Mechanics Hall - Utica's Civic Center

Mechanics Hall - Utica's Civic Center. The Oneida County Freedom Trail Walking Tour - Stop 4. Serving as Oneida County's cultural and civic center through the Civil War, Mechanics Hall hosted a great many anti-slavery events, lectures, and demonstrations. , The first floor was intended for retail space and commerce, the second housed a reading room and served as the early home of Utica's public library and art museum. The third floor featured a large hall for conventions, musical and theatrical performances, as well as lectures, religious assemblies, and other public meetings. , Most of the city's leading manufacturers, entrepreneurs, craftsmen and artists were members, including John Butterfield, Theodore S. Faxton, and Horatio Seymour. , [Captions (left to right)] , . Frederick Douglass in Utica With strong ties to Central New York, noted abolitionist and former slave Frederick Douglas spoke here, as well as Spenser Hall in Rome and Wieting Hall in Syracuse. , . Solomon Northup, a free African American who was kidnapped and sold into slavery, read from his memoir, “12 Years A Slave”. , . One of the most popular American entertainment acts of the 1840s, The Hutchinson Family Singers performed at Mechanics Hall several times. Singing in 4-part harmony, their act consisted of a mix of political, social, comic, sentimental, and dramatic works with anti-slavery songs such as “The Bereaved Slave Mother” and “Get off the Track” in their repertoire. , . Erected in 1837 by the Utica Mechanics Association, Mechanics Hall was to be a place for exhibitions and speakers promoting mechanical and industrial arts. , . At right, these men are assembled to learn whether they have been drafted into the Union Army, around 1863. , . Susan B. Anthony Denied Scheduled to speak at Mechanics Hall in 1861, noted suffragist Susan B. Anthony's lecture, “No Compromise with Slavery”, was canceled for fear of a riot.