Newtown Rotary Continues To Support

The Heritage Preservation Trust

In 1988, Newtown Congregation Church was building a new church just west of its 18th Century landmark right at 31 Main Street (in front of the flagpole on Main Street). Everyone felt the former church building should be preserved, but the town did not feel that it would be appropriate for them to handle, so various organizations were approached.

Newtown Rotary accepted the challenge and Don Studley and four or five Rotarians volunteered. The Heritage Preservation Trust was set up as a separate entity to handle this and Don Studley was elected chairman.

Since then much renovation has been done to bring the building up to current building codes and the name was changed back to Newtown Meeting House — the building’s original name (and use) when built. It was restored to its former beauty and is now available for use by individuals and community groups. All the renovations were done with money contributed by the citizens of Newtown.

Rotary Club President Larry Gardner recently presented Mr Studley with a check for $3,000 to help in the continued improvements and upkeep of the meeting house. The entire membership of Newtown Rotary Club thanked Mr Studley for his leadership as chairman of the Trust, which has done so much to preserve and keep the historic building an active center of life in Newtown.