BRUNSWICK ME

BRUNSWICK ME

The Brunswick Mall

Built - 1986

The town of Brunswick, Maine is located halfway between the cities of Portland and Augusta on the Androscoggin River. The first years of the town's history during colonial days saw the inhabitants of the area living in hardship and poverty-striken conditions but the second half of the 18th century, the area started to develop into a thriving industrial center with saw and cotton mills dotting the shoreline of the river followed by grist and paper mills a hundred years later.

During the Civil War, Brunswick produced two significant figures of the period: Harriet Beecher Stowe, who is said to have begun the great war between the states after her book, "Uncle Tom's Cabin,' was published. Also, Joshua I. Chamberlain was a native son whose extraordinary military career included the acceptance of the Confederate Army's surrender at Appomattox which ended the War Between the States. No other city or town in Maine retains more evidence of that conflict than Brunswick in the buildings on the Bowdoin College campus, the First Parish Church and the Joshua I. Chamberlain Museum.

Not only is the town very proud of its illustrious history, but is also proud of its unique bandstand built on what's called the Brunswick Mall which is a long expanse of greenery near the center of town. This bandstand was built in the mid-80s on a black granite base imported from Vermont with 8 solid beams supporting its triangular roof. In the center of the floor is a large round dedication plaque.

The bandstand stood on the northern side of "The Mall' until moved to its now opposite end where there is a larger expanse of grass capable of holding more people during summer concerts and other events and is now more of a focal point on the common area. It is believed that Brunswick's bandstand is the third one that the town has had.

Not only does the structure play host to Wednesday evening summer concerts, but also is used during Veteran's Day exercises sometimes holding some of Maine's political figures - once the then Governor King. Other events in the past have included the R. B. Hall Band Day in the 1980s and the town's celebration of its 250th anniversary. It is also the summer home of the famous Brunswick Band which was originally formed in 1844 and still going strong.

INFORMATION PROVIDED BY:
Jarrod Diels-Roll, Curator
Pejepscot Historical Society - Brunswick