Masonic Temple (New Britain, Connecticut)

Masonic Temple
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location:	265 W. Main St., New Britain, Connecticut
Coordinates:	41°39′57″N 72°47′27″W / 41.66583°N 72.79083°W / 41.66583; -72.79083Coordinates: 41°39′57″N 72°47′27″W / 41.66583°N 72.79083°W / 41.66583; -72.79083
Area:	5 acres (2.0 ha)
Built:	1929
Architect:	Crabtree, Walter P.
Architectural style:	Beaux Arts
Governing body:	Private
MPS:	Historic Synagogues of Connecticut MPS
NRHP Reference#:	95000864[1]
Added to NRHP:	July 21, 1995

The Masonic Temple in New Britain, Connecticut is a Beaux Arts building from 1929. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.^[1]

The building was designed by architect Walter P. Crabtree for use as a Masonic hall in 1927. The building was completed in 1929, just before the Great Depression. Financial constraints led the Masons to sell the building to Aheyu B'Nai Israel (Brethren Sons of Israel), a Conservative Jewish congregation, in 1940. Some modifications were made to convert it for use as a synagogue, but since the two uses have similar needs (including both meeting rooms and a large assembly space), the building readily accommodated the new function. ^[2]

The building is considered architecturally significant as a "fine example" of Neo-Classical Revival style in the Beaux Arts mode. ^[2]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2009-03-13. http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreg/docs/All_Data.html. 
2. ^ ^{a b} David F. Ransom (September 21, 1994). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Masonic Temple / Temple B'Nai Israel". National Park Service. http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NRHP/Text/95000864.pdf.  and Accompanying two photos, exterior and interior, undated