Cumberland City Hall

Cumberland City Hall
Photograph by Kathleen McKenney, courtesy of the City of Cumberland

Side view of Cumberland City Hall
Photograph by Kathleen McKenney, courtesy of the City of Cumberland

Cumberland's City Hall was built in 1911, one year after a fire completely destroyed the 19th-century city hall and Academy of Fine Arts at this site. The architectural firm of Holmboe and Lafferty created this two-story neo-classical civic building of masonry construction. The building, which cost $87,000, was originally designed with a large two-story dome that was abandoned because of objections to its anticipated price. Local architect Wright Butler oversaw construction as contractor. The City Council held its first meeting in its new quarters March 25, 1912. Geographically, City Hall occupies a crucial location downtown and is the center of Cumberland's public building complex.

The exterior of the building is distinguished by fluted Doric pilasters that frame the main entry, a classical stone balustrade that runs along the top of the flat roof, and an irregular curved, recessed corner. City Hall is particularly significant for its intact interior, including marbleized stone pillars. One of the outstanding interior features is a large mural painted on the rotunda dome. Painted by artist Gertrude du Brau, the mural illustrates the early history of the city and features a depiction of George Washington's military life. Today, the building still functions as Cumberland's City Hall.

City Hall is located on N. Centre St. between Frederick and Bedford Sts. It is open to the public Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm.

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