By Ryan O’Connor
Staff Writer

Resident Donna Dunn said the Dunbarton town hearse has more frequent flier miles than she does.

The hearse hasn’t been in commission since it was nearly incinerated in a 1958 fire destroying a storage house at the Dunbarton Center Cemetery.

If all goes well, however, Dunn and fellow residents Gail Martel, Nancy Frost and Bob Boynton will have the hearse refurbished by the new year after forming a committee aimed at doing exactly that.

“We’re hoping to have most of this done before the snow flies,” said Dunn, who also plans to place an image of the refurbished hearse on the annual town report.

The group has been on a mission for more than two years to restore the antique, which was found dilapidated and filled with animal ***.

In the meantime, the hearse is transported from one location to another, while several interested residents work on various aspects of its restoration.

Originally purchased by the town in 1871 for $345, the town’s second hearse was in service for roughly 87 years before it was severely damaged in the fire.

Now, with restorations underway, the work is grueling but worthwhile.

“It’s been a learning process, that’s for sure,” said Martel. “We’ve kind of gotten really nitpicky, just continuously looking at pieces and trying to guess where they go.”

Everyone in the group has provided their share of work, as Boynton has made new wheels and a new buggy shaft for the hearse and Martel will reupholster the interior.

“It’s exciting to be a part of this and it’s unusual to say the least,” said Martel. “Whenever I go somewhere and talk about it, people look at me and say, ‘You’re doing what?’”

In addition to committee members, several other residents have assisted in the process, including Jan VanDeBogart, who is sandblasting, painting and trimming the structure.

“They needed somebody to do it and I’ve done body work all my life,” said VandeBogart. “It’s going to be fun to do this and I’ll be glad to finally see it done and in its little hearse house.”

Carpenters Harvey Provencher and Bernie Bastian donated their skills and Mast Road Lumber donated wood, said Dunn, who added that JP Chemical came to the rescue when work was halted because of an active infestation of powder post beetles.

In addition, Frost and Beth Lamarca scoured through old town records dating back to 1869, while Martel and Dunn made several field trips to photograph other hearses, gather information and material samples.

Dunn said the only thing still missing is roughly $500 for a new, low-maintenance hearse house.

Those interested in making a tax deductible donation may send a check to: Hearse Restoration and Preservation Trust, Town Offices, 1011 School St., Dunbarton, NH 03046-4508.

History

When the hearse’s storage building burned to the ground in 1958, the hearse was pulled from the fire and doused with water, but the driver’s leather seat and canvas roof were destroyed, the glass was broken, all the interior fabric was destroyed and the two front wheels were damaged beyond repair.

Most of the damaged hearse was transported to the former town dump on Clinton Street and the rest was taken to the town roller shed on Robert Roberts Road.

And that is only the beginning of the hearse’s travels.

In 1970, when plans were made to destroy the roller shed and take the hearse to the dump, Kevin and Guy Bartlett saved the hearse and took it to their home on Long Pond Road in Dunbarton. 

In 1972, it was taken to the chicken coop at the home of Donald and Thelma Peaslee, who belonged to the Dunbarton Historical Society.

Dunn said the Peaslees’ intended to restore the hearse, however, Thelma died recently with the comforting knowledge that the committee was working to finally achieve the goal.

In 1981, the hearse was moved to the home of Wayne Mills before making its way to the Historical Society Blacksmith Museum in 1983.

In 2002, the museum relinquished the hearse, citing a lack of space and inability to restore it. Resident Bud Marcou intervened and saved the hearse from making its way to the dump, storing it in his barn on Mansion Road.

In 2004, after the hearse restoration committee was formed, it was moved to Meighan Barn on Gorham Pond Road for cleaning and then, in 2005, it was moved to Bob Boynton’s garage on Mansion Road for repairs.

This year, the hearse was moved to Provencher’s barn and workshop, where he and some friends handled major woodwork and further repairs.

Now, the hearse sits in VandeBogart’s garage, where Dunn and company hope the final restorations and painting will be made.

“It has been an interesting journey, but it truly has been fun to work on,” said Dunn. “Even when we’re done with the hearse, we will still be striving to complete more research.”