Preservation Alliance Awards Grants to Sixteen Community Landmark Projects in NH

CONCORD, NH – The N.H. Preservation Alliance, partnering with The 1772 Foundation, awarded historic preservation one-for-one matching grants totaling $125,000 to sixteen private nonprofit organizations in New Hampshire. The grants give a boost to community landmarks across the state and range in amount from $5,000 to the grant maximum of $10,000. 

 

The buildings receiving support include historic school buildings, two small-town meetinghouses, a fire engine house, a former summer chapel, farm structures, and high-style and vernacular houses ranging from c. 1800 to 1913.  New and continuing building uses include intern housing for a conservation organization, arts festival headquarters for an opera company, offices and public space for an art museum, and housing and program support by a women's club, as well as community and museum experiences.   Four of these properties had been listed to the Preservation Alliance’s Seven to Save endangered properties list in previous years because of their significance, threat, and ability for extra attention to make a difference.  

 

The majority of projects focus on exterior repair and painting and window restoration. Two will be addressing roof needs, two porch repairs, and one each includes masonry repairs and sill work. In some cases, the grants will help multi-phase projects advance, while others will leverage smaller projects that will help a non-profit organization get going or finish up important preservation needs. Projects were vetted by a selection committee of experts and the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance staff. Each grantee was required to have matching funds for its project. 

 

Beverly Thomas, program director of the Preservation Alliance, said “We are so pleased to be able to make these grants to worthy projects in many regions of the state, from a small town with about 600 residents to the state’s largest city.” “This year, The 1772 Foundation’s investment in New Hampshire is protecting and revitalizing sixteen historic community landmarks, inspiring new donors and bringing new activity to under-utilized buildings, villages and downtowns,” she stated. She emphasized that good planning was an essential ingredient for the successful applicants. 

 

Thomas noted that grant criteria included the uniqueness or significance of the resource, visibility within the community, availability of additional funding, strength of local support, imminence or severity of threat to the resource, understanding of buildings’ needs, and the proposed plan’s adherence to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. 

 

"The 1772 Foundation is delighted to partner again with New Hampshire Preservation Alliance to bring funding to this impressive array of cultural and community assets in New Hampshire.  This cooperative arrangement with New Hampshire colleagues provides critical knowledge and expertise for this funding program, which would not be possible without their efforts." said Mary Anthony, Executive Director of The 1772 Foundation.  The 1772 Foundation grants were also awarded in each of the other five New England states. 

 

Grant recipients were: 

• Bedford Historical Society, Bedford for the Stevens-Buswell School (1921/1938),Exterior Restoration and Painting Grant: $5,000 
• Friends of Bradford Center Meetinghouse, Bradford for the Bradford Center Meetinghouse (1838), Window Restoration Grant: $7,500 
• Canterbury Shaker Village, Canterbury for the Village Schoolhouse (1823) Exterior Restoration and Painting Grant: $7,500 
• Chesterfield Historical Society, Chesterfield for the Stone House Tavern Museum (1831)  Porch Rehabilitation Grant: $7,500 
• Opera North, Cornish for the Beaman House, Blow-Me-Down Farm (1884)  Roof painting, storm sash repair, and front porch repair Grant: $7,500 
• Fitzwilliam Historical Society, Fitzwilliam for the Amos J. Blake House (1837) Exterior Repair and Painting Grant: $5,000 
• Mascoma Valley Preservation, Grafton for the Grafton Center Meetinghouse (1797) Exterior Painting Grant: $10,000 
• Haverhill Heritage, Inc., Haverhill for the Wentworth-Brown House (c. 1805) Exterior Painting Grant: $10,000 
• NH Audubon, Hebron for the Ash Cottage (c. 1800) Window Restoration Grant: $10,000 
• Jaffrey Historical Society, Jaffrey for the Monadnock #4 Fire Station (late 19^thcentury) Sill Replacement, Painting, Repointing, Window Restoration Grant: $5,850 
• Currier Museum of Art, Manchester for the Chandler House (c. 1865), Historic Window Replacement Grant: $7,500 
• N.H. Farm Museum, Milton for the Jones Farm (1780/1804/1833) Exterior Painting, Window Restoration, Foundation Repair Grant: $7,500 
• National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of New Hampshire, Portsmouth for the Moffatt-Ladd House & Garden  (1763/1840) Roof Replacement Grant: $7,500 
• Portsmouth Historical Society, Portsmouth for the Morton-Benedict House (1812) Repointing, Trim Repair Grant: $7,500 
• Portsmouth Women’s City Club, Portsmouth for the Women’s City Club (1913) Exterior Painting Grant: $9,150 
• Star Island Corporation, Rye for the Gosport Chapel (c. 1800) Exterior Restoration of Gable Ends Grant: $10,000 

The New Hampshire Preservation Alliance strengthens communities and stimulates local economies by encouraging the protection and revival of historic buildings and places.  

For more information, visit www.nhpreservation.org.    

 

The 1772 Foundation was named in honor of its first restoration project, Liberty Hall in Union, NJ, which was built in 1772 and is the ancestral home of the Livingston and Kean families. The late Stewart B. Kean was the original benefactor of The 1772 Foundation. The 1772 Foundation works to ensure the safe passage of our historic buildings and farmland to future generations. More information about The 1772 Foundation may be found at www.1772foundation.org. 

 

PHOTOS AVAILABLE. SEE DESCRIPTIONS OF PROJECTS AND QUOTES FROM PROJECT LEADERS BELOW

 

### 

 

 Detailed descriptions of the grant recipients in NH are listed below, in alphabetical order by town.   

Bedford Historical Society, Bedford 

Stevens-Buswell School (1921/1938), Exterior Restoration and Painting Grant: $5,000 

The Bedford Historical Society (BHS) has worked since 2010 to save this former school from demolition by the town, raising almost $500,000 for rehabilitation as a much-needed community center. With a recently secured 50-year renewable lease, this grant will support a lease requirement of having the building's exterior painted by September 1, 2022. Once the exterior work is complete, the next phase of restoration will address the original windows of the 1938 addition. 

 

“Receiving a grant from the NH Preservation Alliance and The 1772 Foundation is exactly what we need to assure the completion of the exterior painting of Bedford’s future community center.  The 101-year-old former Stevens-Buswell School is well on its way to serving the public once again, this time as a well-equipped community center that will foster and enhance local community spirit.” Susan Tufts-Moore, Board Member, Bedford Historical Society 

 

Friends of Bradford Center Meetinghouse, Bradford 

Bradford Center Meetinghouse (1838), Window Restoration Grant: $7,500 

This early 19^th century meetinghouse is a cherished National Register-listed landmark in Bradford’s historic center, owned by the town and stewarded by the all-volunteer Friends of Bradford Center Meetinghouse. Restoration of its thirteen original windows is a critical step in sealing the building’s envelope. This grant will provide the friends group a significant boost toward the necessary $33,000 window restoration cost. The Meetinghouse hosts community events throughout the year, including musical events and a children’s pageant.  

 

“Restoring the original windows on the 1838 Bradford Center Meetinghouse will shed new light on this vital landmark that is both situated centrally, but also holds a special place in the hearts of Bradford residents, preserving and protecting it for the future. We are once again offering our full concert series this summer and look forward to sharing the progress of this exciting project with the community.” Laurie Buchar, Friends of the Bradford Center Meetinghouse 

 

Canterbury Shaker Village, Canterbury 

Village Schoolhouse (1823) Exterior Restoration and Painting Grant: $7,500 

When built, this Canterbury Shaker Village schoolhouse was a model of mid-19^th century school design featuring spacious rooms and an adjacent arboretum for nature study. This grant, matched by $12,000 generated through NH Gives (a statewide fundraising event), will support repair and partial replacement of deteriorated clapboards, gutters, rainwater leaders, and other exterior features, and repainting of the entire building, including attached woodshed/privy. It is part of a Village-wide initiative to identify and address the needs of all 25 surviving Shaker buildings on this museum site, guided by a 2021 building assessment report. 

 

“We are overjoyed to learn that the Village is the recipient of a grant award from the NH Preservation Alliance through the 1772 Foundation!  The award of $7,500 will allow us to continue to build on the restoration of the Village’s beloved 1823/63 Schoolhouse.   

 

We are in the process of replacing and repairing clapboard, gutters and downspouts, and we’ve just scheduled a new roof replacement to begin by the end of June.  We’ve engaged historic window specialist, Jake Farmer to restore each of the Schoolhouse’s 26 windows. Jake is on his 6^th window, at $750.00 per window. 

  

Please know how grateful everyone at the Village is for your support.  It means much.”  

Leslie Nolan, Executive Director, Canterbury Shaker Village 

 

Chesterfield Historical Society, Chesterfield 

Stone House Tavern Museum (1831)  Porch Rehabilitation Grant: $7,500 

Chesterfield Historical Society (CHS) raised $300,000 to buy this historic tavern from a private owner. A 2019 NH Land & Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) grant funded the Historic Structures Report guiding their rehabilitation efforts. Building envelope repairs, window restoration and structural repairs in the attic have been completed. This 1772 grant with CHS’s $17,000 match will fund the rehabilitation of the early 20^th century porch. CHS plans to open the building as a history museum while highlighting original features, such as a beehive oven, ballroom, and bunk cubicles for coachmen and drovers. Apartments complement the public use. 

 

“The Chesterfield Historical Society is honored and grateful for the award from the 1772 Foundation and NH Preservation Alliance to rehabilitate the exterior of the porch on our historic Stone House Tavern.  This urban-style tavern is an iconic and treasured landmark that was built in 1831 with unique stone mason methods and rare features such as a beehive oven and second floor ballroom; in the near future, it will open as a museum so all may enjoy its beauty.” Harriet Davenport, President, Chesterfield Historical Society 

 

Opera North, Cornish 

Beaman House, Blow-Me-Down Farm (1884)  Roof painting, storm sash repair, and front porch repair  Grant: $7,500 

With a 32-year lease from the National Park Service, Opera North (ON) is creating a “park for the arts” at the National Register-listed Blow-Me-Down Farm. A $150,000 Northern Border Regional Commission grant and a $75,000 LCHIP grant have helped fund this multi-year rehabilitation. This 1772 grant will support roof painting, storm sash repair, and front porch repair. ON has adopted a formal maintenance plan aligned with NPS and Secretary of the Interior Standards. An annual summer-long arts festival will celebrate the arts as well as the farm’s sense of place and agrarian history, a fitting tribute to this survivor of the Cornish Colony. 

 

"When the NH Preservation Alliance selected Opera North's Blow-Me-Down Farm restoration project for 'Seven to Save' recognition, that raised-awareness helped propel our ongoing fund-raising effort for this partnership with the National Park Service," said Maria Laskaris, Opera North Development Director. "Having the Alliance put their own grant funds into this initiative underscores for donors just how important it is to preserve the piece of NH cultural history that Blow-Me-Down Farm represents. The NH Preservation Alliance advocacy is invaluable." Maria Laskaris, Director of Development, Opera North 

 

Fitzwilliam Historical Society, Fitzwilliam 

Amos J. Blake House (1837) Exterior Repair and Painting Grant: $5,000 

This grant will support the exterior repair and painting of the 1837 Amos J. Blake House. The house is a contributing resource in the National Register-listed Fitzwilliam Common Historic District, is owned by the Fitzwilliam Historical Society, and used as an active local history museum. This funded work is part of a larger restoration project identified in a 2020 conditions assessment, supported in part by a N.H. Preservation Alliance grant. The Blake House is one of three historic buildings on the Common that are open to the public. 

 

“The Fitzwilliam Historical Society is delighted to learn that we are the recipient of a 2022 New Hampshire Preservation Alliance grant in the amount of $5,000.00 made possible by an award from the 1772 Foundation. The grant funds will assist the Society in completing a major exterior restoration and preservation project at the Amos J. Blake House and Museum in Fitzwilliam which houses a unique collection of the town's history.” Dan Sutton, Vice-Chair FHS Board of Trustees 

 

Mascoma Valley Preservation, Grafton 

Grafton Center Meetinghouse (1797) Exterior Painting Grant: $10,000 

With a vision of repurposing the 1797 Grafton Center Meetinghouse as a general store and community gathering space, Mascoma Valley Preservation (MVP) has raised over $1 million for a multi-phased rehabilitation. Severely damaged by a fire before MVP purchased it in 2019, the building’s timber frame was restored in its first phase of work.. This grant will support exterior painting and provide critical matching dollars to unlock a $200,000 2021 LCHIP award, for which MVP has already raised $150,000. The Meetinghouse is one of only forty extant 18^thcentury meetinghouses in New Hampshire.  

 

“The rehabilitation of the Grafton Center Meetinghouse is our regional group's largest and most daunting project but we're not only fixing this iconic structure -- we're planning its new use for Grafton residents and the region. Having funders like the 1772 Foundation invest in the meetinghouse helps to make our vision for the building into a reality and we're very grateful.”Andrew Cushing, President, Mascoma Valley Preservation 

 

Haverhill Heritage, Inc., Haverhill 

Wentworth-Brown House (c. 1805) Exterior Painting Grant: $10,000 

This 1772 grant will help owner Haverhill Heritage, Inc. (HHI) paint the exterior of the 195’ long connected farmstead, one component of a multi-year rehabilitation project to save this community landmark defining the southern end of Haverhill Common. The house is a contributing structure in the National Register-listed Haverhill Corner Historic District and was listed on the N.H. Preservation Alliance’s 2018 Seven to Save. The rehabilitation project will ensure the building’s long-term preservation (in line with HHI’s mission) and re-imagine its use to create economic and educational opportunities for the region.   

-30- 

“The board and membership of Haverhill Heritage, Inc. are delighted to be named a recipient of this 1772 Foundation grant. It brings us one step closer to realizing our ultimate vision – a revitalized and rehabilitated Wentworth-Brown House on the south end of the historic Haverhill Common – truly a part of our heritage.” Pat Buchanan, Haverhill Heritage 

 

NH Audubon, Hebron 

Ash Cottage (c. 1800) Window Restoration Grant: $10,000 

Guided by a historic building assessment funded by the N.H. Preservation Alliance, this grant will help support the restoration of the 17 historic windows of the c. 1800 Ash Cottage. Owned by the NH Audubon, the $20,000 window restoration is part of a larger project to rehabilitate the cottage for housing for summer interns and to be used as meeting space for environmental programs. Approximately $60,000 has already been invested in repairing the foundation and siding as NH Audubon repurposes this currently underutilized resource. 

 

“We are so thankful and pleased to address the restoration of our windows at Ash Cottage thanks to the support of the NH Preservation Alliance. This project builds off the momentum we now have after receiving a grant last year from the Alliance to conduct a full historic building assessment for our beloved building. It is such an important part of our community in Hebron and serves as a hub for environmental programming in conjunction with our seasonal nature center, Paradise Point.” Doug Bechtel, President, NH Audubon 

 

Jaffrey Historical Society, Jaffrey 

Monadnock #4 Fire Station (late 19^thcentury) Sill Replacement, Painting, Repointing, Window Restoration Grant: $5,850 

The much-needed repairs of this late 19^th century firehouse will be realized with the support of this 1772 grant. The Jaffrey Historical Society will replace deteriorated sills and siding, restore windows, repoint the chimney and paint the building. The small firehouse now stores antique fire equipment with Jaffrey provenance, including a c.1827 “Firefly” rotary hand tub pumping engine. The work will be completed prior to the town’s 250th anniversary in 2023 and bring new opportunities for public engagement to this all-volunteer organization. 

 

"The Jaffrey Historical Society is thrilled to be named an awardee of the 2022 New Hampshire Historic Preservation Matching Grant!  These funds will provide the catalyst we need to preserve a 19th century fire station, located in the heart of our historic district, and open it as a museum just in time for the Town's 250th anniversary!" Bruce Hill, Past President, Jaffrey Historical Society 

 

Currier Museum of Art, Manchester 

Chandler House (c. 1865), Historic Window Replacement Grant: $7,500 

After years of community advocacy and negotiations with the then-owner Diocese of Manchester, the Currier Museum of Art (CMA) purchased the deteriorating Chandler House in 2021. An LCHIP grant and matching donations, and a 2021 1772 grant have funded a historic building assessment, National Register listing and initial stabilization of the house. This grant will help reconstruct and install five historic windows on the front of the house, which had been removed and bricked over, thus restoring the original fenestration of the main façade.  

 

“The rehabilitation of the Chandler House in Manchester will create a historic property for the entire community. The historic rooms, which feature original stained glass, carved wood, and embossed Japanese wallpaper, will extend the galleries of the Currier Museum of Art while providing convening spaces for community groups.  We are grateful to the NH Preservation Alliance for its support of this historic treasure.” Alan Chong, Director, Currier Museum of Art 

 

N.H. Farm Museum, Milton 

Jones Farm (1780/1804/1833) Exterior Painting, Window Restoration, Foundation RepairGrant: $7,500 

With this grant and a bequest, the N.H. Farm Museum (NHFM) will repair and paint the siding and trim, restore the windows, and stabilize the foundation of the north elevation of the Jones Farm, centerpiece of the museum. The farmstead buildings depicts the evolution of agriculture in N.H. from the 1700s to the 1940s. During the pandemic, NHFM has worked to improve visitor access to the museum’s entrance, addressing safety and visibility issues. The 1772 funded work will complement the visitor access improvements. 

 

“The New Hampshire Farm Museum's mission is to preserve, present, and carry forward New Hampshire's rich rural agricultural heritage.  As New Hampshire's premiere farming museum, we boast the most extensive collection of farming tools, implements and artifacts showcased on the Historic Jones Homestead.  This grant will permit us to make necessary foundation, clapboard, and painting repairs and renovations to the Northern side of the Jones building.  Completion of this project will enable us to establish the northern side of the Country Store as the official admission entrance to the Museum.” Janet Hotchkiss, M.S., Program Director, New Hampshire Farm Museum 

 

National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of New Hampshire, Portsmouth  

Moffatt-Ladd House & Garden  (1763/1840) Roof Replacement Grant: $7,500 

A National Historic Landmark, the Moffatt-Ladd House & Garden interprets the lives of the house’s former residents, including women and enslaved and free servants. This grant will help fund the roof replacement of the 1840 ell with historically accurate white cedar shingles, part of a two-part roof-replacement project. The Society has completed over $800,000 of capital projects since 2008, including a masonry project partially funded by The 1772 Foundation in 2020, and drainage work to protect the property from the effects of climate change.  

 

“This generous grant from the 1772 Foundation will help us to replace the ell’s roof with historically accurate white cedar shingles, which will ensure that this structure is preserved and protected from damage for years to come. The ell was moved and connected to the back of the Moffatt-Ladd main house in ca. 1840 from elsewhere on the property to serve as a woodshed, tool shed, and family privy, and now serves as the museum’s office to house important organization documents, the museum’s staff and volunteers, along with a public restroom and small garden shed. Having the office for staff and volunteers on the museum’s site allows the museum to operate more efficiently and effectively as a historic resource for our community.” Stephanie Rohwer Hewson, House Manager, Moffatt-Ladd House & Garden 

 

Portsmouth Historical Society, Portsmouth 

Morton-Benedict House (1812) Repointing, Trim Repair Grant: $7,500 

This grant will support selective repointing, resetting loose bricks, and repairing/replacing wood trim on the National Register-listed Morton-Benedict House, one of three Portsmouth Historical Society (PHS) buildings comprising the innovative Discover Portsmouth museum complex. PHS leases the building from the City of Portsmouth (50-year lease starting 2008) and views this project as a key demonstration of its stewardship. The PHS has successfully funded over $1.3 million of capital projects since 2008, receiving two LCHIP grants, significant private funding, and a 1772 Foundation grant (2021) for its John Paul Jones House. 

 

“The Morton-Benedict House has one of Portsmouth's most prominent facades, and it is a showpiece for the former library building that the Historical Society now occupies.  Its restoration will not only contribute to the life of the building but also the character of Portsmouth's historic district. Portsmouth Historical Society feels old buildings are witnesses to the aesthetic and cultural history of our city, helping give people a sense and connection to the past.” Sue Ann Pearson, Director of Development, Portsmouth Historical Society 

 

Portsmouth Women’s City Club, Portsmouth 

Women’s City Club (1913) Exterior Painting Grant: $9,150 

Located in the Portsmouth National Register Historic District, the Portsmouth Women’s City Club (PWCC) provides meeting space for the club, a safe home at a reasonable rent for nine single working women, and other public benefits. Recent capital improvements have included an $88,000 sprinkler system supported in part by a 2018 LCHIP grant and matching funds, and exterior painting of the façade and one side elevation supported by a 2021 1772 Foundation grant. The current grant will help the club complete the exterior painting project begun in 2021. 

 

“Members of the Portsmouth Women's City Club were thrilled to learn recently that the club was awarded a grant of $9,150 from the 1772 Foundation. The grant, administered by the NH Preservation Alliance, will help to fund the exterior painting of the club's house which sits prominently in the Portsmouth Downtown Historic District.” Carrie Barron, President, Portsmouth City Women’s Club 

 

Star Island Corporation, Rye 

Gosport Chapel (c. 1800) Exterior Restoration of Gable Ends Grant: $10,000 

This grant will support restoration of the cedar shingles and pine gable end trim boards of the iconic stone Gosport Chapel, a stand-alone project to protect one of Star Island’s most significant buildings. With extreme exposure to severe weather conditions on this remote island, Star Island Corp. has shown strong building stewardship and has been supported by four LCHIP grants since 2010 helping to fund over $600,000 in preservation projects. A 1772 Foundation grant supported fire safety improvements in 2020. Though closed in 2020 due to the pandemic, Star Island has focused on building resiliency and climate change while continuing to serve thousands of visitors each year. 

 

 “Located off the coast of Rye, NH, Star Island is a distinct public space, a historic site, a unique travel destination, and a cherished cultural and educational resource in the State of New Hampshire. The circa-1800 Gosport Chapel is a primary attraction on Star Island, and a fitting symbol of the unique historic experience enjoyed by thousands of visitors to Star Island each summer. Preserving this structure will allow many more visitors to continue to use and appreciate this beloved historic resource as it has been enjoyed by generations of visitors for over two centuries. Star Island is grateful to the 1772 Foundation and the NH Preservation Alliance for supporting this important work!” Peter Squires, Director of Development, Star Island 

 

-30-