Funding

    In September 2004, the State of Connecticut awarded the Town a $500,000 grant under the Small Town Economic Assistance Program through the efforts of State Representative, Marilyn Giuliano. An additional grant of $310,000 from the State’s Small Cities Program to improve handicap access was approved.

    The following September, the Town of Old Saybrook approved setting aside $2.6 million for the restoration project (including the state grants). This was intended to cover design and construction, but not stage equipment, sound and lighting systems, furniture and exterior enhancements.

     A capital campaign to raise $2.5 million for those needs and an endowment for future operations has been undertaken, with Elaine Staplins and Wilma Asch as co-chairs. The committee defined naming opportunities and a patrons and sponsors list. A variety of local and national celebrities volunteered to be honorary capital campaign committee members, including Lauren Bacall and Cynthia McFadden as co-chairs, as well as Cate Blanchett, Lary Bloom, Senator Christopher Dodd, Dominick Dunne, Anthony Harvey, Katharine Houghton, Katharine Kramer, Morley Safer, Judy Samelson, Susie Tracy, James Prideaux and Mark Rydell.

    The first public fundraising venture, “The Way It Was,” occurred in August 2005 with an open house that attracted 300 people who each paid $10 for a tour of the building, entertainment and refreshments. Some other fundraising events planned: informational sessions in Fenwick, a celebrity auction, a cookbook signing, a costume ball, a film festival and a dinner dance.