Hampstead Meetinghouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Hampstead Meetinghouse
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | Emerson Ave., Hampstead, New Hampshire |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1749 |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000301 |
| Added to NRHP | April 10, 1980 |
The Hampstead Meetinghouse is a very old building in Hampstead, New Hampshire. It was built a long time ago, starting in 1749. This special building was used for two main things: as a church and as a town hall. It's one of the best-preserved meetinghouses from the 1700s in New Hampshire. Because it's so important, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
Contents
What is a Meetinghouse?
A meetinghouse was a very important building in early American towns. It wasn't just a place for religious services. It was also where people gathered for town meetings. This meant important decisions about the town were made there. It was the center of both spiritual and community life.
What Does the Building Look Like?
The Hampstead Meetinghouse is in the middle of Hampstead village. It's a two-story building made of wood. It has a pointed roof and its outside walls are covered with wooden boards. Unlike many churches built later, its main door is on the long side of the building. This door is decorated with columns and a triangular shape above it.
The Bell Tower
Next to the main part of the building, there's a tall bell tower. This tower has another entrance at its base. The tower goes up to a square section, then changes to an eight-sided open area where the bell hangs. On top of that is a tall, pointed spire.
Inside the Meetinghouse
When it was first built, the inside was one big room. There was a balcony, called a gallery, around three sides of the room. People would sit in special enclosed seats called box pews on the main floor. There was also a raised platform for the speaker, called a pulpit, with a special curved board above it to help the sound carry. Today, the upper level has been fully floored over, creating a complete second story.
A Long History
Work on the Hampstead Meetinghouse began in 1749. However, it took a long time to finish! The inside walls weren't fully plastered until 1768. This means it took almost 20 years to complete the building.
Changes Over Time
In 1793, some changes were made to the meetinghouse. This is when the bell tower was added. A porch was also built at that time. The bell you see in the tower today was put there in 1809. This bell is very special because it was made by Paul Revere, Jr. He was the son of Paul Revere, the famous hero from the American Revolution. This bell might be the only one left from his company.
New Uses for the Building
The building stopped being used for church services in 1837. Later, in 1856, the gallery level was completely enclosed. This created a full second floor. This new space was then used for plays and other performances. The Hampstead Meetinghouse has truly served its community in many ways over the centuries!
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Rockingham County, New Hampshire
- New Hampshire Historical Marker No. 247: The Bell of Hampstead Meetinghouse
