massachusetts travel

Norwood Theatre // 1927

Buildings of New EnglandLeave a comment

The Norwood Theatre was built in 1927 as a high-style showpiece for the re-invigorated downtown of Norwood, Massachusetts. Built at the same time as the Norwood Town Hall building, the building was constructed at a time of great development in the town, as local entrepreneur and philanthropist, George Willet and landscape architect Arthur A. Shurcliff, created a plan to evolve Norwood from a sleepy rural town to a commercial center. Architect William G. Upham is credited with designing the theatre and he enjoyed a prolific career which encompassed the design of masonic temples, commercial blocks, theatres, homes, and of course, the Norwood Town Hall. The Norwood Theatre was designed in a high-style Spanish Renaissance Revival style and was designed for motion pictures but also included a stage for possible vaudeville and theatrical productions. By the mid-20th century, a Modern sign covered much of the original facade, and lasted until the building came under its current ownership in 2010. A careful two-year restoration brought the theatre back to its former glory.

Norwood Town Hall // 1928

Buildings of New England2 Comments

Norwood Town Hall represents the achievement of landscape architect Arthur A. Shurtleff and local financier, George Willet, to transform the village center of Norwood, Massachusetts from a sleepy rural village to a thriving commercial and cultural center of town. Plans for the municipal building began as early as 1919, with this building serving as both a town hall and memorial to the Norwood men who died in all previous wars. The building would not be completed until 1928. Designed by Norwood architect, William Upham, the building is a landmark example of the Neo-Gothic Revival style and its main feature, the 110-foot bell-tower which houses a 50-bell carillon, towers over the town common.

Rockridge Cottage // c.1830

Buildings of New EnglandLeave a comment

Few houses in Rockport, Massachusetts showcase the town’s history as a granite exporter as well as this large residence on the appropriately named Granite Street. The history of this dwelling goes back to 1828 when a young Samuel Parker (1801-1878) married Jane Boyd Rowe that year. From this marriage, Samuel and Jane inherited her family’s farmland here, which worked well for her new husband’s ambitions. Samuel Parker was engaged in granite quarries in Quincy, Massachusetts before moving to Rockport to establish a business here. In Pigeon Cove, Samuel worked as a foreman for the Pigeon Hill Granite Company and clearly used some of the granite quarried on the site to erect this stately home by around 1830. Samuel would later leave his wife for about 10 years to participate in the California Gold Rush from 1850-1860, but returned due to his older age. Their granite home became known as Rockridge Cottage through the subsequent generations of owners, all descendants of Samuel and Jane. The dormers and Victorian-era portico at the entrance were likely added in the latter decades of the 19th century.