HANOVER MA

HANOVER MA

Hanover Bandstand

Sylvester Field

Built - 1988

Hanover is quite conveniently located midway between Boston and Plymouth and is a community that offers a blend of culture and country with shopping malls and riding stables co-existing within the same community. The location and friendly atmosphere of the town not only attracts young and new familes to the area but also has a large number of "locals" who proudly trace their ancestry in the area back many generations.

Hanover is known for its Luddam's Ford where the Indian Head River empties its headwaters into the North River just below the ford. Early on, it provided a pathway for Indian canoes and fishing in great quantity for those early Native Americans.

The ford is called Luddam's Ford in recognition of one James Luddam from Weymouth who served as a guide for then Governor John Winthrop of the Mass Bay Colony. Governor Winthrop was on his way to a meeting with Governor Bradford in Plymouth in 1632 when legend has it that Luddam carried Winthrop on his back as they forded the river at a rocky spot just below the present bridge.

This very historical area soon became instrumental in establishing a number of thriving businesses which included saw mills, iron works, grist mills and rubber mills. None have survived the eyars due to fires and the depression of the 20s with the area now turned into conservation land.

The Hanover Bandstand at Sylvester Field, was a dream which was fulfilled by the Hanover Woman's Club after the community showed a large interest in such a structure in the park. The idea of having a bandstand was originally conceived by Jean Ahearn of the Hanover Arts Council.

Volunteers for a wide variety of needs on the project were easily found and due to some hard work by many people in gaining public funding and volunteer carpentry, the structure was finally built and dedicated on June 12, 1988 at a special opening day celebration planned by the Hanover Bandstand Committee.

The Hanover Bandstand immediately paid off in dividends by playing host to a mixture of bands during the summer concert series as well as field days and holiday celebrations visited by local VIPs.

INFORMATION PROVIDED BY:

Kathern DiSabato

John Curtis Library