Town of Hampton - Lane Memorial Library

- HERITAGE COMMISSION -
The Heritage Commission, appointed by the Selectmen, is charged with the consideration of the
proper recognition, use, and protection of historical and cultural resources, both natural and manmade,
in the town of Hampton. As part of this process the Commission reviews all applications for
demolition permits in Hampton and requires documentation of the buildings to be removed. In 2006
seventeen applications were considered, a decrease from last year but about average for other years.
The documentation received from the owners of the properties to be demolished will remain as part of
the permanent records of the town.
The Commission has tried to generate a dialogue about the fate of both the Old Grammar
School/District Courthouse. We received a preservation planning grant for the Grammar School from
the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance which gave us the opportunity to work with a local
preservation architect, John Merkle. The building was determined to be in good condition, and Mr.
Merkle joined the Commission at an open meeting in June to solicit community input for the future of
the building. An overwhelming majority of attendees wanted to see some type of community center
housed in the building. The whole town-owned area around the old school is now part of a planning
process sponsored by the town, and the information provided after the meeting has been given to the
planners. Similarly, the Commission has
considered the fate of the town clock, which is
presently being repaired by Harvey Webber. Its
future site is as yet undetermined, but local
resident and architect Don Lavallee has worked
with the Commission to suggest possible sites
for a clock tower.
The Dalton Family Association requested
permission to place a stone honoring the Dalton
family in Founders Park. One of our members,
Roger Syphers, was able to find and place an
appropriate stone in the Park. A dedication
ceremony was held during the Association's
meeting in October.
Roger Syphers (second from left) and his crew
set a stone honoring the Dalton Family
In the next year the Heritage Commission will offer the Hampton Heritage Marker program to
designate buildings important to the heritage of the town. By offering markers to owners of such
properties at cost, the Commission hopes to recognize buildings that have endured and contributed in a
meaningful way to the heritage of Hampton and to encourage their continuing care and preservation.
Details will be published early in the year.
Members:
Elizabeth Aykroyd, Chairman
Maryanne McAden, Vice-Chairman
Bonnie McMahon, Secretary
Ben Moore, Selectmen's Representative
June Bean
Fred Rice
Roger Syphers
Susan Erwin, Alternate (appointed September)
Allen Palmer, Alternate
Richard Reniere, Alternate
Brian Warburton, Alternate (until September)
Arleen Andreozzi, Town Clerk
Bonnie Thimble, Liaison with the
Conservation Commission (until August)
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