Welcome

This is the website of the Barre Historical Society, owner of the Socialist Labor Party Hall National Historic Landmark, known as the “The Old Labor Hall”. Here you can find information about the history of the the Hall, about renting the Hall for your event, and about how you can help the Barre Historical Society preserve the Hall and the Union Cooperative Store bakery building.

Happenings at the Hall:

  • Bakery Open—Fresh Bread for You at Last!

    Jim Haas, resident baker in the restored BakeryUPDATE: The Bakery Window has extended its hours it is now open on Wednesday and Thursday from 12:30 to 4:30 pm, and Friday from 12:30 to 3:30 pm
    How can bread be both fresh and historic? If you buy it directly from the "Rise Up Bakery" window at the historic Union Cooperative Store bakery building—now restored as a modern wood fired bakery.

    You can now purchase bread right from the wood fired oven.
    Read more →

  • Chet’s Fund

    A picture of Chet Briggs in the historic ticket window newly reinstalled in the restored front entrance hallwayIn the short history since the Old Labor Hall reopened in the autumn of 2000, the Hall has coped with one crisis after another. In addition to many "normal" crises that plague historic buildings—two failed roofs, requiring major structural improvements, changes in fire code regulations, and on and on—the Hall has "survived" three major floods. In each of these physical crises (which, of course, created financial crises), Barre Historical Society's… Read more →

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Action, Camera!

Check out the Old Labor Hall YouTube channel for video excerpts from events at the Hall. Below are the most recent additions: