How we can help
For Land records and ownership of property from previous years we suggest that you contact the town hall in Woodstock, who have a comprehensive account of all property and land ownership records of the area. Once you have historical names and locations of property, the society can help you research more information.
Research inquiries and appointments: Please email: welcome@centerforwoodstockhistory.com
Research inquiries and appointments: Please email: welcome@centerforwoodstockhistory.com
History of Palmer Memorial Hall
Located in a prominent location on Woodstock Hill, Palmer Hall Memorial is notable for its yellow brick exterior. The land was purchased in 1914 by Minnie Palmer Dean with the intent to build a memorial to her father and grandfather, Samuel and Hezekiah Palmer. Mrs. Dean spent $22,000 on the construction. The cornerstone is engraved “1915;” the building was completed in 1916.
Yellow brick facades are not common in Woodstock. The building’s square, symmetrical, classical style created a solid landmark in the midst of Woodstock Hill. Palladian windows and arched windows over the double doors provided an interior filled with natural light. Palmer Memorial Hall is notable for its sloping wood floor with 200 folding chairs arrange theater style. A raised presentation area, complete with backstage area, made it suitable for many types of performances.
When it was opened to the public on May 2, 1916, “Collins Van den Berg gave an illustrated lecture: ‘The Lure of the Colonial New England Period.’ Two weeks later Dr. Edward Howard of Boston spoke on ‘The World War and Ethics.’ In July and August 1923, six afternoon entertainments were given, manage by Mrs. Dean’s nephew, Philip R. Dean” (Bowen).
When Minnie died on June 6, 1925 she left the building to the Town of Woodstock in her will. At a town meeting, March 4, 1929, it was voted that “the moderator appoint a committee of three, one from each parish, to act with the Selectmen on the subject matter of article 2 in the warning and report at a future meeting…To see what action the Town will take in regard to providing a suitable and safe place for all Town records, and a place for Municipal business, and make appropriation therefor. “(essay by Helen Perley Cornell, “History of Woodstock’s Town Hall”). G. M. Sampson was made chairman of the group.
Chairman Sampson provided a verbal report at the Special Town Meeting held August 15, 1929. The group expressed some concerns that in its present state, the building would not be able to suitably accommodate land and probate records for the town. The Committee continued its work with new authority to build an addition to Palmer Memorial Hall “not to exceed $3,000 to be paid in yearly installments” (Cornell). A month later, it was voted to further authorize the committee to build a vault in the proposed addition to Palmer Memorial Hall. At the annual town meeting October 7, 1929, those attending authorized payment of the first installment of $1,000 for the addition. The new space was heated by a coal stove in one corner of the largest room. Access to toilet facilities required a person to go outside and then into the auditorium part of the building by the side door.
Over the years more improvements were made as the needs of the town grew. The old vault was removed and $2,000 was appropriated to construct a larger one in 1940. The size of the vault was confined to the existing space of the present building because the fire house was located very close by, just to the east. If one looks at the side of the Palmer Memorial Hall and its additions today, one can easily see the incremental growth over the 20th century. The office spaces in 1940 were improved with hot water heat, and a door was cut through the backstage of the Hall and steps added to give better access to toilet facilities.
The needs of the fire station were exceeding its present site. At a Special Town meeting on June 23, 1958, Gordon Brown brought forth this idea: that the fire station had need for a larger building, but so did the town offices. The offices could not be added onto because of the closeness of the fire station. Therefore, he moved that the Town should purchase the fire station owned by the Woodstock Volunteer Fire Association for $7,000. The motion carried. Arthur Weimann moved that the Town sell to the Woodstock Volunteer Fire Association, for the sum of $1.00, a tract of land on the corner of Route 169 and Frog Pond Rd. The Motion carried.
By the fall, a building committee to “secure complete plans, specifications ad bids for the construction” was authorized to assist the Selectmen. A total of $26,700 was voted to pay for the additions and alternations to the town hall. And so, the work of the town continued at the well-augmented Palmer Memorial Hall.
Three decades later, the Town had completely outgrown the complex. Staff referred to the space as the “menagerie;” residents trying to conduct business in the building found it to be like a rabbit warren. Stories abounded of the quirks of the building – mice found in the vault, toilets that overflowed and set off the fire alarm, birds and squirrels in the walls. A cornfield near the Woodstock Volunteer Fire Association building was chosen for a new building. The present Town Hall was constructed, starting with the ground breaking on March 27, 1989, and dedication on June 10, 1990.
The Palmer Memorial Hall complex was given to the Woodstock Historical Society for $1.00. It serves as a home for items associated with Woodstock’s history, and provides exhibit space and public program venues. The site also provides parking and an entry point for the Palmer Arboretum, another gift of the Palmer family.
Written by Charlene Perkins Cutler
Yellow brick facades are not common in Woodstock. The building’s square, symmetrical, classical style created a solid landmark in the midst of Woodstock Hill. Palladian windows and arched windows over the double doors provided an interior filled with natural light. Palmer Memorial Hall is notable for its sloping wood floor with 200 folding chairs arrange theater style. A raised presentation area, complete with backstage area, made it suitable for many types of performances.
When it was opened to the public on May 2, 1916, “Collins Van den Berg gave an illustrated lecture: ‘The Lure of the Colonial New England Period.’ Two weeks later Dr. Edward Howard of Boston spoke on ‘The World War and Ethics.’ In July and August 1923, six afternoon entertainments were given, manage by Mrs. Dean’s nephew, Philip R. Dean” (Bowen).
When Minnie died on June 6, 1925 she left the building to the Town of Woodstock in her will. At a town meeting, March 4, 1929, it was voted that “the moderator appoint a committee of three, one from each parish, to act with the Selectmen on the subject matter of article 2 in the warning and report at a future meeting…To see what action the Town will take in regard to providing a suitable and safe place for all Town records, and a place for Municipal business, and make appropriation therefor. “(essay by Helen Perley Cornell, “History of Woodstock’s Town Hall”). G. M. Sampson was made chairman of the group.
Chairman Sampson provided a verbal report at the Special Town Meeting held August 15, 1929. The group expressed some concerns that in its present state, the building would not be able to suitably accommodate land and probate records for the town. The Committee continued its work with new authority to build an addition to Palmer Memorial Hall “not to exceed $3,000 to be paid in yearly installments” (Cornell). A month later, it was voted to further authorize the committee to build a vault in the proposed addition to Palmer Memorial Hall. At the annual town meeting October 7, 1929, those attending authorized payment of the first installment of $1,000 for the addition. The new space was heated by a coal stove in one corner of the largest room. Access to toilet facilities required a person to go outside and then into the auditorium part of the building by the side door.
Over the years more improvements were made as the needs of the town grew. The old vault was removed and $2,000 was appropriated to construct a larger one in 1940. The size of the vault was confined to the existing space of the present building because the fire house was located very close by, just to the east. If one looks at the side of the Palmer Memorial Hall and its additions today, one can easily see the incremental growth over the 20th century. The office spaces in 1940 were improved with hot water heat, and a door was cut through the backstage of the Hall and steps added to give better access to toilet facilities.
The needs of the fire station were exceeding its present site. At a Special Town meeting on June 23, 1958, Gordon Brown brought forth this idea: that the fire station had need for a larger building, but so did the town offices. The offices could not be added onto because of the closeness of the fire station. Therefore, he moved that the Town should purchase the fire station owned by the Woodstock Volunteer Fire Association for $7,000. The motion carried. Arthur Weimann moved that the Town sell to the Woodstock Volunteer Fire Association, for the sum of $1.00, a tract of land on the corner of Route 169 and Frog Pond Rd. The Motion carried.
By the fall, a building committee to “secure complete plans, specifications ad bids for the construction” was authorized to assist the Selectmen. A total of $26,700 was voted to pay for the additions and alternations to the town hall. And so, the work of the town continued at the well-augmented Palmer Memorial Hall.
Three decades later, the Town had completely outgrown the complex. Staff referred to the space as the “menagerie;” residents trying to conduct business in the building found it to be like a rabbit warren. Stories abounded of the quirks of the building – mice found in the vault, toilets that overflowed and set off the fire alarm, birds and squirrels in the walls. A cornfield near the Woodstock Volunteer Fire Association building was chosen for a new building. The present Town Hall was constructed, starting with the ground breaking on March 27, 1989, and dedication on June 10, 1990.
The Palmer Memorial Hall complex was given to the Woodstock Historical Society for $1.00. It serves as a home for items associated with Woodstock’s history, and provides exhibit space and public program venues. The site also provides parking and an entry point for the Palmer Arboretum, another gift of the Palmer family.
Written by Charlene Perkins Cutler