Town of Belmont, New Hampshire
Town of Belmont
New Hampshire
Town of Belmont, New Hampshire
Town of Belmont
New Hampshire

Heritage Commission

 
Photo Linda Frawley
Contact:
BelmontHistory@gmail.com 
Belmont Bandstand 
Address: PO Box 310
143 Main Street
Belmont, NH 03220-0310

 

 


Members

Members

Vicki Donovan, Chair
(2025)
Jack Donovan
(2025)
Jillian Rolfe
(2026)
Claire Bickford, Vice Chair
(2027)
Priscilla Annis, Secretary (2027) Ben Rolfe
(2026)
Travis O'Hara, Ex Officio (2025) Adam Riberio (2025) non-voting member, BHS Student Rep.
 

The Commission consists of seven members appointed by the Board of Selectmen for three-year terms.  Rules of Procedure 

Meetings

Meetings are regularly held on the third Thursday of every month at the Belmont Mill or outside at the Bandstand, 6:00 p.m.  Please check posted agendas as schedule is subject to change as necessary


Purpose & Description

The Belmont Heritage Commission was founded by citizens at the 2004 Town Meeting.  Under New Hampshire law RSA 674:44-b as a Land Use Board, we promote recognition, use and protection of the unique historic and cultural resources of Belmont, and also integrate preservation planning as a partnership with individuals, businesses, Town boards and other appropriate groups.  (Adopted by the Belmont Heritage Commission on January 13, 2005)

Member Participation

Heritage Commission members are educators both retired and current, parents of Middle School children whose ancestors date far back into Belmont history,  a long standing member who in younger years  lived in Washington D.C. and shares her historical background, and three members who live in homes dating back to the 1800’s, one most recently restored. And we welcome our second Belmont High School Student Representative Victoria Riberio to our commission consisting of  Vicki and Jack Donovan, Priscilla Annis, Claire Bickford,  Ben and Jill Rolfe along with Sonny Patten (ex officio) respectively.  


Signature Programs

  • Community Heritage Awards presented annually in November with the Selectmen - award-winning restoration of the 1908 Belmont Village Bandstand
  • Successful grants/funding for preservation, programs and projects from the NH Preservation Alliance, Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP), American Resource and Recovery Act, John M. Sargent Fund and NH Humanities Council
  • Major technical services from NH Division of Historical Resources (NHDHR) and others
  • Community sponsor and organizer of Deck the Village 2009-2013, 2010 PlanNH charrette, Heritage Series concerts and 2014 rededication celebrations at the historic Belmont Public Library and Bandstand

News 2021

Belmont Elementary and Belmont Heritage Commission give goodie bags to Belmont Senior Citizens  11/23/2021 

Belmont Heritage Commission recognizes Alvin Nix and Gale School Committee  11/19/2021      


News 2020

Belmont Heritage Community 2020 Awards- Daily Sun 12/14/2020

Belmont Heritage Commission shares coloring books with students. Article submitted to Laconia Daily Sun

June Newsletter Article

August Newsletter Article


News 2019

Click Here for the Heritage Commission 2019 Annual Report.

 


News 2018

Click Here for the Heritage Commission 2018 Annual Report.


News 2017

Image of Elizabeth Nix - Volunteer

Belmont Heritage Commission adds local historic places to My NH online map  Sun 3/25/17
 
Elizabeth Nix, a Belmont student and a Belmont Public Library staffer, explores the site. (Courtesy photo)














 

News 2016

Heritage Commission - June, 2016 
Bandstand's addition to Register of Historic Places highlights Heritage Fair  Winni Echo 5/26/16 
   Belmont Heritage & Preservation Fair was great first-time effort  Daily Sun 6/24/16
   Belmont Heritage and Preservation Fair  5/21/16
     Belmont's Heritage and Preservation Fair takes place Saturday  Citizen 5/20/16
     Belmont Heritage Fair on Saturday celebrates town's "Special Places"  Sun 5/20/16
     Special Belmont places celebrated May 21 at Heritage & Preservation Fair  Winni Echo 5/19/16

Belmont Heritage Commission salutes three local initiatives  Daily Sun 4/28/16
 

 


News 2015

News 2015 Bandstand photo

LCHIP logo

 

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!

 

Heritage SeriesLCHIP logo
The Belmont Heritage Commission, John M. Sargent Fund and Friends of the Bandstand are sponsoring several upcoming events at the Village Bandstand.

July 3rd, Red, White & Blues: Jon Lorentz's Soul Revival Band Featuring Miss Sharon "Sugar" Jones
Red, white and blues  
Citizen 7/2/15


 

THE HERITAGE SERIES opened at the Belmont Village Bandstand on June 6th. The 12th NH Regiment was featured, playing to more than 70 people. From left are Mike Swift of Gilford, Janet Travis of Derry and Mike Mikuski of Deerfield. The honored guest was "A. Lincoln,” Jim 
Miller of Canterbury, who arrived as the band played "Hail to the Chief” for the residential lookalike. New energy efficient lighting now illuminates the structure for performances and safety, and was designed and installed by Michael Marsh of Norm Marsh Electric. 
Concert sponsors were the Heritage Commission, John M. Sargent Fund and Friends of the Bandstand. For upcoming schedule see www.historicbelmontbandstand.org.
The Heritage Series opened at the Belmont Village Bandstand on Saturday 
Citizen 6/10/15 Courtesy Citizen Photo
First Heritage Series concert brings Civil War music to the bandstand  Winni Echo 6/11/15
Civil War commemorative band playing in Belmont on Saturday evening  Daily Sun 6/4/15
  • August 15th, Newmont Military Band
  • September 13th, Grandparents Day Celebration Don Watson and Jackie Lee with special guests

Schedule
 


News


 Village Revitalization Advocacy

At the May 11, 2009 joint meeting of Selectmen, Planning Board, School District and other municipal committees the Heritage Commission recommended the establishment of an ad hoc committee appointed by the Selectmen for Village Revitalization.  The Selectmen, at the request of Heritage Commission representative Cormier, supported that recommendation on May 20, 2009.  The Commission’s active support of this important community initiative continues and is reflected in many of the projects and events listed below. 


 Belmont Mill

Belmont Mill Preservation Award - by Victorian Society in America/New England Chapter June, 2011

Belmont Mill Honored - by NH Preservation Alliance April, 2011

The Belmont Mill Story– a Belmont Heritage Commission presented at the March "Community Preservation Workshop” special thanks to Christopher P. Williams, AIA March, 2009 


 Village Lighting Upgrades

New energy efficient LED lights were turned on outside the Mill, capping more attractive ornamental poles, reminiscent of earlier Village times. Sargent Park lighting was also redesigned for better distribution and conservation, by replacing 1000 watt bulbs with 400 watt illumination. Upgrades included the entrance, complementing recent recreational equipment purchased for Belmont’s youngest citizens. Lighting projects were funded from a $95,100 federal grant successfully sought by the Commission and awarded to the Town in 2010.  2011 


Community Heritage Awards

In 2011, the inaugural New Hampshire History Week was ceremonially noted in Belmont with accolades for volunteerism and excellence by the Heritage Commission’s creation of the first annual "Community Heritage Awards” recognizing exemplary initiatives that foster Belmont Heritage.

As Ronald Cormier, Vice Chairman of the Selectmen and representative to the Heritage Commission said, "The people and projects recognized represent hundreds of hours, care and visibility for our heritage.  These awards are well-deserved and overdue."  

 2011 Recipients 
2011 Hert Award Recipients

Belmont Heritage Commission recognizes efforts of many   Citizen 10/18/11

BHS sophomore heads first class of Heritage Commission award winners  Daily Sun 10/18/11

Belmont residents honored for preserving community's heritage  Winni Echo 10/20/11

 2012 Recipients
2012 Hert Award Recipients
 

2013 Recipients
2013 Hert Award Recipients



Locals Honored for Working to Preserve Belmont's Heritage  Winnisquam Echo 10/17/13
 
 
2014 Recipients
2014 Hert Award Recipients

 
Belmont Presents Community Heritage Awards  Citizen 10/22/14

Community Heritage Awards Heritage Commission News November, 2014

Bailey, Garfield & Lewandoski Honored in Belmont Daily Sun 10/21/14

Three Belmont Residents Recognized With Heritage Awards  Winnisquam Echo 10/30/14
 2015 Recipients
2015 Hert Award Recipients
Belmont Kicks Off History Week  Citizen 10/20/15

Community Heritage Awards Presented in Belmont  Daily Sun 10/21/15

Belmont Residents Honored by Heritage Commission for Contributions to Community  Winnisquam Echo 10/22/15
 
 

Deck the Village

First coordinated in 2008, this annual Christmas season event brings community members together to creatively decorate and prepare the Village for the Holiday Season. The event includes both indoor and outdoor activities for all ages.


Make a Difference Day

2008 was Belmont's premiere participation in the Nation's largest day of volunteering.  This now annual community effort has included planting over 1,500 spring-blooming daffodils in special community places including Sargent Park and at the Library and Veterans' Monument.


Cruisin’ the Village

The first annual Cruisin' the Village event was held in 2011.  The day combines classic cars, great food, music, prizes, giveaways, raffles and trophies. Cruisin' Website.


Events

LRPA-TV Presents "Community Heritage Workshop" A Laconia and Belmont Collaboration - 2014

Old Home Day Exhibits - Building awareness of Belmont heritage was a focus, and widespread publicity was generated throughout the year. In addition to exhibits at Old Home Day, the Commission generated generous media attention in Lakes Region and Central NH media, publications- including the Boston Globe and USA Today – recorded our community preservation milestones, awards and activities. Additionally, LRPA-TV again aired several cultural and historical programs, earlier developed by the Commission and produced an original 30-minute Mill feature for "Lakes Region Spotlight” 2012 airings.  2011

Plan NH Charrette 2010

Community Preservation Workshop – co-sponsored with NH Preservation Alliance & NH Division of Historical Resources 
2009

NH Humanities Council – lecture UNH professor David Watters 2009

NH Humanities Council – performance John Perrault 2009

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 

 

NH Humanities Council – performance storyteller/humorist Rebecca Rule 2008

NH Humanities Council – lecture Dartmouth professor Jere Daniell 2008 
 


Annual Reports

Annual Reports

2020            
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009
2008 2007 2006 2005 2004    

Introduction & Update, May 2009  - Progress & Priorities - a presentation to Selectmen, Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Shaker Regional School District leadership and others.

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