Conlon, Thomas S., 1934-1990.

The Pavilion Hotel was a "High Victorian" structure dating from 1875. Because of its location adjacent to the Vermont State House, it was known as "Vermont's Third House". In 1966, the Pavilion was bought by the State of Vermont and closed as a hotel. The question then was whether to restore and remodel the building for use as state offices or to tear it down. After many legislative votes the decision was to raze the building and rebuild it using the same facade on a modern structure. The new "hotel" was dedicated in 1970.

Thomas Shaun Conlon, leader of the group of concerned citizens who wanted to preserve the building, was born in Waterbury, Vermont, on December 9, 1934. After graduating from Dartmouth in 1956, he entered the Pennsylvania Law School completing the course in 1959. In 1963, he became a tax counsel for National Life Insurance Company. He was also a partner in the law firm of Gravel, Shea and Wright in Burlington from 1973-1979. He served on the Montpelier School Board and the Montpelier Planning Commission; was president of the Vermont Historical Society, 1973-1977; was president of the Barre Opera House Board of Trustees; and was Chairman of the Friends of the Pavilion Committee. He died May 18, 1990.