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KENNEDY PARK BANDSTAND RESTORATION ARCHITECTURAL RENDERING TO GO HERE Downtown Lewiston is in the midst of a tremendous revitalization. New buildings going up, existing buildings being renovated or reconstructed, and at the center of all this activity sits a jewel in Kennedy Park. Aside from the pastoral elegance the bandstand brings to the space, it has the potential to serve for many more years as staging for music, arts and other civic activities. This effort will not only bring the 1925 Bandstand back to its former glory, it will position the structure for another 100 years of community use. Won’t you please join your neighbors and contribute towards this effort? Together, we can raise the funds needed to ensure our grandchildren – and their children as well – will have this legacy to enjoy during their time in Kennedy Park. To make a donation, or obtain more information about this effort, call Bill Clifford at [PHONE REDACTED] or send him an e-mail at: [EMAIL REDACTED] Our thanks to Smith Reuter Lull Architects for the design & renderings. ---PAGE BREAK--- “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike.” John Muir, The Yosemite (1912), Kennedy Park has been one of Lewiston’s places to play, pray and gather since the early 1800’s. For much of the park’s existence a bandstand has been the focal point for musical events, civic engage ments and delight for the eye. The original structure was built in 1868. It was replaced several times since, with the last taking place in 1925. For more than a century, residents flocked to the Bandstand for sum mer concerts, festivals and other community events. It was a place where you could connect with your neighbors A place where peo ple would meet face-to-face to have important conversations, do business, and exchange ideas – and a place to address the masses. From this stage, notable politicians stood to plead for support from the community. Above: People enjoy the beauty of Lewiston’s Kennedy Park at the new bandstand built in 1868. Compilation by David Gudas and Ronald DeBlois of stereoviews from the collection of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission. Right: Spring time in the park showing bandstand after it was rebuilt in 1925. Cover postcard sketch of Kennedy Park. Cover inset: Presidential nominee John F. Kennedy visits Lewiston City Park, November 7, 1960, published in Lewiston Evening Journal. Images courtesy of Doug Hodgkin. It was home to many city activities Beyond the political rallies and musical events, the park was also home to festivals and celebrations. The long-running and popular Franco-American Festival used the Bandstand during the 1970s and 1980s. This leads us to the current Bandstand and maintain ing its role as a focal point of Kennedy Park. On November 1, 2011, the Lewiston City Council resolved that: “the bandstand in Kennedy Park is a historic structure closely tied to the history of the community…that renovation or restoration of the bandstand is both appropriate and desired by the community.” To demonstrate its support, the City Council designated up to $75,000 in Community Block Grant Funds currently appropriated for Kennedy Park improvements to be used to match donations received by the City. So, for every $2 donated to the restoration project by individuals and organizations, the city will contribute In addition to those seen here, many other Presidents, candidates for presi dent, state and local politicians have used the Bandstand as a podium for their speeches: Presidential candidates: Henry Cabot Lodge at a rally on November 7, 1960; Hubert Humphrey on October 13, 1964; and Senator Edward Kennedy November 3, 1978. President Lyndon B. Johnson visits Lewiston as part of a 5 state tour, August 20, 1966. Published in the Lewiston Evening Journal, courtesy of Doug Hodgkin. Far right: The bandstand as it was in the mid 1970s. Photo courtesy of Lewiston Sun- Journal Archives.