6/1/24 Press release: Greenfield Savings Bank Donates $50,000

Originally published June 1, 2024

Naomi Nye

NORTHAMPTON - Greenfield Savings Bank has announced that it is making a donation of $50,000 to The Parlor Room Collective  in support of their $750,000 capital campaign to revive The Iron Horse Music Hall in Downtown Northampton. 

The Parlor Room Collective, a non profit organization whose mission is to enhance the health and vitality of the community through the power of music, purchased The Iron Horse Music Hall last fall. In November the Parlor Room Collective launched their capital campaign to raise funds for renovations and updates to the historic music venue. Updates included expanding to the neighboring storefront at 18 Center Street and putting in 10 bathrooms on the first floor.

The Iron Horse reopened its doors to the public for the first time on May 15th to a sold out crowd with Taylor Ashton, and Rachael & Vilray playing to an audience eager to celebrate the return of this beloved venue. Chris Freeman, Executive Director of the Parlor Room Collective in Northampton, said that the generous gift from Greenfield Savings Bank will help to cover the costs of the extensive renovations that have made the Iron Horse a more accessible space, as well as the start up costs for the restaurant, and the staff more than doubling in size to account for the new venue and restaurant. 

Along with the bar space and bathrooms, Iron Horse updates include flooring, lighting, HVAC, and a new sound system. These updates prioritize the customer and artist experience, making the space more comfortable and accessible than ever before. 

“Greenfield Savings Bank is proud to play a role in the restoration and redevelopment of this great community icon.  As a local mutual bank, GSB is committed to supporting a wide range of local non-profit organizations and initiatives that enhance and improve the quality of life in the communities we serve in Franklin and Hampshire Counties.” says Thomas Meshako, CEO and President of Greenfield Savings Bank, “We congratulate the Iron Horse Team and the City of Northampton for their vision and dedication to bringing this venue back to life. The combination of the Parlor Room with the Iron Horse will add to the revitalization of Northampton being the music destination that it once was. We look forward to attending many wonderful shows in downtown Northampton for years to come.”

Sponsors like Greenfield Savings Bank are integral to the success of the reopening of the Iron Horse, as well as many other amazing projects that make our area special. The Parlor Room Collective is honored to link arms with GSB working towards a vision of a thriving regional economy and tourism hub, as the revitalized Iron Horse Music Hall becomes a destination for local, regional, and national audiences. 

"We're dedicated to creating an inclusive space that celebrates art, artists, and community," says Executive Director Chris Freeman.