Gazebo

Gazebo

The octagonal wood framed bandstand, circa 1874, is a late Victorian/Gothic design. It has a two-tiered bellcast roof that is separated into layers by a double bracketed boxed cornice with a diamond paneled frieze. The lower eaves are supported by large carved elbow brackets attached to square pillars with capitals that sawtooth trim. Three medallions shaped like musical notes are equally spaced at the eaves over a cross-shaped support that encloses delicate cutout filigree on each of the eight open sides. Plain ballusters and ballustrade on seven sides allows a west entrance on the eighth. Benches are found on the interior with the ballusters for backrests.

W.H. Hiestand, a local blacksmith and accomplished coronet player, took up a collection to buy the bandstand and placed it on the southwest corner of the courthouse. In 1891, philanthropist George H. Marsh moved the bandstand to Third Ward Park. In August of 1906, it was moved to the Van Wert County Fairgrounds. Over the years, the bandstand began to fall into disrepair. In September of 1979, the fair board deeded it to the historical society. 

The trustees petitioned the county commissioners to move the bandstand back to the courthouse and in March of 1980, they approved the move. However later that year, the commissioners rescinded that resolution. As a result the historical society decided to leave it at its present location and restore it. The United States Department of the Interior placed it on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1993, the historical society moved the gazebo to the front yard of the museum. A great debate ensued in the community over what color it should be painted. Many of the long-time residents insisted that it had always been white but examining paint chips the original color was matched. Because the structure had been moved, it became necessary to re-apply to the Interior Department to again be listed on the National Register. It is the only structure on the museum’s campus with this designation.