Building & Town’s History Intertwined—

Edmond Town Hall Is Filled With ‘Little Mysteries’ Of Newtown’s Past

By Kendra Bobowick

Both a legacy and keeper of small secrets, the Edmond Town Hall is haunted with clues to the town’s past. Its walls literally tell the story of Newtown’s beginnings, while innocent details — engraved silverware, for one — whisper about long-forgotten touches of class.

Behind the $2 movies and popcorn crumbs leading to a teenager’s seat is one “Mysterious” Mary Hawley, as described in historian Daniel Cruson’s book, Mary Elizabeth Hawley. A long-ago resident and benefactor to Newtown, she donated the Edmond Town Hall, named for her great-grandfather, Judge William Edmond.

Mr Cruson offers one explanation for the town hall’s dedication, saying, “[Ms Hawley] never met [Judge Edmond] but she had heard a lot about him and she had an interest in him.” Mr Cruson explained that family stories of Judge Edmond kept her intrigued.

She was right with her judgment to name a building in his honor.

“He was the one who made Newtown what it was,” said Mr Cruson. “Edmond was a truly fascinating man and no one more deserved to be celebrated.”

Judge Edmond was a Yale graduate who practiced law, a man who fought in the Revolutionary War (1777), and who “dispensed legal advice for free,” in Newtown for several discernable reasons, said Mr Cruson.

First, he believed that Judge Edmond (1755–1838) was, “comfortably well off and felt it his obligation to contribute as a member of the community.” Assessing Judge Edmond and recounting his achievements, Mr Cruson continued, “We could use a few more guys like him.”

In addition to the Edmond Town Hall and remembrance to her great-grandfather, Ms Hawley also established an accompanying trust fund for the building. During her lifetime construction began on the Edmond Town Hall. She placed the cornerstone as the foundation took shape, but never saw completion. She died in 1929. The construction was completed in 1930. Mr Cruson has compiled the chronicles of Ms Hawley and her family, which are now available in the Cyrenius H. Booth Library, named after her grandfather.

Caught on Film

More recent events have opened doors to both the town hall and therefore Newtown’s past told through the Booths, Hawleys, and Judge Edmond. Rolls of film and negatives provide a trail of clues leading all the way to the town hall’s namesake, Judge William Edmond. Specifically, the film depicts Edmond Town Hall’s construction.

Also of interest is the story behind the film.

Board member Sandra Motyka and others piece together their perspectives, and all arrive at former Board of Managers member Edgar Beers.

Ms Motyka indicated that Mr Beers knew the man who shot the rolls, and at some point, Mr Beers gave the board “a sizable donation to preserve those images, that was his legacy.”

Revealing another small curiosity, neither Ms Motyka nor anyone else could point directly to how the film worked its way from 1930 to the present. Ms Motyka said, “I am not quite sure where [the negatives] came from or where they are now,” however, “the archival images are now in town hall and were on display,” she said. The original negatives had been “preserved” as Mr Beers had hoped, and those archival images of which Ms Motyka speaks are in the town hall.

Telling a similar versions of this story, Mr Gill said, “[Mr Beers] was privy to pictures of the building being built, and he donated a substantial amount of money to have the photos restored.”

Mr Beers could not be reached for comment in time for publication. He served the Board of Managers for more than 20 years.

For this and other reasons, Ms Motyka stressed, “This building is full of history.” She said, “You’ll want to notice the Mary Hawley Room,” displaying portraits of Mary Hawley, Judge Edmond, and his wife, she said.

A nostalgic story also surrounds the portrait of Mary Hawley, as Mr Cruson tells it.

Offering a last piece of background for context, he explained that Mary Hawley had also donated the Hawley school in memory of her parents, which was already open as of 1921. Edmond Town Hall construction was underway “by the time she had died,” Mr Cruson said. “The building opened later. Most of the school children pooled their pennies and small change together to have her portrait done.”

He continued, “Virtually every kid did what he could to raise money, and they made enough.”

Hinting at another small mystery, he said, “I don’t know if the artist received a reduced commission,” he said. Nonetheless, the students, “wanted to do something for her.”

Beneath the Surface

The Edmond Town Hall is now tenderly cared for by a few, including Clark Kathan, town hall superintendent. The same few are aware of local history’s intricacies evident in Edmond Town Hall, linking early residents’ lives with today.

Mr Gill walked with Mr Kathan through the historic building’s labyrinth of hallways, alcoves, and backstage hideaways. Both men pointed out historic material, artwork, and offered stories revealing the building’s history, which is interwoven with Newtown’s early days — a life traveled on dirt roads using horse-and-buggy transportation.

The police station, courts, jail holding cells, theater, a bowling alley, assessor’s office, etc, all fit inside its doors.

“For ten cents you could duckpin bowl,” said Mr Gill. “It was great for a Saturday afternoon. You could come down here, watch a matinee and then go bowling.”

The original traffic court, courthouse, jail, post office, original police station, and other offices have shifted spaces over the years to accommodate growth. Town Hall South had been put into use. The police, for one, had been moved down the street to the facility on the corner of Main Street and Route 302. Today, the town again is straining its office space. The town clerk’s office, for example, is cramped, along with other departments, said Mr Gill.

Soon, as the town and its services outgrow facilities, the Fairfield Hills Master Plan will absorb some or all of town offices as existing structures on the Fairfield Hills campus are renovated, or new ones built.

Regardless of coming changes and location for the town hall, both Mr Gill and Mr Cruson agree that the Edmond Town Hall, “is the centerpiece of town.”

Although Mr Cruson conceded that, “Yes, we need more room,” he also said, “I want to see [town hall] remain in the center of town.”

Yet some spaces within Edmond Town Hall can no longer be of help to the public, as they were intended. Time, along with safety and health codes, has caught up with the older appliances and kitchen facilities in the kitchen/pantry off the Alexandria room. Mr Kathan and Mr Gill want to see that area improved and again used to potential.

One detail remains uncompromised by time; more than 100 sets of silverware are engraved with the Edmond Town Hall’s name.

Hidden treasures also extend beyond the history, and are evident on the walls, for example.

Adding another layer of interest are the three pianos, a grand, baby grand, and upright, which is in need of tuning, said Mr Kathan. Like many other aspects of Edmond Town Hall, the story behind the pianos is covered by the years like old layers of paint. Mr Kathan said, “I am not sure how they got here, but they have been here since day one.”

Murals reveal the town’s history, notable figures, general assembly members, and line of selectmen. For roughly two years David Merrill completed the pictorial, floor-to-ceiling paintings covering the stairwells and landings in the town hall. Listed there are the names of “notables” who spent time in Newtown, including Antonio Fargas, from Starsky & Hutch, toy maker Jim Makowicki, and others.

Mr Gill said that actress Meg Ryan, from Bethel, spent time in the theater. Thinking of Meg Ryan and other now famous figures, he said, “When they came to this town they were treated like anyone else.”

For those who made a home here, he said, “They probably argued with the tax collector just like everyone else, and stood in line for dog licenses just like everyone else,” he said.

Quietly, he inspected the room downstairs where the floor revealed the old bowling surface and said, “We want to keep this facility open for people to enjoy.”