Kate Nagle-Caraluzzo, Executive Director, Town Hall Seattle (thanks to Mary M.)
It’s been two years since Wier Harman, our friend and former Executive Director of 17 years, passed away, and I’ve been thinking about the ways his presence still lives in this building and with me. Grief changes with time. Some memories stay close — like the things he said or the way he moved through a room — even as smaller details begin to fade. But what remains is the imprint he left on all of us, and on Town Hall.
I often picture him stepping onto the stage to introduce a speaker (too many times to count) or to moderate a conversation, always taking deep joy in being part of the exchange. And I remember how often he greeted people with a laugh, a smile, or a hug. Wier knew so many in the community, and people felt known by him in return.
His presence in the room was matched by his belief in what our historic building could become. During his 17 years of leadership, Wier shepherded the vision that ultimately became our 2017-2019 renovation — a transformation he knew would change Town Hall’s trajectory. That $35.5 million capital investment reshaped the building: greater accessibility, better sound, a structurally reinforced space to gather in, and so much more. To complete the work, we ultimately had to take a $2.5 million bridge loan we hadn’t planned on, a loan that allowed us to finish construction and reopen our doors but limited how boldly we could plan for the future.
The capital campaign was something Wier championed and carried forward for so many years. And in the last year, we’ve nearly retired the loan. We extend our deep gratitude to the donors whose generosity made the retirement of our renovation loan possible. Closing out this final piece of the campaign feels like a way to honor what Wier imagined for Town Hall’s next chapter. It strengthens our path to financial sustainability and closes a chapter so we can fully turn toward what comes next.
As part of retiring the loan, we chose a meaningful way to honor the leadership that shaped Town Hall. In the spring, we’ll name the Great Hall stage for Wier, and the iconic Oculus for our founder, David Brewster. It marks this milestone moment while paying tribute to the visionaries who shaped Town Hall and honors what comes next — new voices, new audiences, and the ideas that will define our future. If you’re interested in being part of the naming, you can learn more here.
I hope you see Wier’s legacy on stage and in our programming and feel the energy he instilled in Town Hall. I think Wier would be proud of where we are. And I hope you’re proud, too.