LYNN — It was like a homecoming for six of the city’s former mayors when they returned to the corner office Thursday morning.
Mayor Thomas M. McGee led his predecessors on a tour of Lynn Memorial City Hall, which culminated in the unveiling of the “Hall of Mayors.” The new exhibit outlines major contributions and includes a picture of each former head of city government on 53 posters. The artwork displays the colors of the city’s seal and wraps around the third floor hallway outside McGee’s office.
Although McGee became the city’s 57th mayor last year, only 53 people have actually held the title since the city was incorporated in 1850. There have been some repeats over the years, officials said.
“When I got sworn in and came into the office, we had discussions about how do we recognize all the mayors that have served the city of Lynn,” McGee said. “We’re pretty excited and … I think it looks great in the hallway. It brings some splash into the building and it’s the first phase of what we see as taking advantage of this building.”
Former mayors Thomas P. Costin Jr., J. Warren Cassidy, David L. Phillips, Albert V. Divirgilio, Edward J. “Chip” Clancy Jr, and Judith Flanagan Kennedy posed for pictures with their individual posters, while hearing about the larger ongoing effort to spruce up City Hall with artwork leading up the building’s 70th anniversary celebration in September.
“I think it’s fabulous,” said Costin, who served as mayor from 1956 to 1961. “It’s nice to do that because it will give the people who come here an opportunity to see the history of all the city of Lynn and what each mayor contributed to the city.”
Kennedy, who lost her reelection bid to McGee two years ago, said she took a picture of her poster so she could read what was highlighted from her eight years in office.
“The artwork looks great,” Kennedy said. “I haven’t had a chance to read all of them yet, obviously, but I think it’s a really nice way to remind us all we’re one spot in the whole history of this city.”
The mayors’ exhibit is just one phase of an initiative called “cityhALL” that’s being worked on by the Downtown Lynn Cultural District and the Lynn Public Arts Commission, which will showcase art, education and history on all four floors of the building.
Each floor will have a theme, and Hearing Room 302 will be transformed into a rotating community art gallery/public space. All pieces will be produced and donated by the community, including major contributions from the Lynn Public Schools and local organizations, according to Carolyn Cole, director of the Downtown Lynn Cultural District.
For instance, Cole had the idea to make the third floor a historic hallway. A second phase of the mayors’ exhibit artwork will include collages encompassing the decade of when each mayor started.
“As educational as it is, we want to make it interactive and appealing to all ages,” Cole said. “The purpose of this building was to withstand 100 years and make it the people’s building. We’re bringing it back and making it about the people and just brightening it up.”
McGee said the efforts to spruce up City Hall are meant to make it more welcoming, but also give people an opportunity to learn about the city’s history and take in its arts and culture. The idea came about from his time serving in the State House, where he observed displays of artwork and the state’s history.
“I think it’s just as important for us as a city to reflect on our history and on our art, and (what) makes us a great place,” McGee said. “We can take this building and utilize it in a way that people can come and enjoy it.”
The City Hall foyer, a living memorial to the city’s fallen veterans, has already been renovated. The lower level of the building will focus on the city’s culture and diversity. The second floor will have a maritime theme. The third floor is focused on history and the fourth floor’s theme will be industry.
