33 Central Street, Memorial Hall (1921)

In May 1921, Monty and Abby Philipp conveyed the land on which the Memorial Building was later built to the Town of Ipswich, stating “upon express conditions that the inhabitants of Ipswich aforesaid shall build upon said parcel of land a Memorial Town Hall to the men of the Army and Navy.” The Memorial Building was constructed in memory of Ipswich Veterans of all wars, for $52,000. The names of Veterans of World War I were inscribed on bronze plaques mounted near the front entrance.

Memorial Hall being constructed in 1921. Photo by George Dexter

The 1921 Town Report indicates $40,000 was appropriated to construct the Memorial Building and that the Boston-based firm of Andrews, Rantoul, and Jones was paid $1973.83 for their services to design and oversee its construction. Connolly Brothers and E. A. Abbot Company were the primary contractors.

Memorial Hall was used to house two 6th-grade classes (52 pupils) from 1969-1971 and as an office facility for the Pupil Personnel department from 1974-1980. Other uses including as an office by both Jim Daley and Betty Dorman while they were Recreation Directors, and for many Teen Club meetings and events.

The long stairs to reach the building from Central Street became problematic as towns needed to make their facilities handicapped accessible. The stairs were removed, and a stone wall was erected along Central Street. The town sold the building to Memorial Hall Housing Inc., a non-profit corporation, in 2003. HOME funds were used to partially fund the renovation of Memorial Hall into affordable elderly housing.