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Gift of the Barrett Family, 2011.497.2.2  © 2012 The Connecticut Historical Society.
Town Hall, Enfield
Gift of the Barrett Family, 2011.497.2.2 © 2012 The Connecticut Historical Society.

Town Hall, Enfield

ArchitectDesigned by Barrett Bros. American, active 1890 - 1893
Date1891-1892
MediumArchitectural drawings, pencil on heavy paper
DimensionsSheet (height x width): 14 1/2 x 24in. (36.8 x 61cm)
ClassificationsGraphics
Credit LineGift of the Barrett Family
DescriptionPlans for a two story colonial revival style building with gable roof, clapboard and shingle siding, featuring a three story towered entrance with conical roof and implied flag pole pinnacle. Also featured along the front elevation is an arched recessed entryway, supported by Doric columns, with raised paneled entry doors, and applied stick-work highlighting architectural elements.

Windows on the building appear as double-hung plate glass sash windows, with detailed pediment lintels on the first story and corniced lintels on the second story. Also appearing is a large Palladian style window on the second story, and small double-hung six-over-one grouped sash windows on the tower third story.

A total of two drawings comprise the set, showing the first and second floor plans, as well as front elevation and section details. The first story plan includes the recessed entry, a hallway, toilet, Town Clerk's Office, and Selectman's Office. The second story plan includes an open floor plan labeled as a library.
Object number2011.497.2.1-.2
InscribedAll drawings have accession numbers handwritten in pencil on verso, lower right. All drawings have architectural dimensions and notes in pencil. Drawing 2011.497.2.2 has an individual title handwritten in pencil in center on recto, (2011.497.2.2 "Design for Town Hall / for Town of Thompsonville, Conn.") On drawings 2011.497.2.1-.2, handwritten in pencil on verso, appears the notation: "Enfield Town Hall." On drawing 2011.497.2.1, handwritten in pencil, upper left on recto appears the note: "Anytime before Wed next at 5 o'clock / AD Bridge / Hazardville, Conn". On drawing 2011.497.2.2, handwritten in pencil, on recto upper left in border appears the note: "A.D. / Mr. Bridge / Hazardville, Conn."NotesSubject Note: Records from ‘The Hartford Courant’ show that the town of (Thompsonville) Enfield first proposed erecting a new town hall at the cost of $10,000 in 1891, plans were submitted and reviewed, but the decision was indefinitely postponed as a new town hall was deemed unnecessary. Later in 1892 a more modest and inexpensive town hall was proposed, but this was met to the outcry of citizens as it lacked a fireproof safe. It seems likely that the Barrett Brothers design dates to this period.

A.D. Bridge was president of the Hazardville Water Company. It is not known what if any connection he had to the proposed town hall plans.
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