Worcester County Wonders: Taking center stage at Mechanics Hall

WORCESTER — The history of Mechanics Hall is palpable from the moment one steps into the grand concert space. At its core, the venue stands as a musical mecca for Worcester, with the E. & G.G. Hook "Worcester Organ" sitting front and center, its pipes and Corinthian-style columns framing its magnificence.

Today it remains the oldest unaltered four-keyboard pipe organ in the Western Hemisphere still located at its original installation site.

That installation site is key to the spectacular sound, and it all comes down to the acoustics. The near-perfect acoustics are internationally regarded as being among the world's best. The stage and the small recording studio have welcomed great musicians throughout the years, including Yo-Yo Ma, Ella Fitzgerald and Linda Ronstadt.

"You wouldn't believe the number of times I've heard someone say, 'Oh, yes, I've played at Carnegie Hall, but I much prefer this place,'" said Kathleen Gagne, the executive director of Mechanics Hall.

And it's easy to see why. Stepping onto the stage on a beautiful Tuesday morning, I was given the opportunity to test out the acoustics myself. Taking center stage, I opened my mouth and let out a loud sigh. The sound immediately swept into the furthest corners of the space before folding back in the direction of its origin.

Opting to sing the national anthem, each note that left my mouth felt different as it bounced off the historical walls. The louder the sound, the harder the notes would return, slapping the stage much like a wave upon the shore. The incredible experience of hearing my own voice echo across the space gave me just a taste of what professional musicians encounter.

"Anyone can record here," said Amy Sklar, director of sales and marketing. "We have lots of local students come in to record musical pieces for college and university applications."

Aside from musicians, the stage has welcomed presidents — including Bill Clinton, Gerald Ford, Woodrow Wilson, William Howard Taft, Theodore Roosevelt and William McKinley — along with important historical figures including Mark Twain, Susan B. Anthony and Charles Dickens.

"It's just so much fun to hear stories from the people that visit," Gagne said. "Often their story is about someone I didn't even know performed or spoke here."

Even with an empty audience, the painted eyes in portraits of distinguished Americans watch within their frames. These portraits have been hanging on these walls since 1866 and include George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Earlier this year, portraits of Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, and William and Martha Brown were unveiled.

The hall's history dates to the mid-19th century, when Worcester began flourishing into an industrial epicenter. More people moved into the area, bringing tradesmen like mechanics and craftsmen by the dozens.

By 1841, the Worcester County Mechanics Association was formed to help members advance their skills and give them a platform to understand and voice concerns about the state of the industry. The association held a number of debates, not just about professional concerns but also societal issues, including the treatment of Indigenous peoples, abolition and women's rights. By 1848, the organization hosted its first-ever Mechanics Fair, showcasing regional manufactured goods and inventions.

As the association grew, so did its need for space. Thus plans were put forth to build a hall on Main Street to serve the organization. By July 1855 the first shovels had hit the soil.

The building was dedicated in March 1857 and now sits on the National Register of Historical Places. Also in 1857, the first graffiti was sprawled inside one of the ticket booths on either side of the hall entrance. Since then, more names, phrases and promises of "forever" have been etched onto the wood and stained glass of the booths.

Throughout the years, the organization has changed with the times, opting to rent out the hall during the mid-20th century for roller skating and wrestling matches. By the 1970s the building was in need of a massive revitalization or risked being torn down. Thankfully the city of Worcester rallied behind the icon, raising $5 million to restore the space.

"The people of Worcester saved this place," Gagne said with a smile across her face. "It's truly amazing."

During the pandemic, the organization had to get creative as in-person concerts were put on hold.

"We survived," she added. "It was hard to get people together but with this space, we were able to have about 50 recording sessions throughout the pandemic."

Now the hall is entering an extremely busy season, hosting several high school proms in April and May, along with other community events, including performances by the Worcester Symphony Orchestra and even a yoga class on the floor of the hall at the end of the month.

"I think one of our best events is the Brown Bag Concerts," Sklar said. "It really gives those who may not typically be able to come to any other event a chance to come and listen to some amazing music."

The free concert series has been a staple at the hall since 1983, offering visitors a chance to bring their own "brown bag" lunch and enjoy a concert in the middle of the day.

Thanks to Cara for her suggestion of Mechanics Hall for this edition of Worcester County Wonders.

T&G engagement editor Sarah Barnacle is getting to know Central Mass. by exploring some of the best places to go and things to do in Worcester County. If you have an idea or suggestion, please email [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Taking center stage at Worcester's Mechanics Hall