Notice! ~Meeting Tonight~ Place: Bethany Town Hall Time: 7:00 pm, tonight-July 21st The Committe for the Town Hall has scheduled a meeting for tonight----to "brain-storm" ideas for how to use the present TOWN HALL of BETHANY after the Town moves their offices out of the building. ~ [On Wednesday of this week, the Town Board will be presenting an informational meeting about their plans to build new town offices. ] Tonight's meeting will be comprised of a group of concerned citizens of Bethany -and anyone in the area, interested in preserving History- to come together to discuss any and all ideas that they have for options for Bethany's Town Hall. I have been told that the Town Board is not interested in selling the building-but in leasing it--and that some areas of concern would need to be updated (handicapped accessible/septic system, etc.) A bit of history of this building: The Town Hall has had many and varied uses over the years; the land on which it stands was donated by Dr. Jonathan Barlow. In 1832 the Methodists of Bethany Center built a church on this land. Twelve years later in 1844 it was no longer used as a church, but was incorporated into the "Bethany Academy"~an institution "of higher learning." Later, when enrollment warranted its use no longer, it was converted into the "Town Hall." It has been used as a civic meeting place for the Town Board and other oganizations; it accomodated social functions, as it was equipped with a kitchen & dining room; it has been used for Grange meetings; its pride was its large auditorium, stage and dressing rooms, on the second floor (including a spring floor~perfect for dancing!) ~Please come tonight and share your thoughts and ideas~ ~IF you cannot make the meeting, but wish to contribute, please email me by 6:00 p.m.-and/or call the town historian, Helen Milroy (343-0022) before 6 p.m. ~ Thanks! Linda Schmidt donlinda@mybizz.net