The pictures above show the library when it was located in the town hall. It was there until the Bancroft Memorial Library opened in 1899.
The pictures above all show the town hall with a decorative iron-work grating on the roof. In the one below, taken in 1919, it’s gone. It was almost certainly taken down and contributed to the scrap iron collections that were being done during World War I. The picture below shows the town hall decorated for an event to welcome home the servicemen who had served during the war. To the right of the town hall, you can see the honor roll that had been placed there with their names on it.
Below are just a few of the hundreds of articles that appeared in the Milford newspapers over the years for various functions held at the town hall.
Norm Handley, shown above, opened the Town Hall Spa in 1940, and there has been a restaurant there since then. Click on the picture to go to a page of Norm’s son’s memories of the Spa.
The post office was located in the town hall from 1912 until 1964. In that year, it moved to the building next to the town hall, where it is now. Click on picture to go to a history of the Hopedale Post Office.
- Hopedale Town Hall, built in 1886, is being sold due to the prohibitive $20 million cost of renovations and ADA compliance.
- Town officials are seeking proposals for redevelopment that preserve the building’s historical character while benefiting the community.
- Town offices will move to 54 Hopedale St. in October.
The 19th century Hopedale Town Hall building is on the block.
Facing an estimated $20 million bill to renovate the structure and get it in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, town officials have instead authorized it for sale and put out a request for proposals due Sept 1.
Voters approved the plan back in May during annual Town Meeting.
“We wanted a blank slate,” Town Administrator Mitch Riscitti told the Daily News. “It’s a unique building for prospective buyers to come in and take a look at and present their vision to the town. From there, look at what is most beneficial, given the downtown proximity to everything.”
Redevelopment options could include mixed-use housing and commercial space, the town administrator said.
‘Small-town feel here’: Mitch Ruscitti picked to become Hopedale’s town administrator
Town officials want the building redeveloped in a way that preserves its historic nature and serves the community in the most effective way. Ruscitti said the town’s priority is finding projects that contribute the most to the downtown community.
Town offices will be relocated in October to suites at 54 Hopedale St.
Town Hall deemed ‘no longer suitable’ for work, meeting space
Hopedale Town Hall, at 78 Hopedale St., was built in 1886 with the financial support of George Draper, a local textile manufacturing magnate. The building was constructed using Milford granite and brownstone trim, and officially opened in 1887.
In 2011, a proposal for comprehensive renovation work was rejected at Town Meeting, as was a proposal to relocate town offices to Adin Street.
More than a decade later, the building was determined to be no longer suitable for town employees or public use.
“The town is committed to providing a safe work environment and meeting space for both employees and the public,” Ruscitti said in a press released issued on July 17. “In meeting with the health director and building commissioner, it became apparent that the building was no longer suitable for those purposes.”
‘Town had no money’: Hopedale approves $1.35 million override to balance town budget
In the press release, Ruscitti said renovating Town Hall to meet modern and ADA standards would cost an estimated $20 million. The building’s age has led to significant infrastructure issues, including the HVAC system, environmental concerns such as asbestos, lack of heat and plumbing problems.
Ruscitti noted the town is “not in a financial position” to make such repairs, and is instead prioritizing infrastructure projects that serve larger numbers of people, such as schools. Hopedale, with a small tax base, has struggled with municipal finances in recent years. Two years ago, a $1.35 million override was needed to keep its library and senior center open.
Beyond Full planning to relocate
Beyond Full, a popular cafe and diner, has operated its business at Town Hall since 2019, and will be forced to move after the building changes hands.
Edward Cerow, the restaurant’s general manager and head chef, said plans are to relocate to a larger space. Cerow, who grew up in Hopedale, added that might mean a temporary closure, which will hurt business.
“At the end of the day we’re going to make it work,” he said. “Hopefully, it will be a good thing and we can get a bigger location with more business. It’s a Hopedale icon (Town Hall) for sure. After we heard they were selling it, I was definitely heartbroken, because it has been such a staple.
Ruscitti said that while a new Town Hall building would certainly be beneficial, it’s not part of the immediate plans due to the town’s small staff and the lack of an urgent need. Town offices will remain in the current building until October.
Above – Beyond Full, the last restaurant at the Town Hall. Click here to see a page with more articles about the sale of the Town Hall.
The Hopedale Town Hall was built by George Draper in 1887, the year after Hopedale separated from Milford.
In addition to town meetings, the town hall served for many other uses. High school basketball was played there until the Draper Gym opened. High school plays, usually to raise money for the annual Washington trip, plays performed by various other groups, musical performances, and minstrel shows were held there. On the first floor, there was a dentist office, a barber shop, the post office, and, until the building was closed in 2025, a restaurant.
For many years the police station was in the basement on the Depot Street side. I hope in time a few photos may turn up showing some of these activities.