Lawrence Town Hall Preservation Foundation

The Lawrence Town Hall Preservation Foundation is a 501(c)3 public charity. 501(c)3 designation allows for any donations to be tax-deductible. This designation is required for most of the preservation or available grants

1. Pledges from the community are needed to support the purchase and maintenance of the building. Pledges can be made by contacting LawrenceTownHallFoundation@gmail.com The Pledge form can also be accessed here to print out

2. An application for inclusion of the National Register of Historic Places is being submitted

a. Required for many historic preservation grants

3. Foundation information:

a. Mission Statement: To Preserve the historic Lawrence Town Hall building and maintain public ownership and use.

b. Goals and Objectives: To rehabilitate the Town Hall building so it can be used as a community center for the public, regardless of the season.
A community center offering an historic venue for meetings, weddings, plays, artistic expression and other uses desired by the community.

c. To be included on the National Registry of Historic Places s to allow obtainment of historic preservation grants and funding resources.

d. Business Philosophy: It is important that there be no geographic conflict. The Town Hall building is in the Village of Lawrence, the Township of Lawrence and Van Buren County. All in the community should be able to use it. The cost of rehabilitation, maintenance and upkeep should be sustained initially through charitable contributions and grants. Future costs could be offset by assessing equitable fees for special private functions and or leasing a portion of the building (i.e. basement leased for offices).

e. Membership based on public donations of any amount. No minimum or maximum

4. Assuming building is acquired by the Foundation, first steps will include:

a. Basic remodeling of the basement (old library) and lease it to a small business or other organization

b. Apply for grants to allow use of the main hall all year

i. Convert offices to handicap-accessible bathrooms

ii. Heat/energy modifications

iii. Barrier-free entrance to basement and main hall

c. Communication plan to get the word out regarding availability of the Hall for special events

Weekly meetings for the foundation are at the Lawrence Township Services Building ( fire station )at 11:30 AM on Saturdays.

Lawrence Town Hall Foundation, PO Box 37, Lawrence MI 49064

Email: LawrenceTownHallfoundation@gmail.com