Happy Fourth of July! Fireworks, parades and the good old red, white, and blue-themed activities may be your go-to for the day, but let’s rewind it back a few centuries and take a look at where independence in Marblehead began.
Located in Market Square at the intersection of Washington and State streets, the Old Town House was constructed in 1727. Flying above the rigid, symmetrical Georgian-style structure, trimmed in white, is the American flag — making the building an altogether impressive sight among others in the Marblehead Historic District.
The Old Town House is renowned for its use during the pre-Revolutionary War era. According to the Marblehead Historical Commission, the building is often referred to as “Marblehead’s Cradle of Liberty,” as political leaders of the time used the building for meetings that laid down the foundational bricks of what resulted in the colonies’ eventual separation from the British monarchy.
According to the Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, the Marblehead Town House is one of the oldest public buildings in the country and is a National Historic Register building.
Built in the early half of the 18th century, the upper level was used for town hall meetings, while the lower level was a public market. Later, the lower level was transformed into the town’s police station from the mid-19th to mid-20th centuries.
Currently, the lower level is the Police Museum, while the upper level houses the Civil War and Grand Army of the Republic Museum. In fact, according to the Marblehead Museum, the Army of the Republic Meeting Room was on the second floor of the Old Town House from 1888 until the last veteran passed away.
Surrounding the Old Town House in the Town Square are other historical buildings worth visiting, including the Jeremiah Lee Mansion and Garden and the J.O.J. Frost Gallery. So if you’re feeling up for (very long) trip down history lane, the Old Town House is a great place to start exploring Marblehead’s historical development — from the day our country won its independence, to today.