Town of Belmont
New Hampshire
New Hampshire
Town of Belmont
New Hampshire
New Hampshire
 Also See Belmont Town Buildings and Facilities Committee |
Belmont Mill - The Belmont Mill is a community-owned property, currently housing General Assisatnce and Penstock and Tioga meeting rooms on the 4th floor. Visit the Belmont Mill Services webpage for more information.
December, 2018
March, 2017
Voters opposed the demolition of the historic Belmont Mill building on March 16, but the fate of the four-story landmark remains unclear Vote on Belmont Mill Fuels broader review of historic properties
A bicyclist passes the historic Belmont Mill, where medical and senior services are located. A town committee will take up the charge of studying the building's potential as town offices. (David Carkhuff/Laconia Daily Sun)
Sun 3/25/17
January, 2017
Dollar-free Belmont Mill articles occupy Budget Committee Daily Sun 1/13/17
Belmont voters will be polled on the future of the Belmont Mill Daily Sun 1/3/17
December 5, 2016
The Belmont Board of Selectmen held a public input session on Monday, December 5, 2016 at the Corner Meeting House to seek input on the Mill and its future specifically their intent to bring forward to the voters a warrant article to restore the masonry on the building. Minutes
November 21, 2016
Belmont asks public's help: Keep the Belmont Mill or flatten it? Daily Sun 11/25/16
June 18, 2015
Draft Consultant Report Discussed
Mill building's future uncertain Union Leader 7/8/15
Independent evaluation of Belmont Mill concludes building is "worth saving" Daily Sun 7/1/15
How to save the Belmont Mill Citizen 6/18/15
May 5, 2015
The Belmont Board of Selectmen held a public meeting on May 4th. Thank you to all of the people who attended and the comments and information you shared. Information on this meeting as well as continuing news can be seen as it becomes available on this page.
70 residents answer call to discuss & debate future of Belmont Mill Daily Sun 5/6/15
Appeal lost Citizen 5/7/15
March 27, 2015
What's Next for the Belmont Mill?
The Belmont Board of Selectmen will hold a public meeting on Monday, May 4, 2015 beginning at 7:00 p.m.to discuss "What’s Next for the Belmont Mill”. We look forward to seeing you there; your input on the Belmont Mill is important. More...
Future of Belmont Mill to be topic at Monday night meeting at BHS Daily Sun 5/1/15
March 17, 2015
Selectmen's Meeting - Moving Forward
Frustrated selectman advocates tearing Belmont Mill down Daily Sun 3/17/15
Belmont Mill's future at stake Citizen 3/17/15
March 10, 2015 Town Meeting
Belmont voters to decide on mill renovation, SB2 status Citizen 3/9/15
Ballot Question #3. Shall the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Million Three Hundred Fifty Seven Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($3,357,250) for the purpose of renovating the Belmont Mill for use as Town Offices, and to authorize the issuance of not more than $2,957,250 of bonds or notes in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33) and to authorize the municipal officials to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon; the balance of funding for the project ($400,000) to come from the Municipal Facilities Capital Reserve for which the Selectmen are agents to expend. A 3/5 ballot vote required. (The Budget Committee recommends $3,357,250 and the Board of Selectmen support this recommendation.)
Belmont votes down mill renovation Citizen 03/11/15
$3.4M Belmont Mill renovation attracts little support Daily Sun 03/11/15
Belmont voters chose not to renovate historic mill Union Leader 3/10/15
Yes - 164
No - 467
February 3, 2015
Public Meeting Presentation
January 31, 3015
Town Meeting Deliberative Session
Photo: Ed Pierce/Citizen
Belmont Mill Renovation in Voters' Hands Citizen 01/31/15
Belmont Mill Conversion Plan Enjoys Broad Support at SB-2 Session Sun 02/03/15
Proposed Belmont Mill Renovations Spark Debate at Deliberative Session WinniEcho 02/15/15
January, 2015
Selectmen want voter opinion on mill Citizen 1/6/15
Belmont Mill makes it to town warrant Citizen 1/7/15
Belmont Board of Selectmen
Presentation on Renovation Proposal
Click on Floor Plans to Enlarge
Questions Aplenty Regarding Belmont Mill Reconstruction Costs Citizen 1/19/15
Case Made for Belmont Mill Renovations Citizen 1/21/15
Belmont Residents Question Bond Proposal to Fund $3.4-Million Mill Renovation Daily Sun 1/22/15
December, 2014
Belmont Mill Worth Saving, Contractor Tells Selectmen Daily Sun 12/9/14
Masonry Expert Says Belmont Mill Fire Damage is Fixable Citizen 12/9/14
Tempers flare over Belmont Mill Citizen 12/30/14
Belmont Mill Renovation Project Would Cost $3.6 Million Daily Sun 12/30/14
November 14, 2014
Building Envelope Specialists
Masonry Wall Construction Assessment at Belmont Mill
Looking through the bricks Citizen 11/15/14
October, 2014
Engineer finds Belmont Mill to be in "good condition" Citizen 10/16/14
Parking, Integrity of Mill Discussed at Meeting Citizen 10/30/14
Masonry expert gets first look at Belmont Mill Citizen 10/31/14
September, 2014
Preparing Belmont Mill for Town Office Location Could Cost More Than $1 Million Union Leader 9/24/14
Historians Want Belmont Mill Saved Again Union Leader 9/3/14
Selectmen Discuss How to Pay for Belmont Mill Renovations Citizen 9/19/14
August, 2014
Selectmen receive first cost estimate on Belmont Mill move Citizen 8/8/14
Belmont Selectmen discuss use of Belmont Mill Citizen 8/26/14
December, 2013
Belmont extends construction offer for Mill Citizen 12/2/13
Belmont Board of Selectmen - Selectmen's Minutes - 12/16/13
November 18, 2013
Belmont Board of Selectmen
Selectmen's Minutes
October 22, 2013
Bonnette, Page & Stone Corp and PortOne Architects
Statement of Qualifications for Architectural Services Relating to Belmont Municipal Facilities Project
October 1, 2013
Belmont Board of Selectmen
Request for Qualifications (RFQ) - Architectural Services for the Condeptual Design and Planning of the Belmont Municipal Facilities Project RFQ#13-01-MFP
July, 2013
Belmont municipal buildings in disrepair Citizen 7/16/13
May 10, 2013
H.L. Turner Group, Inc
Belmont Mills Complex Structural & Mechanical Assessment
January, 2013
The Scott Lawson Group, Ltd
OSHA Pre-Renovation Lead Inspection - The Belmont Mill 1/31/12
LRCC culinary program forced to find new venue Citizen 1/3/13
LRCC culinary program vacates Belmont Mill Daily Sun 1/9/13
Belmont Selectmen pull plug on $500K article Daily Sun 1/9/13
Lead paint found at Belmont Mill Citizen 1/15/13
2012
Selectmen told at least a portion of Belmont Mill 4th level flooring has rotted Daily Sun
Selectmen approve $5,000 to find Mill dry rot solution Citizen 12/19/12
In January of 2013 the Town faced structural and other issues with the Mill and began a two plus year investigation of the needs of the building and tenants. There resulted a repurposing proposal which intended to relocate the Town offices into the Mill. That proposal was turned down by voters at the 2015 Town meeting. Background follows.
2015
Belmont Mill added to state register of historic places
November 21, 2015 Citizen Photo & Content Michael Weiss - For 182 years, the Belmont Mill has been the heart and soul of commerce in Belmont and now it's drawing acclaim after having been been added to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places. The New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources announced earlier this week that the mill, built in 1833 and a key supplier to Belmont’s economy for much of the 20th century, has been added to its list of historic properties. The Belmont Mill is the third landmark in Belmont to be recognized by state or federal authorities and joins the Belmont Public Library and the Province Road Meeting House, said Linda Frawley, chair of the Belmont Heritage Commission. "Belmont’s put a great deal of effort and care into the revitalization of the village area,” said Candace Daigle, Belmont’s Town Planner. "This designation is an important factor in that.” Daigle praised the work of the Belmont Heritage Commission, which was founded in 2004, as having largely spearheaded the Belmont Mill’s renovation process. "The Heritage Commission is very active in village preservation,” said Daigle. According to the Heritage Commission’s website, Belmont NH Heritage (belmontnh.homestead.com), the Belmont Mill is 80 feet long, 40 feet deep and is built on a granite foundation. It was constructed in 1833 by the Gilmanton Village Manufacturing Company, with the ownership of the mill changing periodically for decades while remaining open for business until 1970. "It’s certainly a building with a storied history,” said Frawley. In 1992, a fire broke out in the mill, causing what Frawley referred to as "a horrific mess.” State Register of Historic Places adds Belmont Mill. The Mill was acquired by the town of Belmont in 1995, where it was in danger of demolition, she said. However, thanks to the efforts of Belmont citizens, and in particular Wallace Rhodes, who is now the Town Historian Emeritus of Belmont, the mill was saved and restored, Frawley said. Since then, the Belmont Mill has received numerous awards from historical societies across New Hampshire, including a Preservation Award from the Victorian Society in America/New England Chapter, she said. Frawley quoted a New Hampshire historian named James Gavin, who spoke of the Belmont Mill as "a monument in the preservation history of New Hampshire.” Eileen Gilbert, director of the Belmont Public Library, called the Belmont Mill "a great piece of work that shows the dedication of the Belmont Heritage Commission.” A warrant article calling for its renovation was overwhelmingly defeated by Belmont voters in March. The proposal called for $3,357,250 to refurbish the mill building and moved town hall offices there. Of that money, $2,957,250 was to be raised through the issuing of bonds and another $400,000 would have come from the Municipal Facilities Capital Reserve.
November 18, 2015-Daily Sun
The Belmont Mill is one of seven properties statewide which have been added to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places.
Built in the 1830s and a central economic fixture in Belmont well into the 20th century, the Belmont Mill is the only surviving building associated with the Gilmanton Village Manufacturing Company; it serves as a reminder of manufacturing's importance in the town's economic development. After a 1992 fire, community efforts to save the building resulted in a 1996-98 renovation.
Its listing follows the initiative of the Belmont Heritage Commission, which culled research and records acquired by Town Historian Emeritus Wallace Rhodes over the years, the professional assistance of architectural historian Mae Williams, and approval of the Belmont Selectboard to include the municipally owned building on the State Register.
For Belmont, it is the third landmark recognized by state or federal officials. The Province Road Meeting House owned by the Belmont Historical Society, with a recently rehabilitated exterior funded with support from the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) was the first community landmark listed on the NH State Register in 2002. And the Belmont Public Library was distinguished with inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. The Mill has been honored for preservation, rehabilitation and its 1998 adaptive reuse by the Victorian Society of America, New England Chapter among others. In 2011 the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance included the 1830s structure in its 25 "Milestone Preservation Projects" of a quarter century.
Historic properties added to state register Union Leader 11/22/15
State Register of Historic Places adds Belmont Mill Citizen 11/21/15
Belmont Mill added to state register of historic places Daily Sun 11/18/15
NH adds three historic sites to state register Concord Monitor 11/18/15
Libraries, 1-room schoolhouse, theater join historic places Associated Press 11/18/15
July 8, 2015 - Mill Eligibility
Citizen-07/08/15 - The Belmont Mill could soon join the Province Road Meeting House on the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places. Photo Tim Camarato
Belmont Mill eligible for State Register of Historic Places Citizen 7/8/15
Town Unveils NH Historical Highway Marker for Mill
July 15, 2015 Town Officials unveiled New Hampshire Historical Highway Marker #0235 commemorating the efforts to save the Belmont Mill
Restoration of Belmont Mill effort chronicled on new state historical marker Daily Sun 7/19/13
Saving the Belmont Mill Citizen
Belmont Mill "miracle commemorated with marker Union Leader 7/26/13
2011
April 8, 2011 Belmont Mill Named one of 25 Milestone Projects in New Hampshire Preservation
The Historic Belmont Mill is among a distinguished list of 25 of New Hampshire's greatest preservation achievements of the past 25 years, unveiled April 8th by the NH Preservation Alliance (NHPA) at its 25th Anniversary Conference. "All 25 Milestone projects exemplify themes of leadership, creativity, tenacity, and community and economic benefit," according to Jennifer Goodman, NHPA Executive Director.
Belmont Mill gets preservation accolade Citizen 4/12/11
Belmont Mill on list of greatest NH preservation achievements of the last 25 years Daily Sun 4/12/11
Belmont Mill Named one of 25 Milestone Projects in New Hampshire Preservation Historical Society
June 24, 2011 Victorian Society Honors Belmont Mill
An invitation from the Victorian Society in America to tell the Belmont Mill Story included the Society's presentation of their annual Preservation Award honoring the Belmont Mill
Belmont Mill Preservation Award by Victorian Society in America/New England Chapter Belmont Heritage Commission
The Belmont Mill Story: Lessons in Preservation & Stewardship Belmont Heritage Commission
2010
Association of N.H. Historical Societies - Lifetime Achievement Award - Wallace Rhodes
2009
Community Preservation Workshop
The Belmont Heritage Commission hosted a March Community Preservation Workshop in partnership with the N.H. Division of Historical Resources (DHR) and the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance. Heritage Commission
2000
AIA N.H. Chapter - Merit Award for Excellence in Architecture, Christopher P. Williams Architects
N.H. Preservation Alliance - Excellence, Rehabilitation & Adaptive Reuse, Town of Belmont
PlanNH - Merit Award for Excellence, Community Impact to Christopher P. Williams Architects
Home Builders and Remodelers Association of N.H. - Gold Award to Christopher P. Williams Architects
Home Builders and Remodelers Association of N.H. - Best in Show to Christopher P. Williams Architects
1998
Belmont Town Report dedication - Wallace Rhodes
Greater Laconia Weirs Beach Chamber of Commerce - Golden Hammer Award, Institutional Category
1997
New Hampshire Preservation Alliance - Wallace Rhodes for preservation
2012
Anniversary of Belmont Mill fire today Citizen 8/14/12
Town marks 20th anniversary of mill fire and the restoration effort that followed Citizen 8/10/12
Belmont celebrates iconic Mill Union Leader 7/29/12
1995
The existing Belmont Mill facility, owned by the Town of Belmont, was the subject of the first Plan NH Charrette in 1996 to determine whether the Belmont Mill, ravaged by neglect and a massive 1992 fire, could be adapted for public reuse - or if the demolition already underway, should continue.
The effort proved an engaging epiphany, and in August 1998, the 1833 Mill was proudly rededicated. Journalist and local native Roger Amsden, termed it "The Miracle on Mill Street", and a NH Division of Historical Resources official said, "Belmont had regained the heart and soul of its town". Today's mill in the historical village stands as proof of the possibilities when visionary planning and community consensus are combined. 2010 Charrette
Below are news articles from 1995 through 1998 highlighting the process whereby citizens were successful in saving this historic icon.
The "Miracle on Mill Street"; Historic Belmont Building Saved by Townspeople 8/9/98 Union Leader
New Roof Slated for Historic Belmont Mill 12/17/97 Union Leader
Belmont Voters OK Restoration of Historic 163-Year-Old Mill 10/10/96 Union Leader
County Will Aid Belmont's Quest to Restore Mill 6/28/96 Union Leader
Belmont Encouraged to go Slow on Demolition of Mill Building 1/31/96 Union Leader
Belmont Voters Grant Mill Reprieve 11/8/95 Union Leader
Belmont Mill's Fate Will be Decided by Voters 10/20/95 Union Leader
Belmont Mill Repair Costs "Prohibitive" 10/14/95 Union Leader
Belmont Selectmen Want Old Mill Razed 9/29/95 Union Leader
Belmont Awaits Ruling on Mill Site Injunction 9/18/95 Union Leader
Belmont Mill Razing on Hold 9/14/95 Union Leader
Belmont Pursues Grant for Rehabilitation of Mill Complex 2/1/95 Union Leader
The original power house and stack were not damaged in the 1992 fire and were left intact during the Mill structure reconstruction.
In 2001, three years after the rededication of the Mill structure, the remaining power house and stack were demolished.
Reconstruction Team Meeting Reports
1997 Reports 01 - 08
1997-1998 Reports 09 - 13
1998 Reports 14 - 21
In 1833 William Badger, in association with others, organized the "Gilmanton Village Manufacturing Company" and the following year constructed the Mill complex for the purpose of spinning cotton and weaving cotton sheeting. The mill stimulated the construction of a much enlarged village and proposered until 1852 when a flood resulted in severe monetary losses. Governor Badger died a few months later and the mill was thereafter operated until 1909 by several owners without any particular success. Reminiscences of a New Hampshire Town
In 1909 the mill was taken over by Ipswich Mills. In 1921, after a period of decline for Ipswich, George and Walter Duffy purchased the plant and incorporated the firm known as Belmont Hosiery Company. In the post World War II period numerous improvements were made in machinery. In 1955 the plant was closed and sold at auction the following year. In 1956 Fenwick Hosiery Company purchased the mill complex and as of 1969 still employed seventy employees. Reminiscences of a New Hampshire Town
Timeline The Belmont Mill Story: Lessons in Preservation & Stewardship