Governor Peter Shumlin and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation recently awarded matching grants totaling $247,134 to aid in the restoration and maintenance of significant buildings that contribute to Vermont's agricultural history. Spanning from a circa 1790 English barn to a 1930 Sears kit barn, the projects include roof and foundation repairs, drainage work, reframing, and replacement of deteriorated siding.
“Vermont’s rural landscape is defined by its many historic agricultural buildings. Whether they are active farms or adaptively used for recreation or tourism, these buildings are an integral part of our state’s heritage and economy,” said Noelle MacKay, Commissioner of Housing and Community Development for the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. “This year’s 21 projects demonstrate the importance of agricultural resources to the current and future economic vitality of our state.”
The owner of this circa 1810 hay barn in Jacksonville/Windham County, one of a set of connected agricultural structures, applied for and received a 2013 Barn Preservation Grant to repair the barn’s frame, rafters, foundation, roof and siding. ACCD photos.
The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation reviewed 32 applications with funding requests totaling $378,559.00. Recipients of the competitive grants include Lemax farm in Hartland, Peaslee Vermont Potatoes in Guildhall, Irish Farm in Jericho, Silver Street Alpaca Farm in Monkton, Elkins Tavern in Peacham and the Durkee Homestead in Tunbridge, among others. Preservation of these historic agricultural buildings not only protects Vermont’s architectural legacy, but also generates jobs, supports independent businesses, increases civic participation and bolsters a community’s sense of place, while enhancing the experience of visitors.
“This matching grant program has successfully elevated the profile of agricultural-based preservation,” said Laura V Trieschmann, Vermont State Historic Preservation Officer. “The recipients deserve recognition for their commitment to these historic resources, which not only recount our agricultural past but are contributing accents to our working landscapes.”
The state-funded Barn Preservation Grant program helps individuals, municipalities, and non-profit organizations restore or rehabilitate historic agricultural buildings. Since its inception, the program has granted over $2.5 million towards the preservation of over 300 historic agricultural buildings around the state. To qualify, buildings must be listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
The Division for Historic Preservation, in cooperation with the Legislature and theVermont Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, is able to award competitive 50/50 matching grants of up to $15,000 for the repair of historic agricultural buildings. In order to qualify, the buildings must be at least 50 years old and either listed in, or eligible to be listed in, the National Register of Historic Places.
This is a reimbursement grant program, which means that if you are awarded a grant, you are responsible for paying for the full amount of the project and the State will then reimburse you once the project and required paperwork are completed. The Barn Grant Program is funded by the taxpayers of the State of Vermont, at the direction of the General Assembly, through the annual Capital Appropriations and State Bonding Act.
Source: Vermont Division of Historic Preservation. 2.23.2015. accd.vermont.gov/strong_communities/preservation/grants/barn.