Most of those who attended a public forum to discuss the future of the old Hampton District Court said they would like to see the building become the town's new senior/conununity center.

The Heritage Commission, which wants to save the century-old building, hosted a public forum to discuss the future of the building last week. Other suggestions offered by residents include using the building as meeting or retail space.

Architect John Merkle, who was hired by the commission last year to look at the building and see if it is a good candidate for adaptive reuse, said while the building needs work it is structurally sound.

The commission wants to save the building because it's been a part of Hampton's history since 1873, when it was constructed where the current Centre School sits at a cost of $4,484. In 1922, the building was moved to its current location and through the years has served as Hampton's first public kindergarten, American Legion Post 35 hall, the town's fire station #2 and more recently the Hampton District Court.

"Its part of Hampton's landscape," said Heritage Commission Chairwoman Elizabeth Aykroyd.