The Swasey Trilogy

Ambrose Swasey

If you live in or near Exeter, you’ve heard the name Swasey. There’s Swasey Parkway, Swasey Pavilion – better known as “The Bandstand” – and Swasey Park Pavilion. In this episode of the Exeter History Minute, Barbara explains the story behind all the Swasey swag. This history minute is generously sponsored by Service Credit Union.

the Swasey Pavilion

The Swasey Pavilion -- or the Exeter Bandstand, as it is commonly known -- is more than just a place for the band to play. It's a work of art! Built in the summer of 1916, the bandstand was designed by Henry Bacon -- the architect of the Lincoln Memorial -- and gifted to the town by industrialist Ambrose Swasey. In this history minute, Barbara pays tribute to this Exeter landmark and treasure. This episode is brought to you by Stratham-Newfields Veterinary Hospital.

Swasey Parkway

In 1929, a town philanthropist offered to create a beautiful parkway on the site of the town dump; a little more than two years later, the spot was transformed into a community gathering place. In the third episode of the Exeter History Minute Swasey trilogy, Barbara tells the story of Ambrose Swasey and our town's permanent “beauty spot,” the Swasey Parkway. This history minute is brought to you by A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words of Exeter and White Mountain Wealth Management of Raymond James.

Special thanks to Sue Lowther for allowing us to use her 2015 image of the Swasey Parkway Pavilion.