SANBORNTON NH

SANBORNTON NH

Sanbornton Square

Built - 1909

Sanbornton's Moulton's Band was founded in 1896 and now claims to be the oldest continuously playing band in the state of New Hampshire. As early as 1909, the band had planned on building their own bandstand near the Town Hall and Congregational Church in Sanbornton Square. The structure became a reality in that same year when it was finished and dedicated on August 19th and ceremoniously had a band concert and ice cream social to commemmorate the occasion.

Irving Tilton was the carpenter in charge who constructed the rather plain ocatgonal bandstand with its simple posts and railings. Evidently time and lack of funds was a contributing factor in the makeup of the structure but it still sits proudly after over 100 years and remains in use every summer. The bandstand has seen some changes over the years, the removal of the inside benches to accommodate the band and the installation of a ceiling to improve acoustics.

INFORMATION PROVIDED BY:

David Ruell, President

Ashland NH Historical Society

SANBORNTON NH

SANBORNTON NH

Bay Meetinghouse

Built - c. 1940

Sanbornton's second bandstand is located at the Bay Meetinghouse and was built by Albert Leighton and his son Earl to replace an earlier one on the site. It is believed that it was built sometime in the 1940s with the local grange (now defunct) and maybe other organizations helping to raise the funds for its erection. It is a simple octagonal structure with plain posts, rails and cornice and is dedicated to "Those who served their country in times of war." Not much other information is available on the history of the structure but it is known that it is still being used during the summer months on occasion. The view of Moulton's Bay below the bandstand is spectacular.

INFORMATION PROVIDED BY:

David Ruell, President

Ashland NH Historical Society

SANBORNTON NH

SANBORNTON NH

First Baptist Church Grounds

Built - 1993

There were already two bandstands within Sanbornton's town limits but there were those who felt that the 3rd church in town should have their own also so Donald and Josie Moses fulfilled the congregation's dream by donating a bandstand to the First Baptist Church in 1993 in memory of their son, Mark. The bandstand was built in September of that year by local contractor J. R. Ward & Son using purchased plans that were enlarged to provide more sizeable space for the town's band. The structure is octagonal as is the other two, and is crowned by a small octagonal cupola with latticework filled openings.

INFORMATION PROVIDED BY:

David Ruell, President

Ashland NH Historical Society