Hanover's Weights and Measures Cabinet 11/8/23

The Town of Hanover is privileged to showcase a historical artifact dating back to the 1800s. This cabinet was built for the Town of Hanover during the 1840s by the Howard and Davis company. About 350 of these cabinets were built for municipalities throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The equipment in this cabinet was used to calibrate weighing and measuring devices used in commerce in the town of Hanover until newer equipment was put into use during the 20^th century.

The manufacture of the cabinets was commissioned in the Commonwealth after the U.S. Congress passed the following resolution on June 14, 1836:

"Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and he hereby is, directed to cause a complete set of all weights and measures adopted as standards and now either made or in progress of manufacture for the use of the several custom-houses, to be delivered to the governor of each State in the Union, or such person as he may appoint for the use of the States, respectively, to the end that a uniform standard of weights and measures may be established throughout the United States."

This resolution was enacted to ensure that the consumer would receive the amount of goods that were paid for, and local governments were charged with certifying scales used in commerce within their municipality. This service is still provided by the Town of Hanover today.

In 2023, the Town of Hanover voted to use Community Preservation Act funds to restore this cabinet for public display. Special thanks to Frank “Whitey” Correira for his restoration work. The cabinet may be viewed at the Hanover Town Hall, located at 550 Hanover Street.