The former New Ipswich Town Hall building has been announced as one of the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance’s “2024 Seven to Save,” a list of vulnerable landmarks across the state.
The town has been seeking a solution for the building, which has not been in use for several years after issues with the foundation left it unsuitable for large gatherings and was closed in 2017. Before that, the building was already scarcely used, generally only being occupied once a year for the white elephant sale during the town’s annual Children’s Fair in August.
Work has been done on the building to add a second fire exit and repair the foundation sills and the floor, but since then, there has been cracking in the walls, said Selectman Jason Somero, who gave tours of the building during this year’s Children’s Fair.
“It needs a new architectural analysis of the building,” Somero said. “The walls are in a bad state.”
Somero said the Town Hall has been a topic of discussion among the town’s Heritage Commission for “over a decade,” but the task has ultimately been overwhelming. He said one of the main goals of working with the Preservation Alliance is to sort out assistance in fundraising and grant-writing and organize a list of priorities for the building. He said, ultimately, he’d like to see it back in public use, either for gatherings or private rentals.
“From my personal perspective, if the town owns a building, we should be using it,” Somero said. “This is going to bring some focus – that is our hope.”
The building was originally built in 1817 and once hosted town and school functions. In the past, it has been used for dances, basketball games and community events.
“We look for resources that tell stories about New Hampshire’s history, that are significant even if not obvious at first glance,” said Andrew Cushing, community preservation services manager for the Preservation Alliance. “We also look for opportunities… opportunities to share those stories, excite donors and volunteers and ultimately save the resource.”
Each year since 2006, the Alliance has highlighted landmarks around the state that are underused or threatened by neglect, insufficient funds or unsympathetic development. To date, more than 100 places have been listed in “Seven to Save,” with more than half saved. Owners and advocates for former listees have used the designation to help develop new solutions and secure new investments. Criteria for selection include historical significance, the imminence of threat and the potential impact of listing a site.
In addition to the New Ipswich Town Hall, this year’s “Seven to Save” include the Jackson Town Hall, the Libby Museum in Wolfeboro, the Concord Railroad Signal Tower, the Ashuelot Manufacturing Company Boarding House in Winchester and the Ham House in Jackson. The alliance is also highlighting Old Home Days, a New Hampshire tradition established in 1899 that was once hosted by more than 100 towns in the state and today is celebrated by fewer than 40.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.