HHA to Tour Peninsula’s Boston Township Hall at September Meeting

It’s one of the most stunning structures in the Cuyahoga Valley.

Boston Township Hall, pictured here in 1910, was originally built as a school to bring all of the town’s children together into one building.

Sitting at the northeast corner of Main Street and Riverview Road in Peninsula is the Boston Township Hall. Over the course of its 132-year history, the unique building has served as a school, library, meeting place, town hall, museum and more.

On Thursday, Sept. 12, the storied structure will serve another purpose – centerpiece – as Hudson Heritage Association begins its 2019-20 programming year with a special meeting inside Peninsula’s crown jewel.

HHA will welcome Peninsula’s foremost history expert, Randy Bergdorf, who will give a presentation on the unique stick-style building, its architecture, construction and history.

Bergdorf’s presentation will include the story of the building’s famous architect, John Eisenmann, who also designed Cleveland’s Arcade and Ohio’s state flag, and how the building was shuttered in the 1980s by the state fire marshal and nearly met its demise because of neglect.

Today, the rehabilitated building remains predominantly unaltered. Many of its original materials, including doors, windows and detailing, are still in place. In 1973, the building was listed as a contributing structure in the Peninsula Village National Historic District.

“Hudson, Boston Township and Peninsula have a special bond of shared history,” said Hudson Heritage Association President Chris Bach.

“Just as you can’t pass through Hudson without marveling at the Clocktower, you can’t make a trip into Peninsula without marveling at Boston Township Hall,” he added. “We are thrilled to be able to launch our new programming year by offering a rare, up-close look at this one-of-a-kind building.”

In addition to Bergdorf’s presentation, attendees at Hudson Heritage Association’s September program will be able to tour the building and the Cuyahoga Valley Museum, which is housed inside.

The event is Thursday, September 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Boston Township Hall, 1775 Main Street (Route 303) in Peninsula. The program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Bergdorf is a 40-year employee of the Peninsula Library, where he currently serves as Director and Fiscal Officer. Past positions include Archivist and Historical Collections Curator. He is the creator of many award-winning exhibits at the Cuyahoga Valley Historical Museum and is the author of numerous books, including “Images of America: Cuyahoga Valley.”

Longtime Peninsula Library Archivist and Historian Randy Bergdorf will speak at Hudson Heritage Association’s September meeting in Peninsula.

What: HHA’s September meeting: The Boston Township Hall
When: 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 12, 2019
Where: Boston Township Hall, 1775 Main Street (Route 303), Peninsula.
Who: Everyone. This program is free and open to the public.