Townsend has always been a community that honors its past while looking toward the future, and we certainly showed it on June 10, 2026! We recreated the town meeting of June 20, 1776, where Townsend voted to support our country’s independence, in the original building where that town meeting occurred. We had an awesome parade with over 40 groups participating, and we followed it up with a jam-packed Old Home Day on the Common.
Thanks to June Cloutier, Heather Rochette, and all who posted pictures on Facebook!
Re-creation of the Town Meeting of June 20, 1776
John Barrett as Town Moderator Richard Wyer, Ken Mattson as Town Clerk James HosleyFather Maher from St. Johns – opening prayerEileen BarnacoatJock Snaith as James LockeLydia Mearls ringing the church bellKen Mattson as Town Clerk James HosleyCarol WrightNate MearlsJohn Barrett asking Father Maher what that new-fangled thing might be
The parade from Scales Lane to the Common
Grand Marshal Betty Mae Tenney driven by Lisa WallatWilder Hager in the bike paradeSquannacook Greenways organizing the bike paradeDee Bus’s antique busGlen Shepherd as Uncle Sam with bike paradeTownsend Rod and Gun with the Boy ScoutsAndrew, Glen, and Gary Shepherd in front of Shepherd family history floatTownsend Ashby Youth Soccer AssociationLindsay Morand and Charlotte’s Web floatTownsend Fire Department Color GuardDaughters of the American RevolutionTownsend MinutemenTownsend Historical Society Coopering floatAnderson Funeral Home antique hearseFlag CommitteeTownsend 4-HKing FarmGreat American Marching BandTownsend Fire BuffsBill Rideout and granddaughter Ada CiampaglioDCR with Smokey the BearHatch Hager and Levi Greenough lead the Townsend MinutemenFront: Eileen and Chris Barnacoat, rear: Jock SnaithDisabled American VeteransUncle Sam wants you: to have fun!Townsend Republican Committee King FarmBill of Rights FloatNathan French with the Great American Marching BandTownsend Ashby Youth Soccer floatDisabled American Veterans with Chip MannThe Rollo FamilyScarsdale for State RepRock and Roll Gymnastics NH Dadkart Racing LeagueFirst Baptist ChurchBill Rideout couldn’t keep up with the kids on bikesChrist Church TownsendChris Lyons for State Rep
Old Home Day on the Common
John Barrett reading the Declaration of IndependenceJock Snaith and Ada CiampaglioGreat food from the Pepperell Lions ClubLaura Doell and the Friends of the Townsend LibraryFriends of the Townsend LibraryTownsend RecreationDonated cake from Sweet ‘n SaltyDonated cake from HannafordTravis Rollo joined by his father BrianPetting zooJim Sager wishing it was all for him!Eleanor Gavazzi reading the Declaration of IndependenceTownsend Military Band ended the great day with a stirring concertGrand Marshall Betty Mae Tenney with 250th Committee chair John BarrettDan Lacroix as a house joinerBev and Jim Sager serving the Sweet n’ Salty donated cakeNick, Pam, and Rosie Snaith serving up root beer floatsThanks to Susan Gerken for her sage advice!Marshals Bev and Jim Sager and Niles Busler
Event program
Click the image above to download the program.
Sponsors
Founding Sponsor
Arrow Septic
Independence Partner
Renowned historian Richard Norton SmithDee Bus ServiceThe Meehan Family
Patriot Supporter
Brookside Farm
Chris and Eileen Barnacoat
Happy Birthday America. Jim and Bev Sager
John and Mary Barrett
Colonial Friend
Your humble organizing committee
Bill Rideout, John Barrett (chair), Jock Snaith, Chris Barnacoat, Eileen Barnacoat, Bev Sager, and Jim Sager
