Bedford's Community Center Renovations Move Ahead

BEDFORD, NH — The Historical Society continues its efforts to restore the old Stevens-Buswell School into a community gathering space, and on Sunday residents will be able to view the work completed so far. The building, constructed in 1921 and enlarged in 1938, will be a space for concerts, exhibitions, club meetings, recitals, business functions — and anything else the community desires. But the timeline of the restoration work will depend on fundraising.

The new community center has been a part of Bedford's master plan, as currently there is not enough public gathering space in town, according to the Bedford Historical Society. Once completed, the Stevens-Buswell Community Center will have 7,000 square feet of community space and capacity for 240 people, said Susan Tufts-Moore of the Bedford Historical Society. A future research library is also envisioned.

The building is owned by the town of Bedford, which began leasing it to the Bedford Historical Society in 2010 for the purpose of renovation. Since then, the society has overseen much work, including roof replacement, asbestos removal, and restoring some of the bead board and floors, said Tufts-Moore, who is co-chairwoman of Friends of the Stevens-Buswell Community Center.

Remaining work includes painting the interior of the main floor and installing interior doors, said Tufts-Moore. Also, the original blackboard and six lights from the old schoolhouse will be brought back to life, she said.

The future community center, and the old school house, was named after two men who died while serving the United States in World War I — Willis A Stevens and Frank A. Buswell — so the building will also serve as a veterans' memorial.

Tufts-Moore noted that no tax dollars are being used for the restoration project. To keep the building open, the Bedford Historical Society will be relying on donations. To help fundraising, community members will be able to inscribe a personal message on a brick or a granite paver that will become part of the center. For more information visit www.bedfordhistoricalnh.org.

Residents will be able to see the restoration work done so far during the open house, taking place this Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Stevens-Buswell Community Center is located at 18 North Amherst Dr. in Bedford. For more information or to schedule a visit at another time, call the Bedford Historical Society at 603-471-6336.