<div>Friends and residents of the town of Monson,

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<div>	Since its incorporation in 1822 the town of Monson has been through boom and bust periods, tragedies and triumphs, and through it all has always come together when needed.  In 1860 fires swept through the town, and her residents lost, among other buildings, the first Monson Academy (1848) and the Congregational Church.  The residents banded together to rebuild both of those buildings.  Monson Academy served our town until it closed its doors in 1969, and many alumni of Monson Academy demonstrated the honor, pride, and resilience of a small town, our small town.  In the academic year 40-41, a fund was started to raise the capital necessary to build a gymnasium to host the sporting events of the school and the social events of the town. Even though there were many hurdles to overcome, not the least of which was World War II, the town raised the gymnasium in 1951.  When any alumni of Monson Academy walks through that door onto the hardwood floors and looks at the glass backboards which were one of the first such backboards in the Upper Kennebec Valley League, he or she relives a rush of memories from the past.  Children of alumni also sense the sentimental value of the building as they glimpse this piece of the past which was part of their parents’ high school experiences.   In 1984 Monson Academy was torn down, and the gymnasium remains the only building standing which represents the pride of the Slater basketball teams and community, as well as  the history and dedication of its alumni.

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<div>     The town has done its best over the years to keep the building in good condition and preserve the rich history which it houses.  The roof is at the point where it will need a major overhaul due to the deterioration of the existing system.  The estimated cost of a proper and thorough rebuild is  $200,000.00.  As everything seems to be constantly going up, that cost could be more by the time we have the funds to do anything. As the town is struggling to keep a low tax base and still provide all the services that keep the community operational and connected, it is difficult to come up with these funds.  In true Monson fashion we have formed a committee to raise funds through donations to help offset the cost to the town.  We are simultaneously looking at other funding avenues from grants to municipal bonds.  Every little bit can make a big difference in the total outcome.

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<div>      This building is currently used for a myriad of town and private functions  including voting, recreation activities, private parties and wedding receptions.

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<div><strong>We are recognizing the following giving levels:</strong>

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<li><em>A donation $5.00 to $99 will make you a SCOREKEEPER for the Friends of the Monson Gymnasium.</em>

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<li><em>A donation of $100 to $499 will make you a MANAGER for the Friends of the Monson Gymnasium.</em>

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<li><em>A donation of $500 to $999 will make you a COACH for the Friends of the Monson Gymnasium.</em>

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<li><em>A donation of $1000 to $4999 will make you a CHEERLEADER for the Friends of the Monson Gymnasium.</em>

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<li><em>A donation of $5000+ will make you a SLATER for the Friends of the Monson Gymnasium.</em>

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<div>   Any donations are greatly welcomed and appreciated.

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<div>Donations so far are over $40,000.00

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ED Kronholm

Joel Greenleaf

Thomas Pullen

Anonymous

Karen Gomes

Matthew Wentworth

Wallace McKenzie

Dale Ahlquist

Judy Doore

Pete Mesheau

Chip Clements

Karen Olson

Patricia Lefebvre

Dave Pullen

Helen Grant

Patricia Wilkins

Preserve Monson's Historic Gymnasium

Preserve Monson's Historic Gymnasium

Todavía faltan $196,685. Ayúdanos a generar impulso.