Stevens-Buswell Community Center
Our Story
In February 2022, The Bedford Historical Society signed a fifty-year lease with the Town of Bedford, for the operation of a community center in the historic Stevens-Buswell School. Constructed in 1921, the school is a beloved fixture, a place rooted to Bedford’s past, being refurbished for its next chapter as the Stevens-Buswell Community Center (SBCC).
We have raised over $730,000 toward rehabilitation. Milestone Engineering Inc., (Concord, NH) is our Project Manager and Sullivan Construction of Bedford has assisted us with subcontractors and technical assistance.
Our Goals
The Stevens-Buswell Community Center seeks to engage as wide a spectrum of groups and individuals in the community as possible, and encourages a broad range of uses. At a minimum, it will provide more meeting space for business and social groups, special event space and concerts. We envision coffee meet-ups, yoga, and health classes, candidate nights, Town happenings and space for family functions, (showers, anniversaries, etc).
Our Historic Building
The Stevens-Buswell School was built in the town center in 1921, named for two Bedford men who lost their lives in World War I. It was the first two-room school in Bedford. The school served students from grades one through eight. It continued to function as a school until 1967. After that, the building served as the Bedford Town Offices, Bedford Police Department, Bedford Municipal Court and finally, as home to the Marconi Museum.
Project Plan:
COMPLETE
Phase I:
Building Stabilization
Roof replacement and environmental remediation
60% COMPLETE
Phase II:
Required to Open – Main Floor
$350,000 still needed to open. Complete HVAC and electrical work, paint, trim and furnishings.
Projects Needed to complete Phase II, SBCC
- Septic System
- HVAC
- Three Restrooms
- Floor Refinishing
- Window Restoration
- Two Stairwells
- Lighting Fixtures
- Furniture
- Security System
- Internet/TV/Telephone
T.B.D.
Phase III:
Full Utilization of Space
Finish ground floor rooms.
Renovations in Process
Friends of the SBCC
The Stevens-Buswell Community Center Committee is comprised of Bedford residents, from a wide array of backgrounds, all with a deep appreciation and love for the school and its reuse as a thriving community.
The Stevens-Buswell Community Center Committee Members:
- Gwen Broder
- Dee Caron
- Ron Cavalho
- Scott Crandall
- Claire Day
- Bill Gere
- Clark Gott
- Paul Kfoury
- Richard Moore
- Beverly Thomas
- Susan Tufts-moore
- Gene Van Loan
- Glenn Wiggin
- Greg Zimmermann
- Rebecca Acorn
To make a donation online, use the donate button below
Or, send checks to:
Bedford Historical Society Treasurer, BHS
24 North Amherst Road
Bedford, NH 03110
