As anyone who’s ever flipped through WellesleyWeston Magazine knows, Wellesley doesn’t mess around when it comes to interior decorating.
So it should come as no surprise that a 16-person working group was assembled last year to figure out the best way to display art, documents, and other historic mementos within the confines of Town Hall. The 1880s building reopened to the public last year after nearly two years of interior renovation, including accessibility improvements.
Select Board member Beth Sullivan Woods at the Feb. 24 Select Board meeting (see Wellesley Media recording about 10 minutes in) shared an update from the Town Hall Art Working Group.
Some pieces being considered were in town hall before its renovation, and others—like an antique cash register and Lily Pulitzer scarf depicting town buildings—are new finds or donations.
The working group is looking to come up with a consistent approach to framing, and is sorting through what to do about items that don’t make the cut—display spaces are limited in light of there being more glass surfaces on conference rooms, etc.
“It will be important to balance adornment with celebration,” Sullivan Woods said, adding that one goal is to elevate people’s experience in the building but not interfere with it.
The group has also been charged with taking into consideration how to support town communications efforts in Town Hall.
Sullivan Woods said the expectation is that costs associated with this effort will be relatively low, and the hope is that they could be covered through the remaining Town Hall budget.
Official decisions remain to be made, but the general idea is that the first floor that most visitors see will showcase the bulk of the art. This will be intended to educate and welcome. The west entrance could be a sort of rotating exhibit space. The second floor, which is all business, would likely feature more muted displays and fewer pieces overall.
Items to be displayed include depictions of Town Hall itself (many to choose from), portraits of past leaders, maps, awards, and historical documents. The Wellesley Historical Society is one natural partner for the town on this effort.
Challenges include not wanting to punch holes into restored or new wall surfaces. Among the questions remaining is whether to include an electronic monitor in the lobby to highlight meetings and events, as the wiring for this could be problematic.
Some signature pieces, like the weights and measures, are already on display. Expect the building’s interior to come alive with more art and artifacts as this year goes along.
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