Historic City Hall
I spent a good part of my weekend at City Hall. This beautiful building was rededicated last December while my blog was incommunicado, but it still merits a mention.
Originally built in 1903, City Hall lost much of its structural integrity as it weathered the century. Several remodels weakened it further by painting or paneling over windows, partitioning the great hall upstairs into tiny cubicles with low ceilings, or -- that cardinal of all sins -- paneling the Council chambers in wood laminate.
Fortunately, Carl Wanlass, previous City administrator, found a loophole in State law which would allow the City to restore the building with RDA funding, so long as the building could be put to use for arts or recreation. A task force was formed and the City determined it could make a very fine, dual home for Council chambers and the Arts Council. The task force, led by present Chief of Staff Melanie Marsh, then set out to halt the building's deterioration and re-establish the historic grandeur of the building.
The task force engaged the services of Cooper Roberts Simonsen, an architectural firm which specializes in historic preservation. There were many noteable adventures which were chronicled in the Deseret News last July -- adventures such as discovering, then recreating the ornate, pressed tin ceiling tiles, or finding the tin filial of the original bell tower hidden in the attic.
The restoration's success is evident to all who use the building now. The building is aesthetically magnificent and historically sound, and commands the dignity that is appropriate for official City business or for great artistic performances.
The City Council and Planning Commission hold their public meetings in the Council chambers on the second floor. When not in use for City business, the chambers can be rented for private weddings and receptions, but mostly they are put to good use by the Arts Council.
Which brings us to my weekend. On Friday and Saturday nights, acting in one of my alter-egos, I was a piano accompanist for Sacred Voice 2007 -- a competition, not of vocalists, but of the composers of sacred art songs. The music was glorious, and the setting was equally magnificent. As a recital hall, this building is a gem.
On Saturday afternoon, I was pleased to return for a reception for Mary Ann Judd Johnson. Ms. Johnson's evocative watercolor renderings of American Fork historic homes, buildings, rural scenes and natural foliage are on display at City Hall now through June 8. I believe everybody who ever lived, worked, or watered a horse in one of these settings was there Saturday, thanks to the diligent work of Sydney Reynolds and the Visual Arts Board.
Framed and hung throughout the building, gallery fashion, the 37 watercolors paint a vivid picture of American Fork's past. For years, I've been listening to Juel Belmont, Chair of the Historic Preservation committee, talk about what American Fork used to be -- but, in all my drives about town, I could never see what Juel described. Now, thanks to Ms. Johnson's beautiful work, I have a cherished mental image of American Fork's idyllic past.
The Arts Council keeps the building humming most of the week. The Council Chambers are used by the Toastmasters of American Fork and for rehearsals of the Timpanogos Chorale and the American Fork Children's Choir. Classes in subjects like figure drawing, water and oil painting, and sculpture are taught downstairs. Also located here is the Arts Council's main office, whose restored, 1903 safe (now used for office storage) is worth a visit all by itself.
In short, the restoration is a beauty to behold. If you haven't taken the occasion to visit City Hall since December, please do. It's usually open during the day -- but you can also visit during a meeting of the City Council any second or fourth Tuesday, beginning at 7:30 p.m. (Please be sure, if you do this, to tell us during the public comment period how much you like it!)
Originally built in 1903, City Hall lost much of its structural integrity as it weathered the century. Several remodels weakened it further by painting or paneling over windows, partitioning the great hall upstairs into tiny cubicles with low ceilings, or -- that cardinal of all sins -- paneling the Council chambers in wood laminate.
Fortunately, Carl Wanlass, previous City administrator, found a loophole in State law which would allow the City to restore the building with RDA funding, so long as the building could be put to use for arts or recreation. A task force was formed and the City determined it could make a very fine, dual home for Council chambers and the Arts Council. The task force, led by present Chief of Staff Melanie Marsh, then set out to halt the building's deterioration and re-establish the historic grandeur of the building.
The task force engaged the services of Cooper Roberts Simonsen, an architectural firm which specializes in historic preservation. There were many noteable adventures which were chronicled in the Deseret News last July -- adventures such as discovering, then recreating the ornate, pressed tin ceiling tiles, or finding the tin filial of the original bell tower hidden in the attic.
The restoration's success is evident to all who use the building now. The building is aesthetically magnificent and historically sound, and commands the dignity that is appropriate for official City business or for great artistic performances.
The City Council and Planning Commission hold their public meetings in the Council chambers on the second floor. When not in use for City business, the chambers can be rented for private weddings and receptions, but mostly they are put to good use by the Arts Council.
Which brings us to my weekend. On Friday and Saturday nights, acting in one of my alter-egos, I was a piano accompanist for Sacred Voice 2007 -- a competition, not of vocalists, but of the composers of sacred art songs. The music was glorious, and the setting was equally magnificent. As a recital hall, this building is a gem.
On Saturday afternoon, I was pleased to return for a reception for Mary Ann Judd Johnson. Ms. Johnson's evocative watercolor renderings of American Fork historic homes, buildings, rural scenes and natural foliage are on display at City Hall now through June 8. I believe everybody who ever lived, worked, or watered a horse in one of these settings was there Saturday, thanks to the diligent work of Sydney Reynolds and the Visual Arts Board.
Framed and hung throughout the building, gallery fashion, the 37 watercolors paint a vivid picture of American Fork's past. For years, I've been listening to Juel Belmont, Chair of the Historic Preservation committee, talk about what American Fork used to be -- but, in all my drives about town, I could never see what Juel described. Now, thanks to Ms. Johnson's beautiful work, I have a cherished mental image of American Fork's idyllic past.
The Arts Council keeps the building humming most of the week. The Council Chambers are used by the Toastmasters of American Fork and for rehearsals of the Timpanogos Chorale and the American Fork Children's Choir. Classes in subjects like figure drawing, water and oil painting, and sculpture are taught downstairs. Also located here is the Arts Council's main office, whose restored, 1903 safe (now used for office storage) is worth a visit all by itself.
In short, the restoration is a beauty to behold. If you haven't taken the occasion to visit City Hall since December, please do. It's usually open during the day -- but you can also visit during a meeting of the City Council any second or fourth Tuesday, beginning at 7:30 p.m. (Please be sure, if you do this, to tell us during the public comment period how much you like it!)
posted by Heidi Rodeback at 3:37 PM
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