Hibernian Hall
Also known as: Hibernian Building
Why it's listed
Built in 1913 on Dudley Street in Roxbury, Boston, Hibernian Hall served as a lodge for fourteen divisions of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and four divisions of the Ladies' Auxiliary. It was the first Hibernian building in the neighborhood and one of six Irish dance halls near Dudley Square, of which only it and Palladio Hall survive. Boston architect Edward T.P. Graham designed the four-story brick building, trimmed in stone and cast stone, with a large concert hall on the upper floors. The hall hosted dances well into the early 1960s, during a second wave of Irish immigration. As the Irish population declined, the property changed hands, and from 1967 it housed a job training program for the African-American community until operations ended in 1989. It was boarded up in 1992. The building is recognized for its association with Roxbury's Irish community and as a well-preserved example of early twentieth century commercial architecture.
Significance in brief: It is the first Hibernian building in Roxbury, a lodge for fourteen divisions of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and four of the Ladies' Auxiliary, and one of only two surviving Irish dance halls near Dudley Square. It is also a well-preserved example of early 20th century Panel Brick commercial architecture by a prominent, prolific Boston architect.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 04000534, listed June 2, 2004. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 182-186 Dudley St., Boston |
|---|---|
| County | Suffolk County |
| Listed | June 2, 2004 |
| Reference number | 04000534 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1913-1954 |
| Architect / builder | Architect: Edward T.P. Graham; Builder: Joseph M. Dolan |
| Architectural style | Other/Panel Brick |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Community Planning and Development, European, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Vacant/not in use; boarded and secured in 1992 after the last occupant ceased operations in 1989. The interior has been damaged by vandalism, water penetration and neglect. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.32863, -71.08192 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 04000534.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5750736
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.