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Doors Open Lowell 2011 Schedule
Doors Open Lowell 2011 Map
The complete schedule of events and buildings is now posted! The official Doors Open Lowell program guide will appear in the Wednesday May 11 edition of the Lowell Sun. Note that all buildings are not open at all times with roughly 10 different buildings open during each of the Friday and Saturday time periods.
Thursday, May 12
Opening Reception and Awards Presentation
Lowell National Historical Park
Visitor Center
246 Market Street
The Lowell National Historical Park, Lowell Heritage Partnership, and the City of Lowell celebrate the opening of Doors Open Lowell and acknowledgement of excellence in cultural heritage and historic preservation.
Friday, May 13
6:00pm – 9:00pm
1. Whistler House Museum of Art
243 Worthen Street
This wood-frame Federal/Greek Revival building (ca. 1825) was built as the residence for the Lowell Machine Shop’s agent. Best known as the birthplace of artist James McNeil Whistler, the home was acquired by the Lowell Art Association in 1908.
2. Residences at the American Textile History Museum *New in 2011*
491 Dutton Street
Discover how portions of the former Kitson Machine Shop complex (1866-1917) are presently being converted into new residential use. NOTE: Site is also open Saturday May 14 from 10:00pm to 5:00pm.
3. Lowell Telecommunications Corporation *New in 2011*
246 Market Street
Browse Lowell Telecommunications’ facilities in this mill originally built by the Lowell Manufacturing Company in 1902 to house weaving operations, today known as the Market Mills Complex.
181 Market Street
The Italianate style J.C. Ayer Company Laboratory (1858) has been converted into residential lofts, gallery, and retail space. See how this former patent medicine company building has been reborn for residential use. NOTE: Site is also open Saturday May 14 from 10:00am to 1:00pm.
5. Trio
30 Market Street
The Hamilton Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1825, the second of Lowell’s original ten large textile corporations. See how their Italianate style former dye house (1883) has been redeveloped for residential use.
88 Prescott Street
The Old Lowell National Bank building was built ca. 1920 in the Classical Revival style. See how the building, as well as the adjacent Greek Revival Spaulding Building (ca. 1845), has been rehabilitated for residential use.
58 Prescott Street (rear)
The Queen Anne style Claflin Block (ca. 1882) has been rehabilitated for new residential and retail use. Discover how Tutto Bene, located to the rear along the Eastern Canal, has designed exciting retail space for their wine and cheese shop. NOTE: Site is also open Saturday May 14 from 10:00am to 1:00pm with a residential unit open just on Saturday. DOORS OPEN XTRA
10 Kearney Square
The Victorian Fairburn Building (ca. 1892) has been converted into residential lofts as well as rehabilitated commercial space. Discover the building’s rebirth and visit a unit containing one of the foremost private collections of Lowell patent medicine memorabilia.
9. Old City Hall *New in 2011*
222 Merrimack Street
Take a look at the unique attic space in Lowell’s first Town Hall (1829) that has been creatively rehabilitated to serve as offices for Enterprise Bank.
10. Masonic Temple
79 Dutton Street
Built ca. 1928 as Lowell’s Masonic Temple, the building serves the same use today. Learn about the Masons and view several meeting rooms as you tour this Classical Revival structure. Doors Open XTRA
Saturday, May 14
NOTE: #2 is also open 10:00am to 5:00pm and #4 and #7 are open from 10:00am to 1:00pm.
10:00am – 1:00pm
11. Federal Building
50 Kearney Square
This Neoclassical structure originally housed Lowell’s post office when built by the federal government in the early 1930s. Discover how Middlesex Community College has reused the building for library and other educational uses.
12. Lower Locks Gatehouse *New in 2011*
Lower Locks @ Central Street
Learn about lock and dam operations on the Pawtucket Canal at Lower Locks, site of one of the original navigation locks on the canal dating from 1796. The current dam and locks date to rebuilding efforts in the 1840s.
13. Loft 27
27 Jackson Street
The Hamilton Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1825, the second of Lowell’s original ten large textile corporations. See how Mill No. 7, built between 1911 and 1919, has been converted into residential use.
14. Appleton Mills
219 Jackson Street
Built between 1902 and 1914, Mills No. 1, 1A, and 4 were among the last buildings built in the Appleton millyard. See how these former mill buildings have been rehabilitated for use as artist live-work residences, including a soaring interior atrium, by Trinity Financial as part of the Hamilton Canal District project.
15. Middlesex County Superior Court
360 Gorham Street
Consisting of two, large attached buildings built in 1850 and 1897 respectively, these buildings have been in continuous judicial use for over 150 years. Explore some of the interesting architectural features of the courthouse.
327 Gorham Street
Located adjacent to the site of St. Peter’s Church, the former St. Peter’s Rectory (1891) exhibits an eclectic blend of stylistic elements. Get a rare glimpse of this former residence that now houses offices including the James L. Cooney Agencies.
122 Western Avenue
This complex of mill buildings built between 1890 and 1940 has historically been home to many industrial uses including the Massachusetts Mohair Plush Company. See how portions of the millyard have been reused in exciting and creative ways by the artists of Western Avenue Studios. NOTE: Site is open from 11:00am to 4:30pm.
18. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church *New in 2011*
62 Lewis Street
Discover the first Byzantine-style church in America, Holy Trinity (1906). Known for its golden dome, mosaics, iconography, and rich history, the church has just undergone an extensive exterior restoration.
Doors Open XTRA
19. St. Patrick Church *New in 2011*
282 Suffolk Street
This Gothic Revival church (1853-1874) replaced a smaller wooden church built in 1831 for Irish laborers building Lowell’s canals and other structures. Learn more about the history of St. Patrick’s and how it continues to serve Lowell’s immigrant populations today. NOTE: Site is open from 10:00am to noon.
Doors Open XTRA
20. Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church *New in 2011*
25 Fr. John Sarantos Way
Visit this Byzantine-style church (1956-1964) and discover its rich ornamentation including imported ceiling mosaics from Italy, iconography, and stained glass.
Saturday, May 14
2:00pm – 5:00pm
21. Apartments at Boot Mills
141 John Street
The Boott millyard is one of the most historic and architecturally significant millyards in the United States, having been constructed in phases between 1835 and the early 20th century. See how the mill has been transformed into exciting residential space.
22. Tremont Yard
1 Tremont Place
Located beneath the home of Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union, discover exposed historic subterranean waterpower features. These archeological remains were the site of pioneering turbine experiments undertaken by famed engineer James B. Francis in 1855. Doors Open XTRA
23. Lofts at Perkins Park
39 Perkins Street
See how Mill No. 12 (1907) and Storehouse No. 14 (1876) in the former Lawrence Manufacturing Company millyard have been rehabilitated for new residential use.
52 Lawrence Drive
The Lawrence Manufacturing Company was chartered in 1831 as one of Lowell’s original ten large textile corporations. See how portions of the remaining millyard have been converted into residential condominiums.
25. St. Jean Baptiste Church and Rectory
741 Merrimack Street
Discover the Romanesque Revival former St. Jean Baptiste/Nuestra Senora del Carmen Church (1896) and adjoining rectory which has long been a dominant architectural presence on upper Merrimack Street.
760 Merrimack Street
See how the Romanesque Revival style former St. Joseph’s High School (1928) has recently been rehabilitated by the Coalition for a Better Acre into the Acre High School Apartments.
357 Pawtucket Street
Originally built as a private residence, the former Frederick Ayer mansion built in 1876 is one of the most ornate buildings in Lowell. Tour this Second Empire style masterpiece that has been well preserved through its reuse as the Franco-American School.
28. Spalding House
383 Pawtucket Street
The Georgian style Spalding House (1761) is the third oldest surviving house in Lowell. Learn about the house’s early history, its connection to Pawtucket Falls, and the Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust’s efforts to preserve the house for future generations. Doors Open XTRA
School Street @ Northern Canal
This gatehouse (1847) is the largest on the Lowell canal system and controlled the flow of water into the Northern Canal. Still in use today, the gatehouse contains much of its original gate raising equipment.
30. Pawtucket Congregational Church
15 Mammoth Road
The Romanesque Revival style Pawtucket Congregational Church was built in 1898 and is the home of an 1812 Revere bell. Tour the church and learn more about their ongoing restoration efforts. Doors Open XTRA
31. St. George Hellenic Orthodox Church *New in 2011*
44 Princeton Boulevard
Originally built to house the Grace Universalist Church in 1896, St. George’s is home to the largest masonry dome in Massachusetts built by the famed Guastavino Company whose many other works include Ellis Island and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.