December 2015 Historic Vermont

December 2015 News from the Preservation Trust of Vermont

Preservation Trust of Vermont

www.ptvermont.org

Marble Museum Moves Forward

PTV was awarded several major grants over the last few months for the Vermont Marble Museum in Proctor: $300,00 from the Community Development Block Grant Program; $120,000 Tax Credit from the Vermont Downtown Program; and $25,000 from the Vermont Council on the Arts Cultural Facilities program. The funds will be used to do fire safety work at the Marble Museum Building as well as brownfield clean-up and partial building rehabilitation work. The goal is to have all of the work done by the opening of the museum in May 2016.

Check out the Vermont Marble Museum's new website!

Fox Hill: Keeping the Dream Alive

Representatives from the Preservation Trust of Vermont and Stone Valley Arts gathered with sisters Irene Minkoff and Rita Fuchsberg at the Fox Hill Center for the Arts in Poultney to complete the donation of the early 19th century building to PTV.

Read on...

Exit 4 in Randolph: It's Not Over Yet

The battle over the development at Exit 4 in Randolph is not over. At the request of the applicant and agreed upon by the Conservation Law Foundation and the Vermont Natural Resources Council, a recess memo was issued on November 20th allowing for a 90-day extension so that parties can explore "informal and non-adversarial resolution of the contested issues."

In support of the Exit 4 Citizens Group and in an effort to establish the battle as an issue of statewide importance, the Preservation Trust of Vermont sponsored full-page ads in Herald of Randolph, Rutland Herald, Times Argus, Seven Days, Valley News, Woodstock Standard, and VT Digger.

Read on...

Preservation Grants Awarded

In partnership with the Freeman Foundation, PTV recently awarded $240,000 in Preservation Grants to six projects for total rehabilitation work in excess of $800,000.

The Guild Hall, Guildhall: $40,000. Built in 1795, the Guild Hall building plays a vital role in the town of Guildhall: town meetings, elections, select board meetings, school performances, Hunters' supper, Mother's Day brunch, the "Cabin Fever" concert series during the winter months and more. Work includes repairs to floor joists, foundation insulation, electrical and access upgrades, lighting improvements and paint.

The Orleans County Grammar School, Brownington: $50,000. The first school house of noted Vermont educator Alexander Twilight, this 1823 building will be moved by the Orleans County Historical Society back to its original location near the Old Stone House House museum and Brownington Historic District. Improvements include installing water and bathrooms, heating, accessibility, roof replacement, painting, window rehabilitation and the reinstallation of the original bell tower.

Kane Hall, Craftsbury: $35,000. This administration and classroom building at Sterling College has undergone an exterior rehabilitation. The grant will assist in the rehabilitation and weatherization of the 31 historic windows.

Danville Congregational Church, Danville: $30,000. Most of the Greek Revival and Queen Anne-inspired details of this 1897 church are intact, though in need of attention. The grant will support stabilizing the bell tower, repairing historic windows, improving access and fire seafood, painting and masonry and roof repairs.

Derby Historical Society, Derby: $35,000. The c.1840 building on Main Street, once the North Hall of the Derby Academy, is now used by Derby Historical Society. The grant will support the removal of vinyl siding and restoration of the clapboard exterior as well as replacement of windows that are beyond repair with new historically compatible windows.

Fairbanks Museum/St. Johnsbury Church, St. Johnsbury: $50,000. This High Victorian Church, formerly the Christian Science Church, sits immediately south of the Fairbanks Museum. This grant will enable the museum to complete their purchase of the property and do immediate work on the building in preparation for a bigger campaign to raise funds to create a 250-seat meeting and performance space, headquarters for the Eye on the Sky program, and space for collections.

Paul Bruhn Honored

Paul Bruhn, Executive Director of the Preservation Trust of Vermont, is the 2015 recipient of the Bernice Murray Award, given by the Vermont Community Development Association (VCDA) in recognition of his contributions to historic preservation in Vermont.

The Bernice Murray Award is given annually in recognition of an individual's work in the community development field for over 10 years as either a professional or community volunteer who has demonstrated leadership, dedication and commitment to a Vermont community or communities. The award is given in memory of Bernice Murray, well-known for her dedication to, and support of, community development both in her role as the Vermont State Director for Senator James Jeffords and then as State Director of the Farmers Home Administration.