HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL PR 2009-12-30 Bowie bequest
Town of Leesburg
News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Alexandra Gressitt,
Thomas Balch Library Director
703-737-7196
Betsy Fields
Research & Communication Manager
703-771-2734
Thomas Balch Library Receives $250,000 Bequest
Town Officials Announce Donation from
the Estate of Longtime Volunteer Virginia L. Bowie
Leesburg, VA (December 30, 2009) – Town of Leesburg officials announced today
that the Thomas Balch Library has received a $250,000 bequest from the estate of
Virginia L. Bowie. Ms. Bowie, who passed away on September 4, 2008, was a longtime
volunteer and supporter of the Library and a resident of the Town. According to Library
Director Alexandra Gressitt, Ms. Bowie’s volunteer work in transcribing documents and
indexing the Library’s collections was tremendously valuable.
“Although a very unassuming and private person, Ms. Bowie was extraordinarily
generous to the Library, with her time and talents as a volunteer, and now, with this
bequest,” Ms. Gressitt commented upon learning of the donation.
Town staff are evaluating potential uses of the $250,000, which was bequeathed as an
unrestricted gift to the Library. One possibility is the establishment of an endowment
fund focused on the long-term needs of the Library.
In addition to the monetary bequest, Ms. Bowie also gave a stone fountain to the
Library. The fountain is currently in storage while staff determine the best location for it.
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