HISTORIC VERMONT
An on-line news journal about the Preservation of Vermont’s Historic Architecture and Landscape
Number 10, December 30, 2001Published by the Preservation Trust of Vermont, 104 Church Street, Burlington, VT 05401
http://www.ptvermont.org
Send Us Your Thoughts
This issue of Historic Vermont completes the first year of publication of the Preservation Trust's electronic newsletter. If you having been meaning to be in touch with us regarding something about the newsletter, now is the time to do it! We are interested in all constructive comments and would like to make this newsletter useful for you. Please email meg@ptvermont.org or write to Meg Campbell, the Preservation Trust of Vermont, 104 Church Street, Burlington, VT 05401.
Vermont
National
Commentary
Publications & Resources
Events
Opportunities
VERMONTRehabilitating Historic Buildings using the Federal Tax Credit
Historic preservation is smart growth, and smart investment.State and federal historic rehabilitation tax incentives offer tax credits to owners who rehabilitate designated historic buildings in accordance with their historic character. These tools are designed to encourage economic investment in Vermont while helping to preserve its historic resources. The results of these tax incentives are evident in cities, towns, and villages throughout the state where old buildings have been given new life.
This calendar year the state reviewed 14 federal rehabilitation tax credit projects representing over $13.7 million in private investment. Federal rehabilitation work is proposed or ongoing in 17 communities covering 11 counties. Since 1991, over 160 income-producing historic buildings in Vermont have been rehabilitated using these tax credits, representing a construction investment of over $160 million dollars. Click here to see a list of tax credit projects in progress.
Enhancing the success of the federal tax credit program is the state's new historic preservation tax credit that provides $300,000 a year in tax credits to encourage more investment in downtown areas. This year, 9 state tax credit applications were approved, leveraging nearly $5.5 million in downtown rehabilitation. In its first three years, the state credit has helped stimulate over $16 million dollars in construction activity in Vermont's Designated Downtowns.
It's important to note that these historic tax credit programs not only give old and historic buildings a place in the contemporary real estate market, but they also help create jobs and units of affordable housing, promote tourism, preserve open space, increase property values as well as state and local tax revenues. What's more, recent studies have shown that every million dollars spent in rehabilitation creates nine additional direct jobs, nearly five indirect jobs and $120,000 more dollars to a local community.
Contact Chris Cochran 828-3047 ccochran@dca.state.vt.us for more information on rehabilitation tax credits and how they can help historic buildings in your community.
National Register News: The National Park Service has recently listed the following Vermont properties on the National Register of Historic Places:
The Chaffee-Moloney Houses in Rutland. The buildings are two connected 1885 brick Queen Anne style houses, one built as a single family house and the other as a duplex. They are examples of Rutland’s residential expansion during the late nineteenth century. The houses are the only structures associated with Thomas W. Moloney, a prominent late nineteenth century Rutland attorney, Irish Democrat, and lobbyist for the 1892 Rutland City Charter. They were recently rehabbed for affordable housing using the Rehabilitation Tax Credit.The Cora B. Whitney School in Bennington. The large brick and stone Colonial Revival style school, built in 1897, was nominated under the “Education Resources of Vermont” Multiple Documentation Form. The school exhibits many Colonial Revival features and represents many of the progressive educational trends in late nineteenth century Vermont. This building was recently rehabbed for affordable housing using the Rehabilitation Tax Credit.
The Remington-Williamson Farm in Huntington. This farmstead, consisting of an 1830 brick, Federal style farmhouse, a large, 3 1/2 story 1895 late bank barn, and an 1840 barn with attached pole shed was nominated under the “Agricultural Resources of Vermont” Multiple Property Documentation Form. It is a good example of a river bottom farm that, through evolving farming practices, has remained in continuous agricultural use since 1830. Buildings on the farm were recently rehabbed using the Rehabilitation Tax Credit.
The Scott Farm Historic District in Dummerston. This mid-nineteenth century farmstead and early twentieth century commercial apple orchard was nominated under the “Agricultural Resources of Vermont” Multiple Documentation Form. The district consists of 16 contributing buildings, 7 contributing structures and 571 acres of apple orchards, woodlots, meadows and forests. It is significant as an example of the evolution of Vermont farms from the mid-1800’s to the mid-1900s. It is also a good example of a Vermont farmstead and the main nineteenth century farmstead buildings and Dutton farmhouse, c. 1845, are good examples of vernacular Greek Revival architecture.
Saltus Grocery Store in Burlington. A two story, vernacular Italianate corner store built in 1897 in an historic immigrant neighborhood of the Old North End of Burlington and listed under the Neighborhood Stores Context of the “Historic and Architectural Resources of Burlington, Vermont” Multiple Property Documentation Form. The property was recently rehabbed into office space on the first floor and an apartment above using the Rehabilitation Tax Credit and is part of an ongoing community effort to revitalize the neighborhood.
PRESERVATION IN PROGRESSSt. Johnsbury, St. Johnsbury Athenaeum
The St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, a National Historic Landmark, and designated Save America's Treasure's project, is undertaking an important and highly visible restoration project on the historic front entrance. The project includes replacing cracked and uneven granite stairs, widening the hazardous top step, restoring original light fixtures and leaning lamp pole, replacing loosened pipe handrails and repaving the chipped and broken asphalt sidewalk with a brick pattern taken from historic photographs. Under the direction of a preservation architect Jeff Baker of Mesick Cohen Wilson Baker in Albany, New York, the work will comply with architectural standards outlined in the Athenaeum's Historic Structure Report. The contractor is Dennis Laferriere of Laferriere Construction in West Danville.The building is funded by a special legislative appropriation from the 2001 Vermont Capital Construction Bill, a Cultural Facilities grant, gifts from, the Flint Family Fund, the Jane B. Cook Charitable trust, and the Athenaeum's Landmark & Legacy Campaign.
For more information about the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, visit http://www.stjathenaeum.org/index.htm.
Pittsford, Pittsford Post Office
A proposal to relocate the Pittsford Post Office away from the center of town has won Act 250 approval over the objections of some residents. Full Story: http://rutlandherald.nybor.com/News/RutlandCounty/Story/38834.html
In previous issues, Historic Vermont has highlighted in-progress preservation projects that are coordinated by community groups or non-profit organizations. Equally important to the fabric of community life in Vermont are the preservation projects undertaken by individuals, affordable housing corporations, and for-profit enterprises. Following are the 2001 projects that are in the process of taking advantage of the federal and/or state Rehabilitation Investment Tax Credit (see article above).
Commemorating Pearl Harbor and a Call to Action
In a salute to the memory of those who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the National Trust and the Historic Hawaii Foundation call on all Americans to support a national initiative to protect this historic place. While the U.S. Navy has taken steps to address preservation concerns at Ford Island, the centerpiece of the Pearl Harbor National Historic Landmark District, many structures that remain from the War years are at risk.You can help preserve Pearl Harbor by visiting the National Trust's web site at http://www.nationaltrust.org and taking the time to fill out the on-line form to register your support for policies that will preserve this national treasure and historic site.
From the Preservation Advocate News, published by the National Trust’s Department of Public Policy and distributed via e-mail to its grass roots advocacy network. For further information contact: National Trust for Historic Preservation, Department of Public Policy, 1785 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20036, 202-588-6254 (phone), 202-588-6038 (fax), policy@nthp.org (e-mail). To sign up directly for e-mail delivery, visit the National Trust home page at http://www.nthp.org and click on Congressional Advocacy Center and follow the links to “Action E-List.”
Farm Bill Includes Preservation Provisions
On December 19th, the Senate failed to move forward with a vote on the farm bill, effectively delaying further consideration of the bill until January.Among the bill titles are two non-controversial and widely supported preservation amendments. The first is the "National Historic Barn Preservation Act" (S. 1604), a bill introduced by Senator James Jeffords (I-VT), which was incorporated as part the farm bill's Rural Development Title. Jeffords' bill authorizes $25 million over the next five years for grant funding to protect historic barns. Also included in the Senate farm bill is a companion version of the historic and archeological resources amendment that is already included in the House farm bill. The amendment makes historic buildings, structures, objects, and archaeological sites on farmlands eligible for incentives provided under the Farmland Protection Program (FPP), including the purchase of conservation easements.
Taken in part from the Preservation Advocate News, published by the National Trust’s Department of Public Policy and distributed via e-mail to its grass roots advocacy network. For further information contact: National Trust for Historic Preservation, Department of Public Policy, 1785 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20036, 202-588-6254 (phone), 202-588-6038 (fax), policy@nthp.org (e-mail). To sign up directly for e-mail delivery, visit the National Trust home page at http://www.nthp.org and click on Congressional Advocacy Center and follow the links to “Action E-List.”
With the start of the new Legislative Session just ahead, we thought you would enjoy reading a portion of Senator Vince Illuzzi's remarks on the floor as he described the Institutions Committee's proposed Capital Bill. Chairman Illuzzi has been a prime advocate of supporting community projects with state funding. These state funds have been critical to a number of preservation projects around the state. Not everyone agrees with Illuzzi's approach, and it will no doubt be a subject of discussion again this year.
"...But restoring out Statehouse hasn't been as controversial as committing state dollars to help our communities take a new look at themselves. The National trust for Historic Preservation believes that historic preservation and restoration "...is a powerful tool for stimulating new investment...and building community. Perhaps most important, it calls on us to realize that responsibility for preserving the character and livability of our communities rests with us.""Over the past ten years, with relatively small grants, we have empowered and encourage community leaders to work with their neighbors to undertake local restoration projects. The individuals who undertake these largely volunteer duties share common goals and a sense of accomplishment, as well as helping to illuminate the rich history of our state. With the help of many private and business contributors, like the Freeman Foundation, and organizations like the Preservation Trust of Vermont, we have helped communities re-establish their sense of place.
"Doing so lends credence to the expression that vermont is what America used to be. These projects help us -- and others -- to confirm it. They see it. They feel it. They touch ti. Those of us who live here know that we don't live in just Anyplace, U.S.A. You've seen all those places. One town looks like the other. All designed to worship the automobile. Pedestrians take their lives into their own hands to cross one of those modern intersections.
"Many past initiatives come to mind. The Paramount Theater in downtown Rutland is one. A $125,000 initial appropriation generated so much enthusiasm in the Rutland area that million more were raised from private donors to undertake and complete a ground up restoration of that historic downtown building. Today, it helps make Rutland a much better place in which to live and work. And similar positive impacts have resulted with our helping hand all around Vermont.
"Restoration projects involving museums, historical societies and town libraries also have been high on our list. Long forgotten and virtually ignored by many towns during out love affair with strip malls and shopping centers, more and more communities are re-focusing their interest in these places. Speaking of libraries, some of those we helped have set up computers connected to the world wide web. They provide a sanctuary where anyone, young or old, can go, site, relax and learn on the internet or by reading a good old fashioned book.
"By supporting these types of projects, we have helped people establish common interests and common goals. And when people share the same interests and goals, they establish a stronger sense of community.
"If a state is a sum of its communities, then lending them a helping hand will only make them and our state stronger."
PUBLICATIONS & RESOURCESNew and Improved PreserveNet Website
PreserveNet is designed to provide preservationists with a comprehensive database of regularly updated internet resources and current professional opportunities. Established in 1994 by Cornell University's Michael Tomlan and Bob Pick, PreserveNet was the result of a collaborative effort by preservation students of various universities interested in providing preservation information in what was then a new and exciting arena, the internet. Updated and expanded in 2001, PreserveNet continues to utilize the many internet resources of various preservation organizations and businesses and maintains a current listing of professional and educational opportunities. http://www.preservenet.cornell.edu/index.htmlBurlington 1830 Project
Like snapshots that freeze a moment of the ever-changing past, few archival documents provide such rich insights into the physical history of communities as do historic street maps. Indeed for researchers studying historic sites and changes in the built environment, this is one of the most important types of archival evidence available.In the fall of 2000, graduate students in UVM Professor Thomas Visser's Researching Historic Structures and Sites course launched a semester-long research project incorporating images of the first known map of Burlington, drawn in 1830 by architect-planner Ammi B. Young . The website resources detail the results of their study and include an overlay of the 1830 map onto 1998 aerial photographs of Burlington, followed by current photographs and historical research text for each of the structures that survive from the 1830 map.
Check out this fascinating project: http://www.uvm.edu/histpres/HPJ/burl1830/intro.html
"Preservation" is now On-Line
Preservation magazine's web site http://www.preservationonline.org. has excerpts from its award-winning magazine as well as new content every day. Preservation is the magazine of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the organization that works to revitalize our communities and save our beloved historic places.
Illustrated with full-color photography and artwork, Preservation offers lively writing by the nation’s best journalists on controversies, trends, accomplishments, and events of importance to cities, towns, suburbs, and rural communities. If you haven’t been subscribing to the magazine, you’ve missed articles on golf sprawl, comeback downtowns, the strangest house in the world, Old Havana, Kate Chopin’s Creole roots, our broken National Park system, Monticello’s untold story, and much more. In every issue, you’ll also find essays, book reviews, humor, and travel writing.
In a recent issue, Carol Maurer of Burlington wrote an extensive article about Barre's Socialist Labor Party Hall. Following is an excerpt from the article, which can be read in its entirety on the Preservation Trust website: http://www.ptvermont.org. Click on the News and Commentary button and scroll to the article.
The Socialist Labor Party Hall
by Carol MaurerIt was a preservationist’s nightmare. On October 4, 1994, dozens of boxes filled with historic documents stored in one of the city’s most significant buildings were trucked off to a distant landfill. And, the fate of the building itself was in doubt. Built in 1900 by Italian immigrant granite workers, the Socialist Labor Party Hall in Barre, Vermont, an icon of the city’s turbulent past, seemed to have reached the end of the line.
When a local bank foreclosed on the Vermont Pak Tomato Company, a storage facility that had most recently occupied the building, Karen Lane, Library Director at the Aldrich Public Library, requested and received permission for the library’s archivist to examine the contents of the boxes. Instead of the promised call from the bank, however, she was stunned to receive a call from a friend informing her that the contents of the building had been hauled away. Karen and Joelen Mulvaney, who had researched and written about the building, made a frenzied rush to the landfill in a desperate but futile attempt to recover the documents.....
Mark Your Calendars!
Vermont's 8th annual Historic Preservation Conference has been tentatively set for Friday May 10th, 2002 in Rutland. For more information, please contact conference@ptvermont.org.
Wanted: Top Preservation Projects
Nominations are now open for the 2002 National Preservation Awards, sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Past recipients in Vermont include the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, Shelburne Farms and Chester Liebs. Click here for more information: http://www.nationaltrust.org/news/docs/20011203_awards.html Or write to: Preservation Awards, National Trust for Historic Preservation, 1785 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C., 20036. E-mail: awards@nthp.org. Phone: (202) 588-6236
American Planning Association
Call for Presentations
The 2002 APA Region 1 Conference Committee is issuing this call for presentations for the 2002 Region 1 Conference to be held at the Westin Hotel in Providence Rhode Island on September 12 - 14, 2002. The conference theme is "PLANNING OUTSIDE THE BOX: CONNECTING PLANS AND PEOPLE". Examples might include smart buildings, legislative advocacy, public / private partnerships, innovative brownfield reuse, public involvement in plan implementation etc.The Committee will accept submissions for single and double session time frames until Friday February 15, 2002. Individuals who have an innovative or educational topic they would like to present but not a full session plan are also encouraged to submit a one page proposal description. The Committee will review all individual submittals and contact those whose proposal may fit into the program by April 1, 2002.
Please provide a one to two page description of the proposal with as much detail as possible and the attached outline form. Up to 5 pages of supporting material will also be accepted. A minimum of two confirmed speakers is required by February 15, 2002. All confirmed speakers must be identified by May 1, 2002. Submit your program description and outline by February 15th to:
Jeanne Boyle, RIAPA 2002 Program Co-chair
P.O. Box 14752
East Providence, RI. 02914
NEA Offers Challenge America Fast Track Grants to Fund Community Arts Projects
The National Endowment for the Arts ( http://www.nea.gov ) is currently offering funding through its Challenge America initiative to help strengthen families, communities, and the nation through the arts. The initiative challenges America's communities to forge partnerships that will build a healthy and active arts community, and expand understanding about the vital role of the arts in enhancing national creativity, community spirit, and the preservation of America's living artistic cultural heritage. The program's goals are to foster arts education and community-wide public outreach initiatives in rural or underserved areas, and to engage artists, arts organizations, and American communities in partnership to make the arts central to community life.The Arts Endowment will award approximately 400 grants of $5,000 or $10,000 each for projects that serve rural areas or underserved communities. All grants must be matched one-to-one. Eligible organizations may apply for existing or new projects that address only one of the following priority areas: partnerships between arts organizations and community groups for artists' residencies that provide positive alternatives for youth (Deadline: February 1, 2002); and partnerships between arts organizations and community groups that highlight the potential of the arts to address key community concerns (Deadline: May 1, 2002).
Every application must be submitted on behalf of a partnership. While the NEA encourages partnerships that involve arts and non-arts sectors, partnerships that involve arts organizations working only with other arts organizations are also eligible.
Hard copies of guidelines and application forms may be ordered by filling out the Challenge America Fast Track Grants Guidelines Order Form at the NEA Web site.
RFP Link: http://www.nea.gov/guide/Challenge02/ChallengeIndex.html
For additional RFPs in Arts and Culture, visit: http://fdncenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_arts.jhtml
Announcing Preservation Week 2002, May 12-18 and the second annual Preservation Week poster contest!
The theme of Preservation Week 2002 expands on the conference theme, "The Spirit of Place." It's about more than saving historic buildings. It's about embracing the many layers of our past. From Native American archaeology to Atlanta's inner neighborhoods, America's heritage belongs to everyone from all walks of life. Celebrating the rich tapestry of America's past is essential to ensuring its future - and Preservation Week is the time for communities to show how they value the diversity that make them unique.The 2002 poster contest is officially underway! The winning poster will become the National Trust's official Preservation Week poster, and will be seen in displays and celebrations across the nation. Last year, three winners and 10 honorable mentions were chosen from 145 entries nationwide. Any school, nonprofit organization or state/local government is eligible to compete in the contest.
The National Trust will award cash prizes of $2,000, $1,500 and $1,000 to the top three winners. The deadline for entries is Jan. 4, 2002, and the official poster will be available in February.
For more information about Historic Vermont, to subscribe or to unsubscribe to the email version, or to submit something for publication please contact Meg Campbell, Editor. meg@ptvermont.org