Montpelier Community Foundation raising funds for Butch Cassidy bench

MONTPELIER — The Montpelier Community Foundation is raising funds to bring an original Butch Cassidy bronze bench to Montpelier.

Steve Allred, President of the Montpelier Community Foundation, said the bench will be placed in the new Heritage Park near the Butch Cassidy Bank Robbery Museum. The bench was sculpted by Montpelier native Gary Lee Price.

"He's well known worldwide," he said. "When we contacted him to see what we could do about Butch Cassidy, he was all over it."

Price spent a couple of years researching, designing and working the clay for the bench. The full price is $50,000, but he is covering half the cost. The foundation has to raise $25,000 to bring the bench to Montpelier.

"That seems like a lot for a bench," Allred said. "But it's a bronze bench. It's life-sized. You can sit on it and carry on a conversation with Butch. And we hope you do."

There were also busts of Butch Cassidy made. Anyone who makes a donation of $100 or more will receive a bust.

"The proceeds go towards that $25,000," Allred said. "They have a never-ending supply. They can make as many as are needed."

The foundation has set up a GoFundMe to raise money for the bench. Allred hopes the foundation will be able to encourage more people to make donations. He said the the foundation was able to raise enough money for the new Heritage Park that is nearly finished.

"We raised just over $80,000 for Heritage Park," he said.

More information about the Montpelier Community Foundation can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/MontpelierCommunityFoundation .

Donations can be made through GoFundMe or through a check made out to the Montpelier Community Foundation that will be dropped off at City Hall located at 830 Washington St.