288 History of Hingham. 



suggesting future gifts for the promotion of the intellcetual and 

 social welfare of the town. 



In this connection it may be interesting to mention other build- 

 ings which have been used for similar purposes. 



Before the erection of Loring Hall in the north part of the 

 town, the hall of the Derby Academy was frequently used for 

 gatherings of various kinds. Wilder's Hall on Lincoln Street, 

 Little's Hall in the Union Hotel, and Willard Hall on Main 

 Street, were also the scenes of many meetings and social gath- 

 erings. In later years Agricultural Hall, at Hingham Centre, has 

 been the largest public hall in Hingham, and the Grand Army 

 Hall and Niagara Hall, both at Hingham Centre, afford accommo- 

 dation for that section of the town. The Town Hall, which was 

 also at Hingham Centre, was the largest hall in town before the 

 erection of Loring Hall, and for ten or fifteen years was often 

 used ; but after Loring Hall was built it was seldom used for 

 any purpose except town-meetings. 



