F.P. Green Bandstand In Need Of Repair
Submitted By Larry Berkson
The other day at our weekly noon lunch, one of our colleagues
remarked that the bandstand in Dustin Park was in need of
repair. He was born and grew up in the building next door called
the “Beehive” so had considerable interest in it. Subsequently,
four of us went for a look and, indeed, found that it could use
some tender loving care. Because it is an important part of
Pittsfield’s history, I thought it might be a good idea to
explain the bandstand’s significance to newcomers to the
community.
In 1873 a local merchant and head of the Merrimack Brass Band,
Herman Greenleaf, made an offer to play free concerts if a
bandstand was built in what was then called Academy Park. The
money was raised, the stand erected, and the first concert given
in June 1874. Concerts continued regularly until about 1887 and
sporadically thereafter. In 1911 and 1912 Sherburne J. Winslow,
head of the Pittsfield Aqueduct Company, paid for the town’s
well-known American Band to play a series of concerts there.
By 1917 the old wooden bandstand had become dilapidated and the
following year a new one was erected by Contractor J. H. Wood at
a cost of $1,000. Franklin Pierce Green, New Hampshire
president’s namesake, owner of the Pittsfield Shoe Company which
employed over 200 people, and a man heavily involved in
lumbering operations, donated the money. Mr. Green was also a
director of the Pittsfield National Bank, Farmers Savings Bank,
and Pittsfield Savings Bank. At the time he had been affiliated
with several local bands for over 20 years.
Octagonal in shape, the bandstand was made of fieldstones and
cement. A Japanese pagoda roof supported by eight colonial
pillars covered it. Interestingly, Pittsfield Power and Light
immediately electrified a light above and lights below the
roof.
Clifton Smith directed concerts there from then until 1930. They
were sponsored by the town in amounts ranging from $100 to $200
annually. Nathaniel Drake also made substantial donations to the
band over the years. After Conductor Smith retired, Arthur F.
Nevers led a series of summer concerts using remnants of the
American Band and players from his own band in Concord.
In the spring of 1937 George E. Freese, Jr. organized the
Pittsfield Boy’s Band and it became a mainstay of concerts in
the park until World War II. After the war it was revived and
its name was changed to the Pittsfield Community Band, playing
until 1960 when due to dwindling membership it was
discontinued.
Throughout the 1950s, 60s, and 70s concerts were attended by
several hundred people with popcorn being sold by the American
Legion next to the Beehive during the early years. Colonel J.
Frank Drake annually sponsored many of these concerts.
In 1982 the Freese Brothers Band was formed and began playing in
the park. They became an important part of the community’s
fabric and still play today but, unfortunately, not in Dustin
Park.
In November 1977 tragedy struck the bandstand. Vandals cut the
columns and felled the pagoda roof to the ground. Two youths
were charged with the nefarious deed and when brought before
Judge Giddis he was so enraged that he required $2,000 bail in
CASH! They were convicted and sentenced to 12 months in jail
with nine months suspended and two years of probation. The
bandstand was rebuilt and after several renovations stands there
today.
For many years now, the bandstand has been used only
occasionally as when the Shaw Brothers played there during the
grand opening of Frank Lyman Park in 2000 or at times during Old
Home Day. It might be nice to revive the tradition of having
four or five concerts during the summer as Barnstead does.
In any event, the bandstand is in need of repair. On one of the
columns the graffiti needs to be covered with a new coat of
paint. Two or three of the columns need new bases similar to the
others. Repair work also needs to be completed on the light
fixtures. As owner of the park it is the town’s responsibly for
its upkeep. To encourage the selectmen to take an interest, an
individual has already pledged $1,000 to the project. Perhaps
others will join in.
