Stirling ultimately settled in Basking Ridge, New Jersey where he built a palatial estate. He has a proud legacy here in Sterling, Massachusetts but also in Basking Ridge with Lord Stirling Stables, School, Outdoor Education Area, Park and Manor.

A large portrait of Lord Stirling currently rests at the 1835 Town Hall and will be prominently mounted in the Great Hall once Town Hall renovations are complete.

Map of the Kingdome of Scotland 1662; Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland
(Click to enlarge)