The Venue
Mechanics Hall
321 Main Street
Worcester MA 01608
Mechanics Hall - an acoustical masterpiece - is internationally regarded as one of the world's great concert halls for its superb acoustics and inspirational beauty.
History
In 1857, the Worcester County Mechanics Association followed the advice of wire industrialist Ichabod Washburn to hire Elbridge Boyden to design and construct a new building. When it was finished, Mechanics Hall represented the state-of-the-art in mechanical systems and construction techniques. The skill and ingenuity of the artisans and tradesmen of Worcester County, including their work on Mechanics Hall, defined them as the founders of America's Industrial Revolution.
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During the mid-20th Century, misuse and neglect of the interior took a serious toll on the health of the Hall, but, when the Association was forced to decide between tearing it down or revitalizing it, the entire city rallied, raising $5 million to restore the Hall, and the doors re-opened to cultural and community events in 1977.
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Mechanics Hall has been judged by architectural historians as the nation's finest pre-Civil War concert hall. For more than 160 years, the Hall has been the cultural cornerstone of Central Massachusetts. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is a not-for-profit 501 (c ) 3 organization owned and operated by the Worcester County Mechanics Association (est. 1842).
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Mission of the Hall
To serve the community by offering Mechanics Hall as the gathering place for experiences that inspire, enrich, and enlighten generations.
Image courtesy of New York Public Library