fitchburg-hometown (Here in response to an overwhelming popular enthusiasm is Part 4. We are walking along Hartwell Street toward Main Street.) Take a right onto Elm Street, at Monument Park. Christ Church built in 1868 by the noted architect Richard Upjohn, is a magnificent example of Gothic Revival. Monument Park was given in memory of the solgdiers from Fitchburg who fought in the Civil War. The Court House, buit in 1871 is an unusual building with beautiful stone construction throughtout. The Armory, built in the Gay 90's is an example of how eccentric architects could become when they wanted to design an individual building. The old Post Office, erected two decades later, is an example of neo-classical architecture, with no expense spared. Looking up Wallace Avenue, you'll notice the new Wallace High-Rise apartment building. Immediately beyond this is the tiny Stratton Playhouse, for over forty years a cultural center for amateur thertre. The Playhouse comprises a barn and a house front moved from another location and attached to that barn. It is an interesting little building. Continue on Elm Street. At the intersection with Grove Street, you'll see the Historical Society building, built in 1914, with several brick townhouses from the 1840's completing that side of the street. Other brick buildings are conspicuous in this part of Elm street. At the intersection with Central Street, take a right at the grey brick mansard house. Central Street is one of the quaintest in the city. It is very narrow and has not changed since it was laid out. Fronting this street are examples of mansard, pillared Greek Revival (modified) and Federal-period architecture among others. A miniature park is in the middle of the street. At the end of the lane, looking down Prichard, you'll see the old Fitchburg -- beautiful brick townhouses (one is now the WFGL radio station), impressive pillared mansions, Victorian and Federal -- some big, some small. The B.F.Brown School is an appealing building with classical lines. One can also see the mansard-roofed old Fitchburg High School, at the corner of Academy and High Streets, built in 1869. Take a left onto Academy Street and then a right turn onto Elm Street at the school. The Fitchburg Art Museum will be on your left. A new granite addition has just been completed, very harmonious with the old building. This museum is noted for the excellent qauality of its art collections. Walk past the front of the buiding and bear right onto Merriam Parkway near the Sundial High-rise apartment building. There is a beautiful grey Federal period house here which was moved from Main Street many years ago. At the end of this narrow lane, take a left onto Mechanic Street and head to the Upper Common.. The first Parish Chuch, built in 1837 (the date is inscribed in the buiding), keeps sentinel over the beautiful common with its gazebo and sculptured fountain. Large townhouses line the southwest side of the common. The old town Hall, now used as a florist shop, lies at the corner of Circle and Main Streets. The next block contains diverse buildings, including a brick townhouse, a frame house (originally a single family home) and the Wesley Building, formerly the Wesley Methodist Church, built before 1848. Go down Circle Street and take the first left after the mansard roof dwellings. This is Baker Street, which was a charming area in its day, but which unfortunately has now fallen into a state of disrepair. On a barn here is an interesting advertisement for the Fitchburg sheet Metal Works. The telephone humber painted on the side is an old 4-digit number, a type used way back in the days of pre-dial service. Baker Street provides a chance to view the back doors of Fitchburg. At the end of Baker Street take a left onto Rollstone Street. The mills in front of you are part of the 1807 factory Square. At Rollstone and Main Streets, take a right onto Main. The C.C.Church and the Sentinel building were both designed by H.N.Francis, architects. They are amoung the finest buildings in Fitchburg. After the Sentinel building, Factory Square again comes into view. One the opposite side of Main Street is an interesting block, starting with the old Finnish Drugstore, the former Oliver Furniture Co. (now used as a professional building housing a novelty shop). All are unique in the size and variety of their architectural detail. Farther down on Main Street is the Holmes Building, unfortunately renovated around 1915. This used to be an attractive apartment building with shutters and small-paned windows, built around 1845. City Hall was built in 1852 and is a good example of brick Greek Revival architecture. The Fay Club, built as a lavish residence around 1885 by the wealthy industrialist George Fay, is an imposing edifice. Richly ornamented with stained glass, its unique design shows even in its chimneys and window casing. Opposite the Fay Club, on the corner of Main Street and Wallace Avenue is the former Trinitarian Church built in 1847. Now several time altered it has become the Central Hardware Co. It is unfortunate that some of the facades of our once-attractive buildings have been hidden by unbecoming modern facelifting. Perhaps if people become more aware of the historical aspects of our city, they will try to preserve and restore the old buildings, instead of altering them and thus blighting the area. An encouraging note here is the extablishment of an Historic District, comprising nine building around Monument Park, including the park itself. These buildings include the Fay Club, the Wallace Library,(which although new is well-designed and in harmony with the district), the former Trinitarian Church, Christ Church, the old YMCA (now the Wrocester County National Bank), the Armory, the old Post Office, the Cort House, and the Fitchburg Historical Society. It is hoped that this district can be expanded to include the Upper Common and environs, and even the Nashua River itself, certainly the focal point of our community. I will mention here that this tour should be flexible. The fun of exploring a city is to do it on your own, sometimes taking months, or even years to actuallynotice what's been infront of your eyes all this time. (to be continued)