Donations sought by Ashland Historical Society for Squam River Covered Bridge repairs

ASHLAND — The Historical Society has started a campaign to raise $5000, the final funds needed to repair the Squam River Covered Bridge.

The bridge was built over the outlet of Little Squam Lake in 1989-1990 by Milton Graton & Sons. It was the last covered bridge erected by the well known covered bridge restorer and builder Milton Graton, an Ashland resident. Most of the funds for the bridge came from private donations raised by the Squam River Covered Bridge Committee.

The replacement of the wooden shake roof, as well as repairs to the walkway on the lake side of the bridge, are needed. It is particularly important to repair the roof, as leakage through the deteriorating shakes will eventually damage the main structure of the bridge — the two Town lattice trusses that support it.

Rrepairs are estimated to cost around $45,000. At the March town election, the voters of Ashland approved an appropriation of $25,000 for the repairs. The Sarah S. MacMillan Foundation has given another $10,000 to the Ashland Historical Society for the restoration of the bridge. The Historical Society, which has custody of the funds left over from the original construction of the bridge, is hoping to raise the remaining $10,000 by matching all private donations up to $5000.

The Historical Society sent a mailer to all Ashland addresses prior to the election urging the voters to approve the town appropriation and incidentally asking for donations and pledges for the repairs. As of March 29 , donations and pledges added up to $1,870, over 37 percent of the amount sought from private donors.

The Historical Society will accept donations (or pledges to be honored when the repairs begin) from anyone interested in preserving the covered bridge. They may be sent to the Ashland Historical Society at P.O. Box 175, Ashland NH 03217 and should be designated as for the "Covered Bridge." All donations are tax deductible.