Town of Belmont
New Hampshire
New Hampshire
Town of Belmont
New Hampshire
New Hampshire
Vintage Village view of Bandstand before "new" Library was built in 1920s
Village Bandstand - 1908 Victorian-era structure created using labor volunteered by local residents who wanted to give their community a place to enjoy a concert on a summer evening and a piece of architecture of which they could be proud. Daily Sun 2012
Belmont Bandstand Memories Citizen 2012
So many to thank for restoration of the Belmont bandstand Daily Sun 12/7/16
Deed to Belmont bandstand needs clarifying before LCHIP grant is in hand Daily Sun 11/25/16
The newly restored Bandstand has been named to the New Hampshire State Register of Historical Places by the State Historical Resources Council, and the Town is ready to celebrate.
Bandstand's addition to Register of Historic Places highlights Heritage Fair Winni Echo 5/26/16
#NH Cultural Resources and #MyNewHampshire for NH State Register of Historic Places adds 3 properties 5/9/16
Belmont Bandstand named to NH Register of Historic Places Citizen 5/16/16
Belmont Bandstand named to State Historical Register Daily Sun 5/12/16
Belmont Celebrates New Hampshire History Week
October 19-25, 2015 - Preserving Belmont history is front and center October 19-25 as citizens, Belmont Elementary School, and the Town’s Public Library lead the fifth commemoration of New Hampshire History Week. Stories of landmarks and legacy will be shared community-wide, at indoor and outdoor locations, as special places and people are recognized in classrooms, public meetings, and historic buildings.
The community partnership launches free programs Monday, and all Belmont residents, neighbors, and friends are welcome. Week-long activities start with morning announcements at Belmont Elementary. Students from Mrs. Vicki Donovan’s fourth grade classes will read and report "Historical Belmont Minutes” offering a few facts about important Village buildings and places.
Also on Monday, the 1928 Main Street Library building, distinguished by its listing on the National Register of Historic Places, opens an exhibit of archives treasures, not usually displayed due to limited space. For many residents, local research starts at the library and has been fostered by director Eileen Gilbert and her staff, with updated resources including genealogical software.
The 1908 Village Bandstand will be honored on Monday, October 19 at 4:30 p.m. by a visit and brief program with State Senator Jeanie Forrester, who serves on the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) board of directors as a Legislative member, and Jennifer Goodman, executive director of the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance (NHPA). The NHPA recognized the restoration effort, begun in October 2013, with the prestigious Elizabeth Durfee Hengen Preservation Achievement Award this May.
More recognition follows in the Corner Meeting House at 5:30 p.m. when the Board of Selectmen announce 2015 Community Heritage Award recipients. The award cites exemplary residents and quality of life improvements, and has been presented with the Heritage Commission since 2011.
The Belmont Historical Society, founded in 1969, holds its annual meeting on Tuesday evening in the Belmont Mill at 7:00 p.m. and encourages current, former, and new members to attend. The organization welcomes all to a Friday "Open House” at the 1792 Province Road Meeting House, deeded to the Society in 1981, with recently completed major stabilization and exterior restoration which were funded by members, citizens, and two LCHIP grants. Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon while a fall spruce-up of the building is underway by volunteers and the Belknap County Restorative Justice Program, with further help from the Belknap County Conservation District.
A highlight of the effort is a Village Walking Tour on Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. led by preservation advocate and local history author, Wallace Rhodes. The presentation starts at the Belmont Public Library, distinguished for its architecture in 1985 by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior with listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Besides its façade, now undergoing a major masonry restoration, the building has notable and original furnishings including a Grandfather clock repaired and rehabilitated by local businessman Dennis Carignan, with help from local artist Pauline Murphy.
Photo IDs: The 1792 Province Road Meeting House and 1908 Village Bandstand both completed major restoration and rehabilitation efforts supported by the community and three matching challenge grants from the Land and Community Heritage Investment Project (LCHIP). Both sites host programs during NH History Week, October 19-25. Photos: Linda Frawley
NH History Week - Belmont Schedule
Belmont Kicks Off History Week Citizen 10/20/15
Heritage Commission News - November, 2015
Belmont Village Bandstand Receives Statewide Recognition
The Belmont Heritage Commission received yet another commendation for the preservation of the Belmont Bandstand on Monday. From left to right are historic paint specialist John Thompson of JLT Painting in Alexandria, restoration expert J.R. Graton of Northfield, State Sen. Jeanie Forrester, Heritage Commission chair Linda Frawley, Vicki Donovan and Priscilla Annis of the commission, presenter Jennifer Goodman of the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance (rear) and Wallace Rhodes of the Belmont Historical Society President.
Belmont Heritage Commission honored for bandstand restoration Winni Echo 10/22/15
Donna Rhodes, Winnisquam Echo Article & Photo
Like this on the LCHIP Face Book page!
THE COLORFUL Victorian-era Bandstand of Belmont Village received statewide recognition from the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance recently receiving the Elizabeth Durfee Hengen award.
Taking a bow for the bandstand Citizen 5/20/15
Belmont Bandstand restoration honored Daily Sun 6/4/15
Belmont residents celebrate return of Bandstand Union Leader 6/7/15
September 28, 2014 Local leaders, State officials and members of the preservation community met to salute the restoration of the historic Belmont Bandstand on September 28, 2014.
Refurbished Belmont Bandstand to be celebrated Union Leader 9/25/14
Belmont Bandstand restoration will be saluted Sunday Daily Sun Feature 9/27/14
Work on Belmont's new Tioga Pavilion progressing; Sunday celebration will focus bandstand restoration Daily Sun 9/27/14
Nearly 100 gather for Belmont Bandstand salute Citizen 9/28/14
Belmont salutes its renovated bandstand Daily Sun 9/30/14
Bandstand becomes centerpiece of a salute to historic preservation Winnisquam Echo 10/2/14
Community Salutes Belmont Bandstand Restoration Heritage Commission News October, 2014
Photo:Karen Bobotas/Daily Sun
Belmont's Village Bandstand is ready for a second century of community gatherings and performances -- repaired, restored & resplendent in original Victorian-era colors. Strike up the band for LCHIP! Linda Frawley, Chrm Belmont Heritage Commission
Restoration of the 1908 Bandstand began in October of 2013 and continued during 2014, with funding for repainting and a new cedar shake roof supported by an LCHIP matching grant. Historical restoration specialist JR Graton of Northfield, painter John Thompson of Alexandria, architectural conservator Brian Powell of Building Conservation Associates, and traditional stonewall builder Kevin Fife of Canterbury - with initial help from Cullen Concrete of Tilton and Busby Contractors of Atkinson comprised "a first rate team for the project" according to Heritage Commission chairman Linda Frawley.
Photo/Belmont Heritage Commission - A vintage granite foundation stone, carefully selected and hand-chiseled by Kevin Fife (standing), was set this week as the first step for the Belmont community landmark. Fife is a 1981 Belmont High School alumnus. JR Graton assisted with placement.
Bandstand Restoration Project: Momentum & Mysteries Heritage Commission News - July, 2014
Belmont Bandstand gets new colors as part of restoration Union Leader 7/2/14
Historic restoration specialist hopes to return bandstand to its original splendor Winnisquam Echo 9/11/2014
The Bandstand is the third Belmont historic preservation project funded by LCHIP in recent years. It is included in a recently released video presentation available at www.lchip.org.
Belmont bandstand stands out in original colors July 7, 2014 Staff Photo Citizen 07/02/14
Restoration Work Continues - Original 1908 colors return Daily Sun 06/25/14
Belmont Bandstand Gets a Much Needed Facelift Winni Echo 06/26/14
Restoring Belmont's Bandstand - A Labor of Love Union Leader 02/02/14
Belmont Bandstand Memories Citizen 8/4/12
Bandstand Gets New Day Union Leader 07/17/12
Thanks for Making Bandstand Gathering an Afternoon to Remember Winni Echo - 2012
Village Bandstand Centennial Day
Bandstand Centennial a Day to Remember in Belmont. In 2009 the community celebrated this historic landmark with Councilor Ray Burton commenting that the historic Bandstand "is a reminder of community care and heritage...in its setting near the Tioga River and the Belmont Mill, it remains a symbol of identity and pride in the very fabric of your Town". Executive Councilor Ray Burton
Addition of Bandstand to National Trust for Historic Preservation Website - 2008 addition of the Bandstand to the National Trust for Historic Preservation website. The Bandstand is located in Bandstand Park, dedicated as such in 1989.
Dedication of the Bandstand Park at the annual Belmont Community Picnic and Band Concert
2015
Historic Bandstand Topped Off with Decorative Finial
On May 1st, Belmont's Historic Bandstand was topped with a new decorative finial crafted by J.R. Graton.
Historic Bandstand topped off with decorative finial Citizen 5/2/15
Restoration of the bandstand began shortly after it was moved to its current location between the Belmont Public Library and old Northway Bank building on Sept. 11, 2013. It was funded through a combination of taxpayer money, private contributions and a $15,000 Land and Community Heritage Investment Program grant. Photo TIM
CAMERATO/CITIZEN
2014
LCHIP Grant Awarded for Historic Belmont Bandstand Preservation
State officials announced a $15,000 challenge grant for the historic Belmont Bandstand on Monday, January 10, 2014 at the Legislative Office Building in Concord. The Land and Community Heritage Investment Project (LCHIP) support is the third grant provided in recent years to help preserve local structures. Last spring, LCHIP staff visited the 1792 Province Road Meeting House, and presented a commemorative plaque to the Belmont Historical Society on completion of exterior repairs.
The Bandstand application was prepared by Heritage Commission volunteers and endorsed in late 2013 by the Selectmen. Restoration work began October 1 and the LCHIP support helps with second phase needs including painting, electrical and roof replacement. The competitive grant was one of 39 funded statewide and requires a 50% cash match.
For further information email BelmontHistory@gmail.com or contact any Heritage Commission member. LCHIP Press Release and Statewide Project List.
2013
Belmont Bandstand on the Move!
The Belmont Bandstand has made it's final voyage to a prominent location in the revitalized Village Center and additional work on the structure has commenced.
Belmont awards $27k bid for bandstand restoration Daily Sun 1/30/13
2012
The Belmont Bandstand is moving to its temporary location while the Village Revitalization project gets underway. Mark Roberts of Leslie E. Roberts, LLC starts the move!
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Requests for Proposals (RFP) for first project phase to stabilize and begin restoration work on the 1908 bandstand which is a community landmark considered one of New Hampshire's most beautiful and important. Preservation is a partnership of the Town, assisted by Selectmen-appointed Heritage Commission volunteer citizens.
Additional resources for this work included:
National Park Service - Guidelines for Historic Preservation
N.H. Division of Historical Resources - Additional Information
New Hampshire Preservation Alliance - Additional Information
2010
Belmont Taxpayers Will Be Asked To Come To Aid of Historic Bandstand. Daily Sun 2010
2011
Taxpayers approved funds in 2011 towards the repair and stabilization of the historic 1908 Bandstand. Relocation of the structure has been discussed since 2009. Careful consideration of the new site is an integral part of planning the overall Village improvements and will preserve eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places.
1977
Neil Whitcher replicated/replaced the octagonal, wood-shingled roof.
1970s
Mrs. Whitman Ides, former Beautification Committee chair, led bandstand preservation efforts, including funding support from the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission, citizens, and community organizations. Her energies resulted in a nomination to the National Register of Historic Places, a project continued by the Belmont Heritage Commission Citizen 2012
