Organ Fund Drive Continues

By Tanjua Damon

With the restoration of the Meeting House organ complete, the Heritage Preservation Trust is conducting a continuing fund drive to help cover to costs to restore the 1924 Hall organ.

The fund drive was announced in the June 22 edition of The Bee with an envelope insert so that members of the Newtown community could send in their donations to the Trust. The cost to restore the organ was $75,000.

So far the drive has brought in $2,430 from 54 donors. The fund drive is an ongoing effort to help pay for the restoration of the organ that received water damage from Hurricane Floyd that came through the area in September 1999.

Trust president Don Studley is thankful that the Newtown community is willing to help pay for repair costs to the organ.

“I’m pleased with what we have received so far,” Mr Studley said. “I’m very optimistic that the town is responding.”

The organ is located in the Meeting House on Main Street. The Meeting House is a town-owned building that is run by the Heritage Preservation Trust. The landmark building is available to be rented for public use for weddings, civic groups, or church activities. For more information about using the Meeting House call 426-1767.

Anyone wishing to donate money for the restoration can send their donations to the Heritage Preservation Trust, PO Box 3082, Newtown CT 06470-3082.