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On May 30, 1913, Irish leaders and local officials laid the cornerstone for Hibernian Hall on Dudley Street in Roxbury


On Sunday, May 30, 1913, Massachusetts Congressman James Michael Curley laid the corner stone for the new Hibernian Building on Dudley Street in Roxbury, before a crowd of over 5,000 people.  Curley was joined by numerous Irish leaders from the city, state and nation, including members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, which organized the project in 1906 to create a headquarters for AOH divisions throughout greater Boston.

The ceremony was called to order by Patrick J. Larkin, president of the Hibernian Building Society.  Also on the dais were architect Edward T.P. Graham, past AOH National President Matthew Cummings, President of the Ladies Auxiliary Mrs. Ellen Ryan Jolley and AOH State President John H. Dillon.

"The building will contain one of the largest dance halls in Boston, on the top floor of the four-story building, as well as a large banquet hall," and various smaller rooms for meetings and cultural activities, Graham told reporters.  "On the first floor there will be two large double stores, with meeting room in the rear.  The basement contains eight bowling alleys, five billiard tables, store rooms and a boiler room.  The building is finely situated...near the Dudley Street Terminal."

Congressman Curley gave the keynote address on the Progress of the Irish People in America, in which he said, "The Irishman today stands for liberty and progress and his daily life is the most highly developed form of American citizenship," wrote The Boston Globe, which continued,  "He spoke of the character, purity and honesty of the Irish, who came here at the time of the 13 Colonies and made such a republic possible.  He told of the Irish in the Civil War."

After the address, Congressman Curley "laid the stone with a silver trowel.  The crowed cheered and waved small American flags," according to the Roxbury Gazette weekly newspaper.  "President Larking placed in the corner stone a copper box containing a copy of the deed, pictures, newspapers and other things which will be of interest to the future."

As he was pointing the concrete, someone from the audience shouted, "Where's your union card Jim," according to the Boston Globe.   Curley dug into his back pocket and immediately produced his union card, which he had received a few nights earlier when he was made an honorary member of the Bricklayers Union, earning applause and laughter from the crowd.

Hibernian Hall officially opened on October 1, 1913, and for nearly half a century served as a gathering place for the region's large Irish community.  Read more about Hibernian Hall here. 

Musicians and dancers from the Irish Social Club, which met at Hibernian Hall, circa 1949

In the late 20th century, the building fell into disrepair and was nearly demolished.  The hall was purchased by Madison Park Development Corp in 2000, and fully restored to its original grandeur in 2005.  

Today Hibernian Hall remains a wonderful gathering place for music, dance and theatre - reflecting the diversity of cultures in the area.   Here is a schedule of upcoming activities at Hibernian Hall in what is now called Nubian Square.

Plaque on Hibernian Hall, placed by the Bostonian Society

For more information on Boston's Irish history, visit Irishheritagetrail.com.

Research + Text, Michael Quinlin

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