NATICK — A local group that hopes to revive a 6,000-square-foot Victorian-era concert hall held an open house on Thursday, June 26, to both inform the public about the downtown space and to raise money for an architectural feasibility study.
The simply named Friends of Concert Hall wants to restore the hall, a one-time cultural hot spot that's hidden in plain sight — it sits unused, and largely unknown, on the third floor of the downtown Clark's Block building.
Thursday's open house was its second in three months; a previous one was held on March 22.
“The whole goal is to bring this back to life," said Vincent Vittoria, president of the Friends. "Revive it, give it back to the people of Natick and the MetroWest area as a space that can serve everyone for arts and events, and just bringing people together in a way that supports Natick Center, MetroWest.
"It will be a really beautiful thing when it’s all done.”
Through donations at the open house, the hope is to raise the remaining $13,000 toward the $29,000 needed for a feasibility study. All restoration funding is coming from donations and philanthropies, Vittoria said.
Concert hall hosted Vice President Henry Wilson's wake
The concert hall opened in 1874 and quickly became the center of Natick’s cultural life, hosting galas, dances, concerts, graduation and various athletic events.
The space hosted the wake of Vice President Henry Wilson (the Natick resident served under Ulysses S. Grant) in November 1875. Thousands came to the concert hall to pay their respects.
But by the 1930s, many of Natick's larger events were held in the Natick Armory and use of the Clark's Block concert hall declined. It was left mainly untouched, other than the installation of an indoor tennis court in the 1970s.
After removing the stage, chandeliers and balcony, the space was converted into offices.
Building's new owner is behind restoration plans
Since Vittoria became involved with trying to restore the concert hall, two entities have purchased the building but didn't follow through with restoration plans.
Last summer, an entity called The Clark's Block, LLC, which has an address of 907 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, acquired the 43,000-square-foot building from Kensington Investment Company Inc. for $6 million. Vittoria said one of the new owners is involved with the Walnut Hill School for the Arts and a strong supporter of the arts.
Vittoria discovered the concert hall in 2012 when he moved to Natick and wanted to learn about its older buildings downtown. He said he found a newspaper article from 1880 that described the four halls in the building, including the concert hall, and eventually found someone who could show him the space.
“As soon as I stepped foot into the space and looked around, I felt like in my heart that I have to find a way to get this restored,” Vittoria said.
Those attending Thursday's open house received a handout outlining the concert hall's history, future restoration plans and a guide for touring the space. On display were fragments of the original three chandeliers, as well as renderings that showcased the vision for the hall’s restoration.
Attendees offer ideas for a restored concert hall
Guests were invited to share ideas for the space on sticky notes. Suggestions included weddings, seasonal markets, yoga classes, art shows, classical music performances, birthday parties, ballroom dancing, gaming conventions, theater performances and school events.
Many were impressed by the size and remaining preserved features of the space, including its large windows, high ceilings and original architectural details.
“It has a lot of potential," said one attendee, Peter Calapietro. "It is a beautifully big space and would be a benefit to the community.”
“It’s lovely. I can just picture it in its heyday, it must have been amazing,” added Jim Merullo.
Others were so inspired by what they saw they decided to volunteer with the Friends of Concert Hall. Lisa Sullivan joined after attending the March 22 open house.
“I think it will put a spotlight back on Natick as a center for culture, and who doesn’t want that?” she said.
Those involved with the Friends hope Thursday's open house can raise awareness for the space and the benefits it can provide Natick’s downtown.
“I just want to see it used and enjoyed again,” said Karen Goodman, vice president of the Friends. “The potential it has, it’s so sad just for it to be unused.”