Belmont Village Revitalization
Many changes have occurred in the community over the years since it was first settled, originally as part of the grant for Gilmantown. For many of those years, public services including public water have been available to residents and businesses within the Village area. In the early 1950s the municipal water system in the Village was completely renewed and expanded; and in the early 1980s a municipal sewer system was installed as part of the regional Winnipesaukee River Basin Project.
However, it may be said that the modern Village Revitalization initiative first began in 1995 with the construction of a new Fire Station funded by donations and volunteer labor. Closely following was the reconstruction and rededication of the Belmont Mill for community purposes. This was another community spear-headed project facilitated by the first PlanNH Charrette in 1996.
PlanNH Project Profile 1996 PlanNH
In the intervening years between 1998 and 2010 several additional successful projects within the Village included:
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Highway Improvements
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Pedestrian Ways including sidewalks linking the Village to both the High School and Elementary School
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Veteran's Monument Reconstruction
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Community Events such as "Deck the Village", Community Concerts, Historic Walking Tours
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Ride Share Lot
- Bandstand Park Dedication
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War Memorial
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Energy efficient lighting upgrade at the Mill and Sgt Park
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Expanded and enhanced Village parking
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Purchase of the Corner Meeting House for community meetings
The community continues to express its support of such Village revitalization through their donations, volunteerism, particpation and appreciation.
A 2010 Plan NH Charrette was held to develop a comprehensive Vision for the Village. This website has been created to distribute information, gather comments, provide answers and document this multi-year project to revitalize the village and provide those services and ammenities designed to create a "A Village For All". Vision of Belmont's Future mapped out during intensive charrette Winnisquam Echo
Revitalization News Belmont Community Newsletter 10/11
Excellent references for additional information on the history of the community include:
- Daniel Lancaster, The History of Gilmanton, (Gilmanton, Alfred Prescott, 1845)
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Wallace P. Rhodes and the Centennial Book Committee, Reminiscences of a New Hampshire Town; The Belmont Centennial 1869-1969, (Concord, The Capital Offset Co., 1968)
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Diane M. Marden and the Belmont Historical Society, Belmont, Postcard History Series, (Portsmouth, Arcadia, 2006)
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Marden, Diane M., Belmont NH Heritage; Through The Years,
Charrette Listening Sessions
Review the specific issues and desires identified for Belmont's Village during the 2010 Plan NH Charrette. What did residents want as services and facilities in this Community Center? What did they identify as important to preserve and important to add during this multi-year intiative?
Click on the session picture to the left to find out!
Village Business News
Business News from the Village
Rustic Raven Bakery and Cafe Winnisquam Echo
A New Face occupies a familiar place as Village Store reopens Winnisquam Echo