Swasey Pavilion: Exeter’s Bandstand
At the meeting of Front and Water Streets, Swasey Pavilion gives Exeter’s downtown a distinctive gathering place. Commonly called the bandstand, the circular structure was built in the summer of 1916 as a gift from industrialist Ambrose Swasey. Its architect was Henry Bacon, best known for designing the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Bacon brought the formality of classical architecture to a small public structure. Slender columns support a broad circular roof above a raised platform, with steps leading toward the performance space. Open on all sides, the pavilion allows music to carry into the surrounding streets while giving musicians a prominent place within the town center.
Swasey’s gift provided a permanent setting for a community tradition. Band concerts brought people together for entertainment, conversation, and an evening in town. The pavilion gave those gatherings an architectural focus, placing public music alongside the shops, streets, and civic buildings of downtown Exeter.
The Exeter Brass Band’s performances became closely associated with the structure. The Historical Society records its summer concerts at the pavilion, continuing the connection between the bandstand and local musical life. Its role has also extended beyond concerts, making it a recognizable focal point for community celebrations.
Swasey Pavilion demonstrates how a relatively small building can shape the identity of a town. Its importance rests in both its design and its shared purpose: a lasting gift that made room for music and public gathering in the heart of Exeter.
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