Historically significant features in the Social Hall and main corridor (Background Report)

CHARACTER-DEFINING FEATURES of our historic sanctuary building were identified in the Historic Structure Report (2003; “HSR”). These are the aspects that warrant historic preservation, in the eyes of architectural historians.

Below the jump, this post excerpts from here and there the HSR to describe and list the historically significant features in two spaces that some members are reportedly eyeing for decoration. As named in the HSR, those spaces are known as the corridor (B-01) and the Social Hall (B-02). 

Disclaimer: The material below reproduces the documentation as of October 2002. Some aspects may no longer exist today in the same form. 

Local Context 

Architecturally, the Mishkon Tephilo building reflects both its working-class immigrant community origins and its second- and third-generation constituency. … The materials used … reflect the congregation’s limited financial resources. (p. IB-1)

Interior Spaces

The building retains much of its interior character-defining features and materials, such as space configurations, interior walls, and decorative elements. (p. IIC-14)

Historically significant features

[The items below are inventoried in the Spaces and Features Survey = vol. 2 of the HSR, where they are catalogued in more detail. Any aspects that are not mentioned below were NOT considered to be historically significant.]

Corridor

• Painted plaster ceiling.
• Painted plaster walls.

• Pews/benches - perhaps original from [the previous] Sanctuary. Painted white with rosettes on top. Three in corridor, one in Passageway/Vestibule area near Coat Closet.

Social Hall

• Painted flush wood double doors open into corridor.

• Original door assists on double doors from Corridor. Door stops original.

• Four traditional brass chandeliers with candelabra bulbs suspended from center of the room.

• Stepped profile wood casings on double doors from corridor with wood paneling on Social Hall side.