Annual Highlights

Annual Highlights from 2007…

The Preservation Trust of Vermont was founded in 1980 to initiate and assist community and statewide efforts to preserve and use Vermont's rich collection of historic, architectural, and cultural resources. A primary focus is on downtown and village center vitality.

The Preservation Trust works primarily by building capacity at the local level by providing technical assistance, encouragement, and grant support. On a statewide level, the Trust and partners lobby for legislation that protects and strengthens downtowns, village centers, and the Vermont character. In 2007, our lobbying partnership with Smart Growth Vermont resulted in increased tax credits for property owners making improvements to their Designated Downtown and Village Center buildings.

To sum it up…the Preservation Trust, working in partnership with hundreds of local groups, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, several statewide nonprofits, local businesses, and generous donors, is helping to keep Vermont its own place while strengthening a local economy and sense of community.

Our map of Where We Worked in 2007 (printed version available upon request, elise@ptvermont.org) tallies over 300 community projects where we provided technical assistance, seed grants, financial help to fight big box sprawl development, and grant support in partnership with our funders. Each project represents a great story about what a local group is doing to save and use an historic building or strengthen their community. Here are some of the ways that we helped:

Field Service Program December 2007 marked the 10th anniversary of the Field Service Program in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Today, three part-time Field Service Representatives work with local organizations across the state. In 2007 they supported 305 projects in 158 different communities, providing technical assistance, encouragement, and seed grant support through the Robert Sincerbeaux Fund. In addition, they provided technical assistance for the repair of 52 barns in 36 towns.
Grants Throughout our history, the Preservation Trust has used grant-making as a key tool to stimulate and support local preservation efforts.
- Robert Sincerbeaux Fund—in honor of the Preservation Trust’s first benefactor, this fund provides seed grants to community organizations. Last year the Preservation Trust awarded 65 Robert Sincerbeaux Fund grants to local projects.
- Barn Grants—with funding from the Gannett Foundation and the Burlington Free Press, 12 barn owners received grants for condition assessments.
- Preservation Grants—since 1994, the Preservation Trust has partnered with the Freeman Foundation to provide over $9.6 million in bricks-and-mortar grants to 383 projects, resulting in over $100 million of preservation activity. Last year over $500,000 was awarded to 16 projects around the state.
- Community Fund Grants—with funding from an anonymous donor, the Preservation Trust committed $90,000 to support a variety of projects around the state including anti-sprawl efforts, the development of a village store in Starksboro, start-up of Local First Vermont, and New Dollars New Partners training program for churches offered by Partners for Sacred Places.
Downtowns and Village Centers The Preservation Trust focuses much of its work on strengthening downtowns and village centers while curbing commercial sprawl. This past legislative session, the Trust worked with Smart Growth Vermont to expand tax incentives for downtown and village center revitalization. At the same time, we fought against inappropriate out-of-town big-box development that zaps downtown vitality. In 2007, the Trust worked with Vermont Natural Resources Council and local citizens groups in Bennington , St. Albans , Middlebury, and Newport-Derby to oppose mega-sized big boxes proposed in those communities. Through a very generous donation, the Trust established a revolving fund to help combat threats to community centers. At the same time, we continue to work hard trying to convince large scale retailers to build smaller scale stores in our downtowns rather than on the edge of towns.

Easement Program In 2007, two protective easements were added; the Preservation Trust now holds 46 easements on 77 buildings, structures, and archeological sites. The vast majority of the sites are protected through a partnership with the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. The newest addition is the Mad River Glen Single Chair Lift. The single chair is important in the early development of the ski industry in Vermont . Mad River Glen’s is the last remaining single chair lift in its original location in the U.S! To protect this unique resource, the Preservation Trust worked with the Friends of the Single Chair to raise $1.23 million to help rehabilitate the lift for continued use.
Educational Programs The Preservation Trust’s electronic newsletter and web-site provide current news about preservation projects, advocacy initiatives, grant opportunities and new publications. In May, the Preservation Trust and the Division for Historic Preservation hosted the 13th annual Preservation Conference in Montpelier with over 200 people in attendance. At the conference, they honored eight Preservation Award Recipients. On a smaller scale, the Trust hosted six Grand Isle Lake House Retreats serving over 60 community organizations from around the state, thanks to funding from the Claneil Foundation and Dwight Asset Management. The two-day retreats are an opportunity to share ideas and learn about resources to help community projects. One of the best expressed outcomes, though, is the feeling that you’re not alone—others across the State are doing similar kinds of projects and succeeding!
Grand Isle Lake House Concerts and public activities were expanded at the Lake House . Besides the Preservation Trust retreats, a number of other non-profit organizations used the site for training and retreats. The historic hotel not only provides a face for the Preservation Trust, it also is an ongoing rehabilitation project. We are very grateful to the many individuals and organizations that have supported work at the Lake House . This year the 1772 Foundation awarded a $40,000 grant to help with structural repairs. Fundraising continues to complete repairs to the wrap-around porch.

The Preservation Trust provides encouragement, technical support and financial resources to communities and local organizations; but in the end we depend upon local commitment, leadership and passion to get this important work done. We are grateful to individual donors, businesses, and foundations that made this year’s astonishing collection of work possible!

Preservation Grants in Partnership with the Freeman Foundation

Addison, Lake Champlain Bridge NR Nomination
Bennington Municipal Building
Bradford Public Library
Brattleboro , Center Congregational Church
Bristol , Holly Hall
Burlington , AGR Fraternity
Burlington , First Unitarian Universalist Church
Cabot, Willey Building
Clarendon Grange Community Center
Colchester , Fort Ethan Allen Officers’ Row
Cornwall , Lavalley Store
Cornwall , Town Hall
Danville , Washburn Lodge
Derby Line, Haskell Library and Opera House
Derby Line, Universalist Church Parsonage – Derby Dabblers
Duxbury Congregational Church
Essex Downtown Block
Gayesville Community Church
Glynwood Barn
Granville Schoolhouse
Greensboro Culvert Study
Greensboro Town Hall
Hardwick, GRACE
Hardwick, Jeudevine Library
Isle LaMotte , Francis Ford Cabin
Jericho Center Congregational Church
Lyndon, First Congregational Church
Monkton, Willowell Foundation
Montgomery Historical Society Pratt Hall
Montpelier , Hubbard Tower
Morristown Centennial Library
Morrisville, Copley Country Club
North Hero Town Hall
Partners for Sacred Places Retreat
Pawlet Masonic Lodge
Peacham Community Housing Fundraising Workshop
Peru , First Congregational Church
Plainfield , Cutler Library
Plainfield , Goddard College
Pomfret Town Offices
Poultney, Trinity Episcopal Church
Pownal, Bartel’s Lodge
Pownal Community Church
Putney United Church
Richmond Area Business Association
Ripton Methodist Church
Roxbury Union Congregational Church
Rutland Chaffee Center for the Arts
Rutland, College of St. Joseph
Salisbury Old Town Hall Library and Historical Society
St. Johnsbury Railroad Heritage Society
Shelburne, Historic Preservation
Commissioner Training
Stowe Land Trust
Vermont Council on Rural Development
Creative Economy Conference
Vermont Division for Historic Preservation
Preserve America Application
Vermont Forum on Sprawl, Smart Growth
Awards
Vermont Historical Society Expo 2007
Vershire Town Center
Warren Public Library
Wells, St. Paul’s Church and Adams’ House
West Haven Baptist Church
West Topsham, New Hope United Methodist Church
White River Junction, St. Anthony’s Church
Williamstown United Federated Church

Through generous financial support from individuals, foundations and businesses, the Trust has doubled in size over the last ten years, adding Field Service staff and increasing grant amounts for community projects.

The focus has also evolved, from simply saving historic buildings to include a broader vision for historic preservation that includes supporting village store start-ups, encouraging statewide barn conservancy efforts, and opposing inappropriate commercial or civic development outside of a community’s central business districts.

Highlights from 2006…

The Preservation Trust does its work primarily by building capacity at the local level through technical assistance, grant support, and lots of encouragement. The 2006 Map and these Highlights tally over 250 projects undertaken. It is important to remember that every mark on the map represents a great story about what a local group is doing to save or use an historic building or strengthen their community. Here are some of the ways we help:

Field Service Program In 1997, the Preservation Trust started a Field Service Program in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Today, three part-time Field Service Representatives work with local organizations to save and use historic places. In 2006 they supported 256 projects in 135 different communities by providing technical assistance, encouragement, and grant support through the Robert Sincerbeaux Fund.

Grants Throughout its history, the Preservation Trust has used grant-making as a key tool to support local preservation efforts.

Downtowns and Village Centers The Preservation Trust focuses much of its work on strengthening downtowns and village centers while curbing commercial sprawl. This past legislative session, the Trust worked with Vermont Forum on Sprawl to expand tax incentives for downtown and village center revitalization and to establish a process for designating growth centers. The Preservation Trust took the lead on the downtown portion of the legislation, and the Forum took the lead on the growth center program. At the same time, we fought against inappropriate out-of-town big-box development that zaps downtown vitality. In 2006, the Trust worked with local citizens groups in Bennington , St. Albans , Morrisville, Middlebury, and Newport-Derby and with the Vermont Natural Resources Council to oppose mega-Wal-Marts proposed in those communities. Through a very generous donation, the Trust has been able to establish a special revolving fund to combat threats to community centers.

Easement Program In 2006, six new façade easements were added. The Preservation Trust holds 44 easements on 75 buildings, structures, and archeological sites. Each year, we make stewardship visits to each property. The vast majority of the sites are protected through a partnership with the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board.

Educational Programs In June, the Preservation Trust, the Division for Historic Preservation, and St. Albans for the Future hosted the 12^th annual Preservation Conference featuring Governor Phil Hoff’s keynote, With Heritage So Rich: 1966-2006. While the series of speakers and workshops provided learning opportunities, something was to be said for the face-to-face sharing of ideas over coffee, lunch or between sessions. This same kind of person-to-person mentoring happens on a smaller scale at the Grand Isle Lake House Retreats. Throughout the summer, the Trust host 2-day retreats for local volunteers who are working on preservation projects. Participants come away feeling encouraged with new ideas to further their individual projects. One of the best outcomes, though, is the feeling that they aren’t alone; others across the State are doing similar kinds of projects…and succeeding! An important educational outreach vehicle is the Preservation Trust’s electronic newsletter and web-site which provide news about preservation projects, advocacy initiatives, new publications, and grant opportunities.

American Precision Museum , Windsor
Bethany Church UCC of Randolph
Big Heavy World Foundation
BPOE, Bennington Lodge
Bradford Cemetery Association
Bridgewater Congregational Church
Bridport Historical Society, Inc.
Brookline Historical Society
Burlington City Arts
Chelsea Village Store
Chester Congregational Church
Clarendon Grange Community Center
DAR Strong Mansion , West Addison
East Barre Congregational Church
Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium
Fletcher Farm Foundation
Free and Accepted Masons, Wilmington
Grace United Methodist Church , Plainfield
Greensboro Historical Society
Greensboro Library
Henry Sheldon Museum of VT History
Huntington Historical and Community Trust
Hyde Park Opera House
Hyde Park Congregational Church
Island Arts
Keewaydin Foundation on Lake Dunmore
New Beginnings Christian Church, Concord
Northfield United Methodist Church
Norwich Historical Society
Old Parish Church , Weston
Old Stone House Museum , Brownington
Peacham Community Housing Trust
Peacham Historical Association
Pierce Store, Shrewsbury
Pittsford Preservation Corp.
Poultney Historical Society
Providence Island Association
Randolph Area Community Dev. Corp.
Randolph First Congregational Church
Reading Historical Society
Readsboro Historical Society
River Arts, Inc., Morrisville
Rockingham Arts & Museum Project
Roxbury Free Library
Rupert United Methodist Church
Solid Rock Assembly of God, Barton
South Londonderry First Baptist Church
St. John's in the Mountains Church , Stowe
St. Johnsbury Mt. Pleasant Cemetery
St. Johnsbury Railroad Heritage Society
The Intervale Foundation, Burlington
Tinmouth Historical Society
Town of Brighton
Town of Charlotte
Town of Guildhall
Town of Moretown
Town of Rupert
Town of Starksboro
Town of West Fairlee
Town of Wheelock
United Church of South Royalton
United Church of Underhill
University of Vermont
Upper Valley Assembly of God Church
Vermont Conservatory of Music
Vermont Forum on Sprawl
VT Council on Rural Development
VT Small Business Development Center
Washington County Mental Health Services
Weston Historical Society
Williamstown Art Conservation Center
Windsor Public Library
Woodstock Historical Society
Woodstock Recreation Center

Mount Holly Barn Preservation Association
Charlotte, Thorp Barn
Richmond , Dean Slocum
Montpelier , Bill Kaplan
So. Hero, Button Barn
Glover, Bread and Puppet Theatre
Benson, Lois Trenn
Alburg, Heather Darby
Shrewsbury , Ludie Biddle
Brandon, Alyssa Zollman
Plainfield , David Strong and Laura Zeisel
Brattleboro , Goodenough Farmstead Trust
Belmont, Cami Rowe
Richford, Colleen and Tim Pratt
Mt. Holly , Jill Gates-Paz
Ludlow , Marilyn Martin and Phil Dunwoody
Windsor, Dressler Barn
Belmont, Glenn Davis
Brookfield , Evangeline and Gene Parent
Cornwall , Gary Barnett and Louise Dion

In September 2005, the Preservation Trust marked our 25^th anniversary with a big celebration at the Shelburne Farms’ Breeding Barn. The barn was filled with displays describing projects and organizations we’ve helped over the years. Almost all of our work happens in partnership with local volunteer groups, and from the beginning our focus has been on building local capacity to do the important work of saving and using historic buildings. Out of that is born respect and good stewardship. The Breeding Barn was the perfect setting to reflect on how much has been accomplished by so many groups around the state!

Field Service Program In 2005, our three part-time Field Service Representatives, working in partnership with the National Trust, supported 220 local projects in 124 different communities! They provided technical assistance, encouragement, and grant support through the Robert Sincerbeaux Fund.

Grants Throughout our history, the Preservation Trust has used grant-making as a key tool to support local preservation efforts.

Village Revitalization Initiative—in partnership with Senator Patrick Leahy, the Preservation Trust granted in 2005-2006 18 major grants totaling $1.35 million to community preservation projects that are reclaiming or enhancing community gathering places, such as libraries, opera houses, and community halls.

Community Grants—with funding from an anonymous donor awarded in 2005, the Preservation Trust will be able to provide financial support to local advocacy initiatives, economic development activity in downtowns and village centers, and other initiatives that protect the essential character of Vermont .

Downtowns and Village Centers The Preservation Trust focuses much of its work on strengthening downtowns and village centers while curbing commercial sprawl. This past legislative session, the Trust led the successful effort to expand tax incentives for downtown and village center revitalization projects. This work was accomplished in partnership with the Division for Historic Preservation and the Vermont Forum on Sprawl. At the same time, we continued the fight against inappropriate out-of-town big-box development that zaps downtown vitality. We continue to advocate for smaller scale stores that can be located in downtown. In 2005, the Trust worked with local citizens groups in Bennington , St. Albans, and Derby and the Vermont Natural Resources Council to stop mega Wal-Marts proposed in those communities. A very generous donation has made it possible for us to establish a special revolving fund to combat threats to community centers.

Easement Program The Preservation Trust now holds façade easements on 65 properties. Each year, we make stewardship visits to each property.

Publications In honor of its 25^th Anniversary, Vermont Gathering Places by Peter Miller, was funded and sponsored the Preservation Trust. The book is a collection of 38 stories that highlight the places in the state where Vermonters gather to meet, discuss their towns, and keep the small-town traditions of the state thriving.

Funding Individual contributors, businesses, and foundations make this work possible with their annual support. We, and the hundreds of organizations we serve, are most grateful for their generosity.

2005 Preservation Grants in Partnership with the Freeman Foundation
Bellows Falls, Town Hall Theater
Canaan , Alice Ward Library
Bennington , Southern Vermont College
East Burke, Congregational Church
Colchester Schoolhouse
Craftsbury, United Church of Craftsbury
Irasburg, United Church
Jamaica Town Hall
Rupert Schoolhouses: Library and Town Offices
Saxtons River , Main Street Arts
South Woodstock Perkins Academy
West Addison, United Methodist Church
West Fairlee Women’s Club and Church
West Haven Historical Society, Schoolhouse
West Rutland Town Hall
Windsor Public Library

2005 Village Center Grants in Partnership with Senator Patrick Leahy
Bellows Falls, Rockingham Town Hall Theater
Bloomfield Town Hall
Brandon Old Town Hall
Brookfield Town Hall
Hardwick, Jeudevine Memorial Library
Hardwick Memorial Building
Hardwick Town House
Salisbury , Shard Villa
Strafford, Town House

2005 Robert Sincerbeaux Fund Grants
Alburg Historical Society, Fire House
Arlington Community Club
Barre Historical Society, Bakery Bldg.
Barre Preservation Society, St. Monica’s
Barre , VT Granite Museum
Barton United Church
Bellows Falls, Immanuel Episcopal
Bennington , Catamount Access
Bethel , Christ Church
Bethel Old Town Hall
Bradford , American Legion Post
Brattleboro , St. Michael’s Church
Brownington, Old Stone House Museum
Charlotte, Thorpe Barn
Chester Unitarian Universalist Church
Chester Congregational Church (2)
Colchester , Burnham Library
Corinth Town Hall
Cuttingsville, Laurel Hall wall coverings
Dorset United Church
Dorset Congregational Church
East Burke School
East Monkton Church
Enosburg Town Clerk’s Office
Enosburg Falls, Lincoln Lodge #78
Fayston, Mad River Glen Co-op
Fair Haven Opera House
Georgia Plain Baptist Church
Hardwick Fundraising Training
Hardwick, Northeast Kingdom Arts
Hyde Park Opera House
Irasburg United Church
Jamaica Town Hall
Lincoln , Burnham Hall
Londonderry, Thompsonburg School
Ludlow , Fletcher Farm Foundation
Marlboro College , Mumford House
McIndoe Falls Congregational Church
Middlesex United Methodist

Village Revitalization Grants in Partnership with Senator Patrick Leahy

Community Fund Grants

Barn Grants funded by The Burlington Free Press and The Gannett Foundation