Center Harbor Turns 200!
1997 was “the year to be here!” Ask anyone that attended any of the multiple events of the year. Yes, it was the 200th birthday of Center Harbor in 1997, its’ birth date being December 7, 1797. There was so much to cover; the birthday party was started a little early.
January kicked off the year with a winter outing at the Red Hill Inn. There were over 85 people that braved the cold, icy winds and enjoyed the introduction of all the events that were to follow. In February, there was a winter carnival that was so popular that everyone thought it should be an annual event. The Beard contest in April seemed to draw a lot of attention from the media. There were pictures of bearded men in most of the states’ newspapers. Well over 100 people crowded into the hall at the Congregational church on a Saturday night in April to watch haircuts.
Spring brought out still more people to watch the tree planting in the park. Spring also displayed the work of those that had done the fall planting. New gardens were popping up all over town. The gardens of Center Harbor had people talking all year long. It was a beautiful display well planned and maintained. May was the Civil War Living History display, combined with garden planting and the celebration of Memorial Day. June saw the Reenactment of the landing of Moses Senter and John Bean. The Mount Washington Cruise was a “sell out” for a beautiful three hour evening sail on the lake.
The Bicentennial quilt was begun in July of 1996 and twelve women worked on the project for twelve months. It was presented to the town just before the parade. The Bicentennial quilt won the “best of all floats” in the annual parade. The bandstand, started on Mother’s day, was to be completed by the 4th of July. However, the floor was just being put in place two days prior to the Fourth of July celebration; the dedication was on the 6th. It was finally completed December 3rd, just in time to decorate for the Christmas season.
The Town Band was the first to use the new bandstand on the Fourth of July. That night there were thousands gathered to hear the band and watch the fabulous town fireworks. (Some people were stuck in traffic in Center Harbor for over 45 minutes that night after the show!). Over 250 people showed up for each of the Friday night band concerts on the new town bandstand. All the events of that weekend clicked off with only minor interruptions of brief rain showers. The dedication of the bandstand included several speeches and a concert by the Freese Brothers Big Band. During the weekend there was a Commemorative Postal Cancellation under the tent. The two seals used were the results of a contest at the Inter-Lakes High School that was held in April. The pancake breakfast was sold out and the Chicken Bar-B-Que was a winner. All this was influenced by the festive atmosphere supplied by a big circus tent pitched on the Town Hall lawn and decorations to match the occasion. The annual parade was the “best ever”, as expressed by many of the life-time residents.
August was also a highlight that brought out the tents again. The Harrington Catalog had a tent sale that made people take note. There were musical groups on the bandstand and a display of vintage autos in the park. The two day event had something for everyone. Yes, there was also a picnic in the park featuring a horseshoe contest on the beach. A cold Sunday in September was the time chosen for the Harvest concert. It was COLD! The music was Hot!
The final meeting of the Bicentennial Committee was held at the Chequers Harbor Restaurant on December 6th. A short business meeting was held, followed by a fun gathering of over 60 people who talked and laughed recalling the past year’s events. Friday the 7th, the actual date of the founding of Center Harbor, there was a service at the Congregational Church. The Carter Mountain Brass was there to help bring close to the year’s celebration. They also accompanied our trek to the bandstand to sing Christmas Carols. The fellowship continued with hot drinks and food at the church after the caroling.
Did you miss “the year to be here!”? The Centre Harbor Historical Society has been named curator of all pictures and news clippings, and is “guardian of the quilt” and all of the Bicentennial artifacts. The Bicentennial quilt can be viewed at the Town Hall in Cary Mead room. The Greater Meredith Chamber of Commerce honored Center Harbor with the Civic Project Award of 1997 for the new town bandstand. A 45 minute video is being prepared as a keepsake of this bicentennial year.
Just think! The Bicentennial Committee started out without any tax funding. Over thirty-three thousand dollars was raised to run the year’s Bicentennial events. Sixty-five thousand dollars was raised, plus countless donations of time and materials, to build and develop the bandstand area. The total funding was done without one dollar of tax money being spent. That was an accomplishment many thought to be impossible.
All in all, it took a lot of dedication by many committed people to bring the Bicentennial Year to Center Harbor; the individuals that showed up each month for the committee meetings, the 100 or more that gave money to support the activities and the bandstand, those that gave time and talent to make it happen, and most of all a community that showed their appreciation for the time spent by attending the Bicentennial events.
Center Harbor, you did yourself proud in 1997! Let’s keep the spirit alive and well.
Seth Ira Stearns, Co-Chairman,
Center Harbor Bicentennial Committee
— Where were you during the 1997 festivities? Did you have any favorite moments? Take a moment to share them with us by leaving a comment below. Thanks! 
