This video tour will take you back in history through one of Biddeford’s most cherished landmarks. You will have the opportunity to experience very different perspectives including views from the rooftop as well as inside its iconic clock tower.
Biddeford became a city in 1855. In 1860, the city bought the land on the corner of Main and South Streets and erected a Napoleon III-style building complete with a mansard roof and an Opera House. This building burned down to the first floor in 1894. Architect John Calvin Stevens saved the first floor to cut costs and he greatly improved the utility and the appearance of the impressive building. [Description above taken from Museum in the Streets marker]
BIDDEFORD CITY HALL
INTERVIEW DETAILS
Date of Interview: February 2, 2024
Location: Biddeford City Hall, Biddeford, Maine
Tour Facilitator: Renée O’Neil
Interviewees: Paul Gagne, Brian Phinney and Tom Girard
Videographer/Transcriber: Nicole Morin-Scribner
SELECTED INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
- Layout of original building and current location of city operations
- Former tenants – from a bank and police station to many stores such as the Childrens’ Shoppe
- The advantage of built-in vaults through the years
- 2005 internal devastation due to a second floor water tank leak over a three day Memorial Day weekend.
- Review of renovations made over the years and extent of efforts to preserve original features
- Is there a “skylight” in the floor? Horsehair plaster?
- Honoring our community’s people: mayors’ portraits and the Biddeford Hall of Fame.
- You never know what you’ll come across, from a giant cash register to ledgers dating back over 100 years.
- Changes to the Council Chambers to meet ongoing needs including COVID
- Views from the roof of City Hall
- Join us INSIDE the Clock Tower to see the amazing renovations which restored utilization of this iconic feature serving Biddeford since the early 1900s
- Hear of plans for upcoming building renovations scheduled for 2024.