12/31/2025
We did it! Thanks to the help of so many friends, family, and community members, we have successfully moved our variety of collections to storage--collections that range from hundreds of CDs of local music, to handwritten set lists, to elaborate stage costumes, to the iconic door from 242 Main, and span decades of Vermont's music history. Our next challenge is to find new repositories for these resources, in places where they will be loved and cared for, and most importantly share with the community they represent. The months ahead may be full of obstacles, but the fact that we still have the opportunity to continue advocating for and celebrating Vermont music is an honor.
In particular, I would like to thank:
-Luke Awtry Photography, who offered invaluable help with selling equipment and unshakeable optimism when spirits were low;
-SEABA for graciously taking so much tech, furniture, and odds and ends off of our hands for future use in the Vermont arts;
-Maple City Records, for coming down from St. Albans to accept over a dozen boxes of CDs of local music that would have ended up in a landfill and instead will continue to circulate into Vermonters' hands;
-Mollie Metevier, Assistant Professor of Archival Practice at Simmons University, who grew up going to 242 Main and contributed a great deal of time and expertise to helping create a plan to ensure these collections have a future;
-Over 20 people who donated to the Gofundme, which allowed us the funding to provide a high quality of care and protection for our collections until they find new homes;
-And the dozens of individuals who picked up some posters or a CD, helped us transport heavy items, shared our posts, and otherwise gave us the encouragement and love we needed to keep going.
This transition would not have been possible without any of you--yes, including you reading this post. The past month has been difficult in more ways than one, and there's a long road ahead, but nothing fills me with more gratitude and confidence than the affirmation of our local community. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts--have a happy New Year, and hopefully we'll have more updates for you in the near future.
Sincerely,
Lauren Sky
