Perth Bandstand - Perth, Ontario
Posted by: 
elyob
N 44° 53.931 W 076° 14.963
18T E 401355 N 4972473
The bandstand is in the Market Square behind the Town Hall.
Waymark Code: WMZG5G
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date Posted: 11/06/2018
Views: 3
The formal street address for the bandstand is 80 Gore Street East. According to the Ontario Heritage Trust web site, the bandstand was built in 1931. The 1852 date sign on the structure refers to the founding of the Perth Band. The following text is taken from a 2014 letter from the corporation of the town of Perth.
Reason
for
Designation:
A
raised
octagonal
bandstand
in
the
traditional
style
consisting
of
a base
of
local
sandstone
and
concrete
elements
surmounted
by
a
simply
detailed
wood
structure.
Since
its
erection,
the
bandstand
has
been
the
focus
of
concerts
performed
by
the
Perth
Citizens
Band
on
a
regular
basis
each
summer
and
a
gathering
place
for
many
community
events.
Statement
of
Cultural
and
Historical
Value
or
Interest:
The
Perth
Citizens
Band
lays
claim
to
being
the
oldest,
continuously
operating,
Town
band
in
Canada;
having
been
formed
in
1884.
Several short-lived
predecessors
dated
back
to
the
1850's.
A
plaque
has
been
erected
above
the
stairs
of
the
Bandstand
which
reads
"Since
1852"
reflecting
the
Band's
origins.
The
Band
has
established
an
enviable
track
record
of
musical variety
and
is
one
of
the
standing
pillars
among
town
arts
organizations.
lt
is
committed
to
regular
summer
concerts
as
well
as
an
annual
Christmas
concert
and
performances
at
Town
events
such
as
the
Festival
of
the
Maples,
the
Santa
Claus
Parade
and
the
Perth
Fair.
In
addition,
the
Band
frequently
acts
as
an
ambassador
of
the
Town
in
other
Eastern
Ontario
communities.
There
is
no
doubt
that
it
is
a
valuable
contributor
to
the
trademark
of
Heritage
Perth.
The
Bandstand
was
built
in
1931
and
officially
opened
on
July
31st,
1931.
lt
was
designed
and
its
construction
supervised
by
the
Town
Foreman,
Mr.
W.G.
Howie,
using
Town
tradesmen,
at
a cost
of
$1,700.
A
major
renovation,
in
the
same
style
and
using
many
original
elements
such
as
the
roof,
took
place
in
1988
under
the
direction
of
Commonwealth
Resource
Management
Ltd.
Architectural
Value:
The
bandstand
is
constructed
on
a
raised
concrete
base
in
an
octagonal form.
The
exterior
of
the
base
is
dressed
with
rock-faced
cut
sandstone,
broken
coursed.
Eight
(8),
similar
stone
column
bases
support
slender,
slightly
tapered,
wood
columns.
Low,
decorated
concrete
walls
fillthe
spaces
between
the
columns
except
for
an
entry
staircase
protruding
on
the
east
side
which
is
similar
in
construction
and
materials
to
the
base
walls
and
is
decorated
with
cast
concrete
spheres.
Supported
by
large,
simple
wood
beams
with
wide
sotfits,
the
roof
is
an
eight-sided
pyramidal
form
surmounted
by
a
flag
pole.
A
hardwood
slatted
ceiling
curves
downward
and
inward
to
a
reverse
peak
in
the
centre
-
a
unique
feature
of
the
design.
Heritage
Attributes:
The
octagonal
shape
of
this
composition
is used
in
many
of
its
elements
and
is
the
most
significant
feature
of
the
structure.
In
addition
to
this
aspect
and
its
prime
location
in
a
park-like
setting
in
the
centre
of
Town,
the
following
components
are
important
in retaining
its
heritage
character:
The rock-faced, local sandstone laid in a broken coursed manner.
The simply detailed, low concrete walls.
The plain, undecorated columns.
The elaborate, re-curved wood ceiling.
The medium pitched, pyramdal roof which evokes a circus tent.