Benefit concert to support Heath Historical Society

The Cheese Priests, made up of three students from The Academy at Charlemont, will perform at Heath Community Hall on Saturday, Sept. 28.

The Cheese Priests, made up of three students from The Academy at Charlemont, will perform at Heath Community Hall on Saturday, Sept. 28. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Money raised during a Sept. 28 benefit concert will support the Heath Historical Society’s efforts to move some of its documents, clothing, tools and other fragile artifacts into Sawyer Hall, pictured.

Money raised during a Sept. 28 benefit concert will support the Heath Historical Society’s efforts to move some of its documents, clothing, tools and other fragile artifacts into Sawyer Hall, pictured. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

Staff Writer

Published: 09-22-2024 12:01 PM

HEATH — The Bruce Mattson Band will headline a benefit concert to raise money for the Heath Historical Society on Saturday, Sept. 28.

“The Bruce Mattson Band draws freely from New Orleans R&B, jazz and blues,” the Historical Society wrote in an event announcement, adding that fans of Dr. John, The Neville Brothers and Hammond organs will “feel right at home.”

Also performing is The Cheese Priests, made up of three students from The Academy at Charlemont.

Doors at Heath Community Hall, located at 1 East Main St., will open at 7 p.m. The Cheese Priests will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. and the Bruce Mattson Band will perform at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20.

Historical Society member Bob Viarengo explained proceeds from the concert will support preservation of local historical buildings, documents and artifacts.

“These small New England towns have a lot of heritage and the goal is to preserve that heritage. … That’s our mission: to preserve this wonderful history,” Viarengo said.

The Heath Historical Society maintains a number of historical structures in town, including barns, schoolhouses and even a fort dating back to the French and Indian War.

Viarengo said the fundraiser will also support the society’s efforts to move some of its documents, clothing, tools and other fragile artifacts into a climate-controlled building.

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“We just got authority from our Board of Selectmen to occupy a space in Sawyer Hall,” Viarengo explained.

When the Heath Elementary School closed in 2017, town officials moved in, leaving their former offices at Sawyer Hall on East Main Street empty. With Selectboard approval, the Historical Society can move in and create a small museum.

Viarengo said the society hopes to take advantage of the few remaining weeks of warm weather and move in before winter comes.

The Historical Society recommends purchasing tickets for the concert in advance as space is limited. For advance tickets, email Ned Wolf at nedwolf@verizon.net. For more information, visit heathhistsociety.org.

Reach Madison Schofield at mschofield@recorder.com.