For the People

Renovations of old City Hall are almost complete.  Quincy residents can be proud to have this beautifully appointed space as our seat of government for many years to come.

Restoration Almost Complete

The exterior granite of Quincy's Old City Hall (1844) has been cleaned and fitted with energy efficient windows and doors.  Workers inside are adding the finishing touches to this project that was started in 2013 and will open to the general public soon.

Historic Rehab

Quincy's historic City Hall is in the middle of an $8 million renovation project.  It is expected to be completed by January, 2015.  You can see older springtime posts HERE.

Snowy Hall

Quincy City Hall looks like a winter wonderland in the snow.

Restoration Work

Restoration work  has begun in and around Quincy's old City Hall building.  Built in 1844, this is perhaps one of the oldest city halls in America. 

Spring Reflections

Spring is beautifully reflected in the panes of glass at Quincy City Hall.  Happy Skywatch Friday!

Flags & Flowers

Amid the glorious cherry blossoms at City Hall Plaza, flags were lowered to half-staff yesterday, in memory of the victims of the bombings in Boston during the running of the marathon this past Monday. 

Quincy's Classic

The absence of cars and use of black and white gives this wintry view of Old City Hall a timeless quality.  More snow is forecast for tomorrow . . . winter seems never ending this year.

Classic Greek

Quincy's City Hall was built in the 1840s in the classic Greek Revival style.  It was built with Quincy granite by master stone workers.  You can see a close-up of one ionic column here.  The crumbling interior  is finally being renovated.  It is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Happy Skywatch Friday!

Granite Gem

This beautiful detail is attributed to the master stone cutters responsible for designing and constructing Quincy's City Hall in the mid-1800s. The granite came from Quincy's quarries and has lasted more than 150 years. The building's exterior surface is weathering better then the interior. Money is needed to update and make necessary repairs to the inside of this outstanding historical structure.

Happy Monochrome Monday!

Book & Bloomin' Blossoms

The cherry blossoms have bloomed early at City Hall Plaza. I have shared two versions: straight shot and "palette" play added. Which do you like better? I think the reader on the bench really completes the picture.

A New Angle

The lines and glass surface of Quincy City Hall lend themselves to monochrome here. I like the way the Church of the Presidents tower across Hancock Street is reflected upside down here. 

This is my contribution to Aileni's Monochrome Maniac Monday group. Click here to see more black and white images from around the world.

In Session

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This is the City Council Chamber, inside City Hall, where formal government sessions happen in Quincy. This is a very recent session of the school committee in which the superintendent is making a budget presentation to the public. Eight people comprise our school committee; one is always the mayor, one is always the superintendent of schools and 6 people are elected by the voting public.

The economic crisis is impacting the schools here. The budget proposed at this meeting would eliminate 5 middle school library and foreign language programs in those schools. Many teachers will be receiving their lay-off notices soon. It would also do away with the school system's printing shop. Apparently President Obama's stimulus package isn't quite enough to keep these educational necessities in place. We'll see. Quincy has 19 schools and a student enrollment of 9,000 students.

What's happening to the schools in your part of the world?

December Theme Day: "Sphere"

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This shining sphere of Quincy granite, 'The Gazing ball', is located in Constitution Common outside City Hall and is a reminder that the famous Quincy stone was once one of the world's most cherished building materials. It was created in 1925, as part of the city's tercentenary celebration. You can see the gold domed steeple of the Church of the Presidents reflected in the background.

Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams are buried there.
Enjoy looking at other daily photo blogger's interpretation of this month's theme, sphere.
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

City Hall

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City Hall Plaza in its autumn glory is seen here in the reflective glass of the newer wing of Quincy City Hall. That is Hancock Street in the background.

City Hall - Old and New

City Hall, old and new.

Old City Hall

Completed in 1844 at a cost of $19,115.93, including 0.88 cents to seal the chimney with lead. The architect was Solomon Willard, known also for designing the Bunker Hill Monument in Boston.

City Hall

New City Hall, a three and a half story reflective glass building was built behind Old City Hall in 1979 at a cost of $2 million. In front of the City Hall is a large granite ball, which denotes Quincy's history as a major granite supplier in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Reflected in the building is the steeple of the United First Parish Church, informally known as Church of the Presidents because both John Adams and his son, John Quincy Adams are buried there.