"Altogether a creditable building" boasted a local newspaper when Lowell's Memorial Building opened in 1893. The structure was a handsome Richardsonian Romanesque structure, dedicated to the Civil War dead of Lowell. The Memorial Building housed the public library and a large public assembly hall. A disastrous fire in 1915 nearly destroyed this beautiful building, and left the Memorial Hall a blackened ruin. Immediately the city began to rebuild. Frederick W. Stickney, architect of the original structure, planned the reconstruction of Memorial Hall. The budget of $62,927 for the entire building did not permit the restoration of the elaborate coved ceiling, carved oak wainscoting, and massive chandelier of the original hall. Instead a more modest, and modern, design was chosen. The eight original leaded glass commemorative windows were reproduced, at a cost of $1,475. But instead of carved wood, the walls were stenciled and huge murals were installed. Marble and bronze memorial plaques were restored, adding the names of those Lowell men sacrificed in the Spanish-American War. The Hall's major new embellishments, its three Civil War murals were a bargain. They depict three important experiences in the Civil War career of General U.S. Grant, and were painted by French-born artist Paul Phillipoteaux. Phillipoteaux is best known for his painting of the Cyclorama of Gettysburg, now permanently housed at the Gettysburg National Battlefield. The Memorial Hall canvases were painted for traveling carnival display and were purchased by the City of Lowell for a mere $1,500 from the Griffin Amusement Company.
Nick Artimovich
Columbia, MD (native of Massachusetts, however)