New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
On Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at 4:00pm, Mayor Jon Mitchell and hundreds of city workers will join together with city residents, current and former elected officials, and former city employees to commemorate 100 years of the classical revival building housing the seat of City government.
The building, completed in 1856, had housed the Free Public Library, and the current main library building was used as City Hall. The two buildings swapped functions decades later after a devastating fire ravaged the original City Hall. City Hall opened at its new location on July 3, 1912.
The July 3 “City Hall Centennial Celebration” will feature a photo display of City Hall through the decades, courtesy of Spinner Publications; performances of period and contemporary music; cake and refreshments; and, of course, rides on the historic elevator. In honor of both the Centennial and Independence Day, the building will be festooned in traditional red, white, and blue bunting, as it has in years past. The Mayor will also officially unveil new signs for the building as part of the celebration.
“Our City Hall is a special place,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell. “There aren’t a lot of cities in the Commonwealth and around the country where the seat of local government can boast such a rich history and real architectural significance. What we have is worth celebrating.”
The “City Hall Centennial Celebration” marks the mid-point of a busy week of summer fun downtown, with the Cape Verdean Recognition Parade marching down Union St. on Saturday, June 30; the July 4th concert and fireworks on Wednesday; and Greater New Bedford Summer Fest kicking off Friday, July 6 and wrapping up on Sunday, July 8.
For more information about the City Hall Centennial or any of the week’s events, call the Mayor’s Office at 508-979-1410.
