Photo/NH Preservation Alliance
CONCORD, NH – Matching grants of up to $10,000 are available for historic preservation projects in New Hampshire that need money for maintenance projects that are often beyond the means of the nonprofits guiding the work.
The 1:1 matching grants, which range from $2,000 to $10,000, are offered by the 1772 Foundation, in partnership with the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance.
The aim of the grants is to help with maintenance projects that are necessary, but often too expensive for nonprofits to undertake. More than 58 community landmark building rehabilitation and restoration projects in New Hampshire have received grants since the program began three years ago.
“Small matching grants for brick-and-mortar preservation projects have long played an important role in the 1772 Foundation’s grant making, as it was the passion of its founder, Stewart B. Kean,” B. Danforth Ely, 1772 Foundation Board president, said after the first round of grants in the program were awarded in 2020.
“The vast response to this grant has also shown to the foundation how necessary these brick-and-mortar grants are to keeping our historic structures standing,” Ely said.
The Rhode Island-based 1772 Foundation partners with historic preservation organizations in the six New England states, New York and Georgia, on the program.
Work eligible for a grant includes:
• exterior painting, finishes and surface restoration;
• upgrade to or installation of fire detection, lightning protection, and security systems;
• repairs to or restoration of porches, roofs, and windows;
• structural foundation and sill repair/replacement;
• chimney and masonry repointing.
The application deadline is Dec. 1, and grants will be distributed in the spring. To be eligible, organizations must have a 501(c)(3) IRS designation and own, or have a long-term lease, on the building. For more information, potential applications can visit nhpreservation.org.
This year, 16 New Hampshire projects received grants:
- The Antrim Grange 98, built in 1832, sill and foundation repair, $10,000.
- Friends of the Colonial Theatre, Bethlehem, built in 1914, roof replacement, $10,000.
- Canterbury Shaker Village, Canterbury, Dwelling House, built in 1793, roof replacement, $5,000.
- The Woman’s Club of Concord, Concord, Chamberlin House, built in 1886, roof rehabilitation, $9,000.
- The Danbury Historical Society, Danbury, North Road Schoolhouse, built in 1853, roof replacement, $4,250.
- The Gilsum Historical Society, Gilsum, Wright Blacksmith Shop, built in 1890, foundation and sill repair, $7,500.
- Historic Harrisville Inc., Harrisville, Abel Twitchell House, built in 1774, roof replacement and moisture management, $8,500.
- Haverhill Library Association, Haverhill, Haverhill Library, built in 1840, roof replacement, $7,500.
- Haverhill Heritage Inc., Haverhill, Wentworth-Brown House, built in 1805, porch rehabilitation, $7,500.
- Hill Center Church Community Organization, Hill, Hill Center Church, built in 1800, window rehabilitation, $10,000.
- Lancaster Historical Society, Lancaster, Wilder-Holton House, built in 1780, foundation and sill repair, $5,000.
- Affordable Housing Education and Development, Lisbon, Lisbon Inn, built in 1922, exterior painting, $10,000.
- Poore Family Foundation, Stewartstown, Poore Family Farmhouse, built circa 1830, sill and porch repair, $7,500.
- Stratham Historical Society, Stratham, Stratham Library, built in 1912, window, chimney and roof repair, $7,500.
- Sunapee Heritage Alliance, Sunapee, The Livery, built in 1890, exterior painting, $5,750.
- Sutton Historical Society, Sutton, South Village Schoolhouse, built in mid-19th century, exterior restoration, $10,000.