Bement Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bement Covered Bridge
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | Center Rd., Bradford, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 0.1 acres (0.040 ha) |
| Built | 1854 |
| NRHP reference No. | 76000128 |
| Added to NRHP | November 21, 1976 |
The Bement Covered Bridge is a special old wooden covered bridge in Bradford, New Hampshire. It crosses the Warner River on Center Road. This bridge was built way back in 1854. It is one of the few covered bridges from the 1800s that are still standing in New Hampshire. Because it is so old and important, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
Contents
What Makes This Bridge Special?
The Bement Covered Bridge is found just south of Bradford's main town area. It carries Center Road over the Warner River. You can find it near New Hampshire Route 103 and the Bradford Pines Natural Area.
How Was It Built?
This bridge uses a special design called a Long truss. A truss is a strong framework that helps the bridge hold up weight. The Long truss was invented by a man named Stephen Long. This design makes the bridge very sturdy.
What Does It Look Like?
The part of the bridge where cars drive is about 63 feet (19 meters) long. The roof is a bit longer, at 71 feet (21.6 meters). The road inside is wide enough for one car at a time. The bridge sits on strong stone supports. These supports have been partly covered with concrete over time.
The bridge has a pointed roof, like a house. Its sides are covered with wooden boards that stand up straight. The ends of the roof, above where cars enter, are covered with flat wooden boards called clapboards. The opening for cars is about 10 feet 6 inches (3.2 meters) high.
A Look Back in Time: The Bridge's History
The Bement Covered Bridge was built in 1854. It is actually the third bridge to be built in this exact spot! People used to think that Stephen Long, who invented the truss design, built it himself. However, there are no old papers to prove this.
Who Was Samuel Bement?
The bridge is named after a local person named Samuel Bement. Town records from 1818 mentioned that the second bridge in this spot was near his property. That's how the bridge got its name!
Keeping the Bridge Strong
Over the years, the Bement Covered Bridge has been repaired many times. Some of the big repairs happened in 1947 and again in 1968-1969. These repairs help keep the old bridge safe and strong for people to use today.
