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Truly an elegant structure, the historic 1860 Exchange Hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of Acton's most important buildings both historically and architecturally, as an elaborate example of the Bracketed-Italianate style architecture.
For over 150 years, Exchange Hall has been a vital part of the economic and social life of Acton. Acton was a dancing town and the third floor was intended for community use.
With the building's restoration in 2009, Exchange Hall continues the tradition by offering the hall for private or public dances, social gatherings, concerts, lectures and classes. A spring dance floor, installed in the late 1800's, has never needed repair.
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"When dancing couples moved together there, the floor rose and fell like ocean waves"
Quote from Yankee Magazine describing the spring dance floor in the Exchange Hall ballroom.
Dancing is back at Exchange Hall!
Next Dance September 24, 2010
Come and see our beautiful air conditioned Ballroom and Victorian Room
Check our events page for more information.
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Exchange Hall provided a meetinghouse for South Acton's first religious society from 1861-1878, and hosted lectures by Henry David Thoreau in the 1860's and Henry Ward Beecher in the 1870's. It was the site of many visits by John "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald, ex-mayor of Boston, congressman and grandfather of President Kennedy. Honey Fitz sang "Sweet Adeline" from the hall stage on many occasions. He and Mary Josephine "Josie" Hannon, from Acton, were the parents of Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy.
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