Music Hall meets matching grant goal

More than $395,000 has been raised to meet a federal matching grant to restore and upgrade the historic The Music Hall in Portsmouth.

The federal grant was awarded to the 127-year-old theater by the Save America’s Treasures program, sponsored by the National Park Service and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It is the single largest donation ever received by The Music Hall.

The money will help jump-start a major restoration, providing funding for Phase I of a two-phase restoration. Construction on Phase I – which includes repair of the theater’s roof and stairs, restoration of the proscenium arch’s gold leaf work and plaster detail, modernization of rest rooms; improved access for the disabled, electrical system upgrades, stabilization of the ceiling dome and replacement of the vintage chandelier — is expected to be completed by September 2007.

The ultimate goal of the two-phase campaign is to completely repair and restore the historic theater, furnish badly needed equipment, improve access, establish an endowment, act as a community resource, and allow for new initiatives to better serve the region.

Patricia Lynch, The Music Hall’s executive director, said, the donations move the landmark “closer to our goal of fully restoring and preserving The Music Hall for generations to come.”

The Music Hall will continue to raise additional funds to support Phase I expenses not provided for in the federal matching grant. – NHBR STAFF