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New Britain

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Russell & Erwin Building, 27 West Main Street, New Britain, Hartford County, CT



B&W Photos

HB254712
Main Elevation
HB254713
Underside Of Third Story Balcony
HB254714
Detail Of Fourth Story Arcade
HB254715
Detail Of Entrance

HB254716
Roofline
HB254717
Interior,office Entrance
HB254718
Interior,corridor
HB254719
Interior,stairwell Entablature


Data Pages


Photo Caption Pages


Item Title


Location
27 West Main Street, New Britain, CT

Find maps of New Britain, CT


Created/Published
Documentation compiled after 1933.

Notes
Survey number HABS CT-2
Building/structure dates: 1884 initial construction
Building/structure dates: 1888 subsequent work
Building/structure dates: 1908 subsequent work
Significance: Built by two men who were leaders in the local hardware industry, the Russell & Erwin Building was a symbol of the growing prosperity of New Britain as the "Hardware Center of the World." Its skillful Italian Renaissance Revival design was the work of Joseph Morrill Wells of McKim, Mead & White, New York's leading architectural firm. It was the only commission during Wells' career for which he had entire responsibility. Since 1909, when it became the City Hall, the structure has functioned as the seat of city government.

Subjects
Office Buildings
City & Town Halls
Hotels


Related Names
Wells, Joseph Morrilll
Scoville, Albert W.
Merwin & Stiles
McKim, Mead & White
Russell, Henry E.
Erwin, Cornelius B.


Collection
Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress)

Contents
Photograph caption(s): 
1. Main elevation
2. Underside of third story balcony
3. Detail of fourth story arcade
4. Detail of entrance
5. Roofline
6. Interior,office entrance
7. Interior,corridor
8. Interior,stairwell entablature


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