Fireman's Hall
Also known as: Alfred Village Hall
Why it's listed
Firemen's Hall, at 7 West University Street in Alfred, is a massive three-story brick building put up in 1890-91 by volunteer firemen of the A.E. Crandall Hook and Ladder Company. Local brick, donations and money from firemen's fairs paid for it, and the firemen and their friends did the work themselves. The building held an engine bay, parlor, dining room, kitchen and council room on the first floor, with a theater above. Its central bell tower carries a clock added in 1898 and a bell that still strikes hourly. No architect is known, and the design probably came from a pattern book. The hall was used for fairs, meetings, plays, concerts and elections, and later housed a jail, police department and movies. The village bought it in 1973 and renovated the ground floor in 1978 for village offices. It is considered significant for its link to the community's development and for its prominent tower.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is significant for its ties to the growth of the village of Alfred and Alfred University, and for its imposing clock-bell tower, a community focal point. It also represents the dedication of the volunteer fire company from the late nineteenth century into the 1970s. It served as a neutral public gathering place apart from church and school.
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 80004275, listed March 18, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 7 W. University St., Alfred |
|---|---|
| County | Allegany County |
| Listed | March 18, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80004275 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1890 |
| Architect / builder | No known architect; built by volunteer labor, probably under a master builder using a pattern book |
| Architectural style | Vernacular late Victorian |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned by the Village of Alfred and occupied; housing village offices after a 1978 renovation, with further restoration of the theater and balcony planned. |
| Acreage | 0.7 |
| Coordinates | 42.25382, -77.79122 (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.
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 80004275.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5451892
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.