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Selected Buildings in Barre, Vermont. by Tim Croteau. Barre History. 19,900 acre parcel of land was chartered in 1780 by the Republic of Vermont to William Williams Was given the name of Wildersburgh First settlers came from southern New England
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Selected Buildings in Barre, Vermont by Tim Croteau
Barre History • 19,900 acre parcel of land was chartered in 1780 by the Republic of Vermont to William Williams • Was given the name of Wildersburgh • First settlers came from southern New England • Rapid settlement took place when interior roads were in place in 1790 • Name changed to Barre at a town meeting in 1793
Barre History cont. • Manufacturing enterprises were established after initial settlement of the community (saw mill, grist mill, bartering of food) • Granite industry established after the War of 1812 • Railroad made granite industry prosperous • Population grew from 2,060 in 1880 to 10,000 in 1894
Barre History cont. • Many immigrants came from other countries to work in the granite quarries surrounding Barre (mini-melting pot) • People stay here because of the good schools, cultural activities/places, various churches, low crime rate, well-kept streets, good jobs, ect.
Map of Barre – Building Locations ⌂ Barre Civic Center ⌂ Aldrich Public Library ⌂ Residential Home ⌂ Vermont History Center
Photographic Record of Four Town Buildings • Building 1 – Aldrich Public Library • Building 2 – Barre Civic Center • Building 3 – Residential Home • Building 4 – Vermont History Center
Aldrich Public Library • Location : Center of downtown Barre • Style : Neo-Classical • Architect : Penn Varney of Lynn, Mass. • Chronology : built in 1907; culmination of several small book collections in Barre when it first opened; created and sustained by Leonard Frost Aldrich; 8000 square foot addition and other improvements were completed in 2000
Aldrich Public Library cont. • Significance : Barre’s residents have access to the library and can borrow books free of charge; modern learning/information center with more than 50,000 volumes; houses the Barre Museum and Archives, Ethnic Heritage collection included in archives; separate gallery for art exhibits and cultural activities
Aldrich Public Library cont. • Culture : Leonard Frost Aldrich saw a need for a single large library in Barre rather than several smaller ones; library emphasizes importance of reading, research, and Barre’s heritage; since Barre is called the ‘granite center of the world’, the original trustees of the library wanted some part of the building to be constructed of granite (hence the two granite pillars for the entrance)
Aldrich Public Library cont. • Experience : has well-thought-out floor plan for easy access; librarians are kind and courteous; building meets building codes through the addition and improvements which were made in 2000 (handicapped – accessible entrance/restrooms, elevator access to all floors, meeting room for children and adult programs, new technology (internet access, CD – Rom, on-line catalog), improved public parking, extra
Aldrich Public Library cont. • Experience cont. : shelf space for books/tapes); original building will be 100 years old in 2007; Barre residents will keep the library running for years to come as expressed in their willingness to add on to the building in the recent past (they see the library as an integral part of the town) • Materials : solidly constructed of bricks, granite, and heavy timbers; two granite pillars give the front entrance of the library a dignified look
Aldrich Public Library cont. • Materials cont. : every exterior wall has some form of architectural element designed into it (doors, windows, indented brick); there is polished/varnished woodwork and skilled finish carpentry in moldings and mantels of two substantial fireplaces; craftsmanship gives reading rooms an air of comfort and serenity
Barre Civic Center • Location : plateau overlooking Barre • Style : old arena • Architect : unknown • Chronology : began as Goddard Seminary, chartered in 1863; built in 1869; named in honor of Thomas A. Goddard who was a generous benefactor to the building fund; building was torn down in 1930 because of a decline in the
Barre Civic Center cont. • Chronology cont. : student body; replaced by the Barre Municipal Building in 1939; currently called the Barre Civic Center and is the home of the Vermont Frost Heaves (semi-professional basketball team) • Significance : attracts yearly conventions of statewide organizations to Barre; has housed such events as athletics, big bands, concerts,
Barre Civic Center cont. • Significance cont. : plays, farm shows, social and political gatherings, and for many years, the Spaulding High School graduations • Culture : encourages local youth to be active in sports; local officials believed youth recreation programs would keep youth out of trouble • Experience : many different area groups are allowed to use the facility; can be used for
Barre Civic Center cont. • Experience cont. : many different activities (versatile); adequate parking/seating for large amounts of people; interior basketball is very spacious and nice to play on; basement has a drive-in doorway for entrance of heavy equipment and vehicles; has one of the best sound systems available for band/concerts; is capable of seating 1,538 people on its main floor and 435 in its basement
Barre Civic Center cont. • Experience cont. : can withstand the test of time since sports and the other activities it supports will continue to need its resources; it is in a suitable location being in the center of town, perched on a hill, and is built of lasting materials • Materials : built of steel, brick, and granite; simple, uncomplicated structure makes the building suitable for the many people who visit
Barre Civic Center cont. • Materials cont. : leaves a sense of community in those whom look at the exterior of the building
Residential Home • Location : Country Way development • Style : contemporary modular • Architect : Bill Blake Homes • Chronology : built in 2003, has same owners since it was built, used solely as a single family home, a deck was recently added to the outside of the house, owners want to add a garage onto the house in the future
Residential Home – cont. • Significance : provides living space for one of Barre’s residents • Culture : having houses on the outskirts of town allows the town to grow commercially by way of useful labor; Barre is committed to providing housing to the public • Experience : the house is in a nice, newly developed neigborhood; streets are well-kept, house is sized appropriately for a single family;
Residential Home – cont. • Experience cont. : equipped with modern amenities (carpeting, appliances, utilities); nice wide-open floor plan, central living area; built to current local building standards; could be sold quickly if owners ever want to sell it • Materials : vinyl siding will last a long time and won’t need much maintenance, interior finishes provide fire retardation (GWB)
Residential Home – cont. • Materials cont. : interior colors are bright/pleasing to look at; windows and doors have insulation qualities
Vermont History Center • Location : overlooking city of Barre • Style : Richardsonian Romanesque • Architect : Lambert Packard • Chronology : began as Barre Academy in 1852, school closed from 1885 to 1891, became school for both high school and younger students in 1892; renamed Spaulding High School in in 1895; new larger was constructed elsewhere in
