{"id":68094,"date":"2025-11-21T15:37:20","date_gmt":"2025-11-21T23:37:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/townhallseattle.org\/?page_id=68094"},"modified":"2026-02-03T11:23:39","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T19:23:39","slug":"visionaries","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/townhallseattle.org\/visionaries\/","title":{"rendered":"Visionaries"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Support Us
<\/strong><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90aXRsZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7ImJlZm9yZSI6IiIsImFmdGVyIjoiIn19@” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”title” _module_preset=”_initial” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” title_font_size=”70px” module_alignment=”center” title_font_size_tablet=”70px” title_font_size_phone=”36px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”12bc71e8-b195-48b1-9f6d-cf83d1fa1105″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”9c1decdb-b71e-4650-87e0-1af8426cc3d1″ max_width=”800px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_menu menu_id=”41″ active_link_color=”#3991D0″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”9f66228d-efc3-403e-9412-f23cf0eb7d7f” menu_font=”|600|||||||” menu_font_size=”17px” custom_padding=”8px||8px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_menu][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”_initial” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”_initial” custom_padding=”12px||12px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Honoring Town Hall’s Past, Building Its Future” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”_initial” custom_padding=”12px||12px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”_initial” custom_margin=”||0px|||” custom_padding=”||15px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

A reimagined Town Hall created new possibilities for how the community could gather, learn, and connect.<\/strong> The $35.5 million capital renovation, completed from 2017-2019, improved functionality, acoustics, and accessibility \u2014 and ensured that our landmark building would remain a vital part of Seattle\u2019s landscape for generations to come. To complete the work, Town Hall secured an unplanned $2.5 million bridge loan that allowed us to reopen our doors in 2019, but limited how boldly we\u2019ve been able to plan for our future \u2014 until now. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Throughout 2025, we have nearly retired the bridge loan, strengthening Town Hall\u2019s financial foundation and allowing us to fully turn toward the future with clarity and stability.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”14px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Top Photo:<\/strong> Town Hall\u2019s founder, David Brewster (left), and late Executive Director Wier Harman (right), tour the building during its renovation in 2019. Their combined leadership paved the way for a strong foundation of innovation and growth.; <\/em>Bottom Left Photo:<\/strong> The stained glass oculus; Bottom Right Photo:<\/strong> Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer talks with Brad Smith at a sold-out program in the Great Hall.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/townhallseattle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Visionaries-main-image.jpg” alt=”Collage of three photos: top image of David Brewster and Wier Harman in hard hats during building renovation; lower image of stained glass oculus and sold-out event in the great hall” title_text=”Visionaries-main-image” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”_initial” custom_padding=”12px||12px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”_initial” custom_margin=”||0px|||” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Closing this final chapter is deeply meaningful,<\/strong> and as we complete this effort, we celebrate the leadership that brought us here. The renovation was guided for so many years by former Executive Director Wier Harman, who expanded Founder David Brewster\u2019s original vision to preserve our historic building. <\/span>This spring, Town Hall will name the Great Hall Stage in honor of Wier Harman, and the stained-glass Oculus in recognition of David Brewster.<\/span><\/b> Naming these iconic spaces marks a milestone and honors the visionaries who shaped this institution. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We invite you to be a part of it and help shape what comes next! <\/a><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” max_width=”2560px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/townhallseattle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Plan-Your-Visit-Hero.svg” parallax=”on” custom_padding=”80px||80px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/secure.givelively.org\/donate\/town-hall-seattle\/town-hall-for-everyone” button_text=”Make a Gift” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”ac913df2-ebba-4db7-a15a-7d5788645623″ button_text_size=”28px” button_font=”|700|||||||” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”20px” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Questions?<\/strong> Please contact Membership & Annual Fund Manager Jena Whitesman at jena.whitesman@townhallseattle.org<\/a> <\/span><\/span>or call (206) 452-7367.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”gcid-9d7f31a9-0cee-4e05-b996-df396df82733″ max_width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-9d7f31a9-0cee-4e05-b996-df396df82733%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”]<\/p>\n

With Gratitude<\/span><\/h2>\n

We extend our deep thanks to the donors whose generosity made the retirement of our renovation loan possible. Their generosity makes these two new named spaces possible. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Wier Harman Great Hall Stage and the David Brewster Oculus<\/strong> will stand alongside the following donor-funded spaces created during Town Hall\u2019s renovation campaign:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Wyncote Foundation NW Forum<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n
    • The Otto (bar in the Wyncote Foundation NW Forum)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        \n
      • True-Brown Foundation Lobby<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
          \n
        • C. Keith Birkenfeld Memorial Trust Library<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
            \n
          • Rick Steves Media Resource Room<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
              \n
            • Ferguson Foundation Staff Office<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                \n
              • Ishaque and Maria Mehdi Reading Room<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                  \n
                • Nordhoff Family Lounge<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                    \n
                  • James W. Ray Gallery<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                      \n
                    • Floyd and Delores Jones Lobby<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                        \n
                      • Mina B. Person Green Room<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                        [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”14px” max_width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

                        Top Photo:<\/strong> Audiences enjoy the music of Ukrainian artist Maryna Krut in the Wyncote NW Forum; Center photo:<\/strong> violinist Neethi Belur talks with Global Rhythms curator John Kertzer in the Mehdi Reading Room; Bottom Photo:<\/strong> Town Hall Members browse a pop-up book nook in the Nordhoff Lounge.<\/em><\/p>\n

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                        With your support, we\u2019ll name The David Brewster Oculus, the iconic skylight that greets you when you walk into the Great Hall, and The Wier Harman Great Hall Stage, the stage Wier walked onto thousands of times in his 17 seasons. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":63111,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-68094","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/townhallseattle.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/68094","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/townhallseattle.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/townhallseattle.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/townhallseattle.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/townhallseattle.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=68094"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/townhallseattle.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/68094\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/townhallseattle.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/63111"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/townhallseattle.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=68094"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}