State grants totaling $186,193 to help restore and repair historic properties have been awarded to more than a dozen Vermont communities and non-profit organizations.
The state Division for Historic Preservation and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation today announced matching grant awards to 16 recipients at a Vermont State House ceremony. Projects awarded funding include the Bennington Free Library, Alexander Twilight House in Brownington, Community Center in Jericho, United Baptist Church in East Poultney, and the Vermont Studio Center’s Lowe Lecture Hall in Johnson.
‘Town halls, cultural centers and local churches are the heart of every Vermont community,’ said Governor Peter Shumlin. ‘The local effort to preserve these historic buildings demonstrates a strong sense of community and a commitment to a vibrant Vermont economy.’
Grant projects range from roof replacements to porch and chimney repairs. More than 40 applications were submitted this year.
‘The process was incredibly competitive, and we received a variety of excellent grant applications from across the state,’ said State Historic Preservation Officer Giovanna Peebles of the Division for Historic Preservation. ‘Vermont is fortunate to have so many communities that are committed to preserving their local history for future generations.’
Established in 1987, the state-funded grant program annually awards matching grants for building improvement projects that promote the public enjoyment of Vermont’s heritage. Properties must be listed on or be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places in Vermont.
For more information, visit www.historicvermont.org.
Town
Grant Award
Project
Brief Description
Bennington
$10,000
Bennington Free Library
Repair deteriorated chimneys and reconstruct to match original design, including brick and mortar. Repair and repaint ceilings damaged from leaks around chimneys.
Brownington
$7,000
Alexander Twilight House
Install new standing seam roof on building at the Old Stone Museum, which is owned by the Orleans County Historical Society.
East Corinth
$15,000
Corliss Prescott House
Owned by the Corinth Historical Society, the building will be moved onto a new foundation, sills/joists will be repaired as needed and drainage will be installed.
East Hardwick
$15,000
Caledonia #9 Grange Hall
The building, which has been in continuous use as a Grange Hall since it was built in 1909, will undergo drainage improvements and repairs on sills, foundation, retaining wall, porch and front steps.
East Poultney
$7,310
United Baptist Church
Located on the Poultney Town Green, the 19th century church will undergo repairs to the roof, tower and front entrance.
Hardwick
$7,500
Hardwick Town House
Primarily used for performance and community meeting space, the building will have exterior doors and tripartite window on façade restored.
Hyde Park
$6,500
Hyde Park Opera House
Repair s to the stage roof and flooring will be made to this early 20th century Colonial/Georgian Revival opera house.
Jericho
$14,400
Community Center in Jericho
Formerly a church that was built in the 1840s, the center will have masonry and footings repaired/installed, drainage installed, and 14 windows conserved.
Johnson
$15,000
Vermont Studio Center/Lowe Lecture Hall
Install new roof on Greek Revival style building built in 1832. The building was originally constructed as a Congregational church and is now used as reading and lecture hall, and for community events.
Middlebury
$15,000
Middlebury Community House
An 1815 Federal style painted brick building that was the residence of four generations before it became a community center will undergo roof and foundation repairs.
Montpelier
$2,752
Vermont Land Trust/George Washington Reed House
Install new porch roofs on this building, which was originally constructed as a single family residence and is now the headquarters for the Vermont Land Trust.
Pawlet
$15,000
Pawlet Town Hall
The town hall, constructed in 1881, will undergo repairs to the plaster ceiling in the building’s auditorium. The repairs will allow town meetings and community activities to be held in the building again.
Ripton
$15,000
Ripton Community Church
Located on Route 125, the church is located in the Ripton Historic District. A new roof will be installed and plaster will be repaired.
Royalton
$12,375
First Congregational Church of Royalton
The church is undergoing a four-phase historic preservation project. The grant will be used to fund phase II of the project, which includes a new roof.
Strafford
$13,206
Strafford Municipal Building
The building was designed and built by former Vermont Representative and Senator Justin Morrill and given to the town as a public library. Now used as the town offices, the grant fund will be used to install a new slate roof, repair plaster and paint.
Westford
$15,000
United Church of Westford
A new roof and gutters will be installed on the building. Also, the interior of the steeple will be cleaned and the chimney repointed.
Total: $186,193
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