NORTH CONWAY NH

NORTH CONWAY NH

North Conway Community Center Grounds

Built - 1996

The town of North Conway is nestled in the heart of the famous White Mountains of New Hampshire which has, for many years, been the vacation destination of families from all over the United States and the world. The area has been so popular since it abounds in numerous summer and winter activities due to its ideal location and is enjoyable for all ages. It also has a large amount of outlet stores for the shoppers as well as many unique small shops along Main Street. Hotels, motels and restaurants are everywhere and perfectly located within the beautiful and majestic backdrop of the mountain range.

Samuel Thompson was the individual who was primarily responsible for turning North Conway into the premier vacation spot that it is today with his building of the once famous Kearsarge House in the downtown area. He was able to then atract Mount Washington bound tourists into his full-blown hotel, and the rest is history during those mid-nineteenth century days.

Thompson's Kearsarge House became so popular that he established his own uniformed band and soon after, built the town's first bandstand on the area in front of his luxurious hotel where hotel guests and townspeople could partake of evening concerts. This particular bandstand stood for over 85 years and was moved once closer to the highway until demolished and rebuilt in 1996.

The North Conway Community Center set out to replace the bandstand and was able to save only the old octagonal roof, withits beaded board ceiling, ornamented cornice, flared eaves and central finial. A crane was used to remove the old roof with the help of volunteers, set it on the new section. The old bandstand was copied with its high latticework base, boxed posts and simple braces and height changed to meet modern codes.

The new bandstand has been regularly used serving the Mount Washington Valley Band for its weekly summer concerts in this resort village.

INFORMATION PROVIDED BY:
Carrie I. Gleason, Librarian
North Conway Public Library