Closing In On The Finish Line:
Leahy Secures
$250,000
For Chandler Centennial Project
…Groundbreaking
Ceremony And Celebration Planned For Saturday In Randolph
(FRIDAY, June 26) -- U.S.
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced Tuesday that Chandler Center for
the Arts will receive a $250,000 federal grant through a partnership
with the Preservation Trust of Vermont for the rehabilitation of the
Chandler Music Hall and Gallery in Randolph. These funds, plus an
anticipated fundraising effort announced this weekend, will bring
Chandler’s capital campaign within $50,000 of the completion of the
original $3.2 million dollar campaign. Leahy, a senior member of the
Senate Appropriations Committee, secured the funds as part of the 2009
federal budget.
“The Chandler Board is
delighted to learn of the federal grant obtained for our Centennial
Project through the efforts of Senator Patrick Leahy and the
Preservation Trust of Vermont,” said Janet Watton, president of the
Chandler Center for the Arts Board of Directors. “This federal support
plus the $758,000 approved by Randolph, Braintree, and Brookfield voters
in March 2007 makes a total of over $1 million in local and federal
funding for a project which will greatly enhance Chandler's ability to
serve Central Vermonters of all income levels, particularly our youth.
As we begin the renovation and expansion of the 102-year-old Music Hall
and Gallery during the next few weeks, we thank Senator Leahy and
everyone else who has helped us to reach this milestone.”
Leahy said, "The Chandler
Music Hall is not only a signature historic building of downtown
Randolph but is also a space that captures Randolph’s community spirit.
It is one of those special places in Vermont that reflects the soul of
its community. I am delighted that the federal government is
helping through this partnership. This project is restoring a
cherished piece of Randolph’s heritage as a cornerstone for Randolph’s
future."
Chandler Center for the
Arts, a non-profit organization, operates the 100-year-old Chandler
Music Hall and Gallery in Randolph, Vermont, owned by the Town of
Randolph. The Chandler building is on the National Register of Historic
Places and has been continuously operated as a regional resource since
it was built in 1907. Chandler is committed to continuing the long
tradition of using this historic building for arts, education, and
community events to serve Central Vermont, responding to the needs of
patrons and artists of all ages and income levels.
On Saturday, June 27th,
at 4:30 p.m., Chandler will celebrate the beginning of construction with
a groundbreaking event in the front of the Music Hall. The ceremonial
shovel will be wielded by Board President Janet Watton as well as local
and state elected officials from Randolph. Colonel Chandler will be on
hand to give his blessing to this next generation of caretakers of his
gift to the Town of Randolph. Ken’s Barbershop Quartet will sing to
celebrate the occasion. A reception and refreshments will follow with
the opportunity to see the plans of the renovation and expansion along
with the current exhibit at the art gallery -- “Into the Woods.” The
public is invited to attend.
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