Amherst Holiday Tree Campaign

The History

Looking into the history of the lighting of our town holiday tree, I discovered information written regarding this Amherst tradition. It was originally the idea of resident Richard Smith who headed a committee in the early 1960’s that composed a request for money for a community tree that would be strung with holiday lights, it also included funding of white window lights for the Town Hall building.  The results were magical, rumor has it the snow started to fall that night and a tradition was begun. The response to this single event was so generous that within 3 years candles, timers, a floodlight at the town hall, and other equipment had been purchased.  Many in the village followed suit. The committee planning the event continued to function under the direction of Mrs. Hamilton Dunbar for several years and then dissolved. 

 A “Christmas Celebration Coordination Committee” was needed, and the Amherst Junior Women’s Club were willing to take it on. Selectmen Peter Lyon recalls his dad, Elliot and Harding Sortevik helping this group, placing the lights on the tree for several years. It was organized in 1965 so that residents met by the tree on a Sunday at 5pm and when the lights went on during the carol sing all the houses along the green would put their window candles on. 

The tree across from the Brick School became the town tree from 1975-2009 and the Town Fire Department did the placing of the lights with their ladder truck.   The tree grew to be quite large and hard to fill with lights, it also was diseased and eventually the tree used by the Amherst Garden Club became the town tree until 2015. Once again disease struck this tree, and the committee was in search of another tree to use.  The Amherst Garden Club was willing to let the town use the tree they called their “Memory Tree”. It was in a perfect location with our beautiful Town Hall behind it. The fire department continued to place lights on the tree through 2020. Over the many years the fire department lit the tree, the tree continued to grow, making it difficult to put the lights on safely using their truck. 

Realizing the tree could look better with a dedicated group of residents to put the lights on the tree, the fire department relinquished its job of lighting the tree, to a volunteer group who had some experience. Marti Warren brought together her husband Tom, Jim and Maureen Minner, Dennis McGivern, Rick Crocker, Tilea Toy, Jeanne Johnson, and John Bement to make the 2021 Holiday Tree a breathtaking reminder of our past holiday trees!

Our Plan

It is the hope of this volunteer group to raise money to cover the cost to maintain the lights on the tree as well as cover the cost of renting a lift to put them on and remove them come spring. The tree has 2000 LED colored lights and in addition the handmade top has another 800 LEDs.  By using LEDs we avoid the problem of getting enough power to the tree and reduce the cost and environmental impact. 

Four years ago we raised funds to cover our costs for 4 years. That covered also the purchase of the lights and cords. Unfortunately, the cost of the lift has gone up to just under $1,000.00 for the two visits. The tree has grown over the last 4 years so we need the larger lift.  Eventually this 35 year old tree will be too large. We are looking into a tree that in 4 years would be ready for lights. 

Our Goal

We would like to raise $10,000 to keep this going for many years to come. We have already purchased additional lights so our costs are for the rent of the lift for two occasions each year. 

The tree lighting and festivities have always been done by a private group of volunteers, and although the town (fire, police & town hall) have helped in some ways, it really isn’t a town run function and receives no town funding.

We hope you will consider a donation to this wonderful town tradition. You do not need to be a resident of Amherst to donate. Many of you reading this probably remember how you felt the first time Santa and the crowd did the count down for the switch to be thrown for the lights. It always brought a huge cheer and a “wow” and with your donation this can continue for many years to come.

Thank you for considering a donation to this wonderful holiday event. Certainly, a tradition we want to keep alive for our beautiful town.

FOR INFORMATION ON HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Please email Marti Warren, committee chair at martiwarren@comcast.net

Tax deductible pledges or donations may be mailed to address below
or made online by clicking on the donate button above.

Amherst Community Foundation
PO Box 256
Amherst NH 03031

Please reference “Holiday Tree” on the memo field if you send a check. Thank-you.