Barre's Old Labor Hall

The Socialist Labor Party Hall was completed in 1900 by members of Barre's Italian community.  They were initially allied with the Socialist Labor Party but later affiliated with the Industrial Workers of the World and the Federation of Italian Socialists.  At the dedication ceremony in November Camillo Cianferra reported in his New York City Socialist newspaper, Il Proletario:

The Italian Socialist Section of Barre has built a Hall for the grand sum of $7,000...and the Hall now stands on Granite Street, a superb synthesis of and demonstration of the collective effort of the workers joined and guided by the light of an idea like ours.

     The brick building on Granite Street was the social center for the "Italian Colony" for almost forty years.  In addition to meetings, speeches, and rallies there were dances and celebrations.  But as the influence of the Socialists waned so did support for the facility and it was sold at auction to a fruit wholesaler.  Finally, a local bank foreclosed on the building's most recent occupant, a tomato packing company. 

     Rescued from the wrecker's ball in 1994 by a reconstituted Barre Historical Society, the Hall now serves as Society headquarters as well as a venue for many of the functions it hosted in years past.  Weddings, fundraisers, dances, political debates, and parties once again fill the Hall with speeches and laughter.

     Since its opening in 1900 the Hall has been witness to events of local and international significance.  In the early years it served many purposes, hosting social and political meetings as well as housing a cooperative store and bakery.  But it also played a part in events of historical importance.

     In 1903, the betrayal of internationally known anarchist, Luigi Galleani who was living in Barre, instigated a violent confrontation that resulted in the tragic death of one of the city's greatest stone carvers, Elia Corti.  Corti was shot just inside the front entrance of the Hall.

     Less than a decade later, the Hall received children from Lawrence, Massachusetts who were sent to Barre to protect them from the discord that ensued during the historic Bread and Roses Strike.  A famous photograph shows the children on the steps of the Hall shortly after their arrival.

   Today the Hall is used as it was 100 years ago - a venue for all kinds of gatherings in Barre.