Help Save Bob’s Piano – is Fully Funded!
The historic grand piano in the Peterborough NH Town Hall needed to be restored.
Update as of 11/28/25: The piano restoration is COMPLETE and the piano is back in the Town Hall. Join us for a special event to celebrate the completion of the restoration, scheduled for April 19, 2026.
The restored Peterborough Chickering Grand Piano
Piano Restoration Photos
Photos of the restoration in REVERSE chronological order, so the newest photos are at the top. All photos taken by master restorer Jim Ialeggio.
Update as of 10/01/25:
A Major Milestone
Update as of 08/25/25:
Major keyboard work(at least) was done in 1938(signed keys), plus original keyboard worker signed the keyset from 1897 or so…name was Magnusen.
Bass section keys were a mess and not sure how many were replacements in ’38. Some were odd and took a fair amount of time to figure out how to respace and make the various offsets work.
Update as of 07/06/25:
Short video of key prep for balance rail bushings above
Main key pivot holes were 150 yrs worn. Cutting out the original hole to replace with new tight hole
New key pivot hole
Update as of 06/18/25:
Update as of 05/21/25:
Update as of 04/07/25:
Update as of 02/28/25:
Click for a short video showing the hand planing of the Soundboard
Update as of 02/05/25: photos of the restoration in progress
Update as of 01/27/25: photos of the restoration in progress
Below is the initial information we provided in 2024 as we launched the successful fundraising campaign.
Imagine the lively contra dance tunes that have echoed through the Peterborough Town House, all accompanied by this Chickering 110B grand piano, built in the 1890s. This instrument has been a staple of dances and concerts for decades. Here are some facts about the piano:
- This grand piano was gifted to the Town of Peterborough on the occasion of the Town House’s grand opening in 1918.
- Chickering & Sons was the first piano manufacturer in the United States.
- Local contra dance musician Bob McQuillen, who played this piano for 60 years, celebrated its rich sound and history.
- Bob’s mentor, Johnny Trombly, a member of the Ralph Page Orchestra in the first half of the 20th century, played for dances on this instrument.
Expert piano restorer Jim Ialeggio has assessed the piano and shared:
“This Chickering 110B grand piano has the potential to be an outstanding performance piano, not only providing a robust and unique bass for Peterborough’s contra music but also serving as an outstanding instrument for any chamber music concert series.”
“Although unique, a properly restored Chickering is a superior instrument. Chickering pianos are desirable for their exceptional quality and craftsmanship, deep rich tone quality, and attractive designs, making restoration and preservation well worth the effort and expense.”
The Town has committed to maintaining, storing, and caring for the piano going forward, ensuring that it continues to serve our community well into the future.
Restoring this piano is not just about fixing an instrument; it’s about both honoring the legacy of local musicians like Bob McQuillen and maintaining the joy of live music in Peterborough for generations to come. With your support, we can unveil the restored Chickering in 2025, celebrating our musical heritage and community spirit.
The Peterborough Transcript of March 7, 1918, celebrated the opening of the Town House (Town Hall) and specifically mentions the Chickering piano.
The state of the piano as of November 3, 2024.
The piano was moved to the restorer’s shop in December of 2024. The restoration will take 9-12 months. The Monadnock Folklore Society will host a concert featuring the piano when it returns to the Town Hall.
This project was funded in part by a grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation’s Putnam Foundation.
