VERMONT
Middlebury, Middlebury Town Offices
The Preservation Trust of Vermont has committed $15,000 to
the town of Middlebury to develop cost estimates for maintaining
municipal services in downtown Middlebury. One option
would be to rebuilding and restore its existing structure at
College and South Main Street to the former 2 1/2 story historic
structure. The upper two floors of the historic building, the
former Middlebury High School, were destroyed in a fire.
This counters a petition circulated by Gerard
Trudeau which would force the selectmen to make a deal with
Middlebury College: exchange the land where the current
offices reside for the property at the Maple Manor Motel on
Route 7, and the college would pay off the $3 million bond used
to construct a new municipal building. Mr. Trudeau hopes
to incorporate his petition into the Town Meeting Day
agenda. Middlebury College has in the past expressed
interest in demolishing the existing structure and attached
municipal gymnasium and create a park.
PTV believes strongly that moving the town
offices outside of the town will draw businesses and services
away from the town center, weaken the community and encourage
sprawl. In addition, the Municipal Gym is actively used
and important attraction for drawing people to downtown
Middlebury. The Middlebury Planning Commission has already
voiced its concern to the town officials that moving the town
offices out of downtown would be against the principles of the
town plan.
In addition to the commitment of planning
funds, the Preservation trust has indicated that as much as
$85,000 could be granted to the town to help cover the costs of
a downtown solution.
What's Happening with Vermont Barns?
Vermont is filled with historic barns, many of which are in
rapidly deteriorating condition. Following are three updates
about what some people around the state are doing to help keep
the barns as a part of our landscape.
Barn Grant Update
The applications for Barn Grants exceeded the expectations of
the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation.
By the deadline on Monday, the Vermont
Division for Historic Preservation received 60 applications
asking for $448,000 (of a total of $140,000 to grant) for $1.1
million in projects. An application was received from all but
one county in Vermont, totaling 10 more applications this year
than last. The maximum grant this year is $10,000.
The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation will make awards
on March 14. And for next year, the Governor's budget
for FY2003 has $150,000 allocated to matching Barn Grants!
Grants between $1,000 - $7,500 are awarded
to owners of historic barns and other agricultural buildings
that are listed in or eligible for listing in the National
Register of Historic Places. Grants are 50/50 matching
grants for repair and restoration of historic agricultural
buildings. For more information, contact: Vermont
Division for Historic Preservation, National Life Building,
Drawer 20, Montpelier, VT 05620-0501. Telephone: (802)
828-3043.
ergilbertson@dca.state.vt.us
Mad River Valley Barns
The Mad River Valley has an impressively intact rural working
landscape. The Mad River Certified Local Government (CLG) has
been carrying out a project to assess the barns in the valley
-- contacting all barn owners and finding out about condition,
rehabilitation needs, and future plans. Tara Hamilton,
the CLG Coordinator, and PTV have been exploring the idea of
creating a Mad River Valley Barn Conservancy program.
Recently the Mad River CLG received $1,250 from Walter Cerf
to support four education barn conservation sessions.
Cornwall, Jack Watts' Barns
In Cornwall, Jack Watts owns four interconnected barns: an
18th century English barn with attached mid-19th century sheep
barn (one of the few unaltered in the state); a 19th century
stock barn originally for breeding Morgan horses converted to
dairy barn; and a 19th century carriage barn. All of the barns
are in need of repair. Mr. Watts is exploring ways to restore
the barns and use them for an educational purpose. Last
month, he invited representatives from the Middlebury Area
Land Trust, Preservation Trust, UVM, Preservation Education
Institute, Sheldon Museum, Jeremiah Parker, and interested
Cornwall residents to a meeting to brainstorm a mechanism for
using the barns as a training ground for apprentices
interested in traditional building techniques. This is
in the early stages, but if successful, it could be great
partnership for training, testing and monitoring different
repair techniques and products.
Downtown Redevelopment Task Force Report
The Task Force on Upper Stories, Villages and New Town Centers
has prepared a report to the General Assembly presenting a
number of proposals for reform. The report recommends
statutory, regulatory and policy reforms and other incentives
that promote the redevelopment of the second and third floors of
older and historic buildings in municipal centers and encourage
development of housing and mixed-uses in town and village
centers, downtowns and new town centers. The report presents
financial incentives, solutions to building code issues,
permitting changes, and state policy reform that would promote
downtown redevelopment.
The Downtown Program, the Vermont Forum on
Sprawl and Preservation Trust support the Task Force's report
and are working on encouraging passage of legislation that would
make available more state dollars for downtown development. For
copies of the report, please contact Laurel Farnum at lfarnum@dca.state.vt.us
Northshire Museum and History Center
Names Executive Director
The Board of Directors of the Northshire Museum and
History Center has named Sally Dodge Mole as its new executive
director. This is a major step in the process of creating a
museum on the Palmer property in Manchester which comprises Ye
Olde Tavern, the Oliver Rice House, and five other historic
structures. The museum and history center will house the
Manchester Historical Society and display selections from the
historical societies of the Northshire, Londonderry, and Weston.
City of Burlington Designated a Renewal
Community
On Tuesday Mike McNamara had a press conference with the City of
Burlington to announce that the ONE and downtown areas of
Burlington were now a designated Renewal Community. This
designation offers a business several tax incentives including
wage credits for hiring people who live in the Renewal
Community, increased section 179 deductions for certain
depreciable property, 0% capital gains when selling assets and
accelerated depreciation for commercial real estate involving
construction or substantial rehab.
For more information, contact: Kenn Sassorossi, Vice President,
Program Development, Housing Vermont, 123 St. Paul Street,
Burlington, VT 05401
(802) 863-8424, Fax: (802) 660-9034 kenn@hvt.org
National Register News
National Register News: The National Park Service has recently
listed the following Vermont properties on the National
Register of Historic Places:
New Discovery State Park in Peacham
Part of a group of state parks constructed by the Civilian
Conservation Corps (CCC) in Vermont in the 1930s as part of
President Roosevelt’s New Deal Program. The parks’
landscaping and rustic architecture are typical of parks
constructed by the CCC nationwide and reflect a period of
social and conservation reform as well as new tourism and
recreation trends. The parks were nominated to the National
Register under the nationwide Historic Park Landscapes in
National and State Parks Multiple Documentation Form.
This project was a collaboration between the Vermont
Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, the University of
Vermont Historic Preservation Program and the Division for
Historic Preservation.
Bellows Falls Neighborhood Historic
District, Rockingham
A predominantly residential district located adjacent to the
Bellows Falls Downtown Historic District, which is already
listed on the National Register. The district
contains 224 contributing buildings and 11 noncontributing
buildings. It is a densely settled neighborhood with
quiet, tree lined streets and closely spaced buildings with
uniform setbacks and many with carriage barns or garages. Most
of the buildings were built between 1870 and 1900, largely in
the Italianate and Queen Anne styles, although a wide variety
of styles are represented. The development of the
streets in this residential neighborhood followed the growth
of Bellows Falls as demand for homes close to the commercial
and industrial core of the community increased. This
project was undertaken by the Town of Rockingham in an ongoing
effort to recognize its historic resources as part of its
community revitalization efforts.
PRESERVATION IN PROGRESS
Hardwick, Jeudevine Library
Built in 1896 by Lambert Packard, architect of Fairbanks Museum
and Athenaeum in St. Johnsbury, the Jeudevine Library in
Hardwick is one of Vermont's finest example of the Richardsonian
Romanesque architectural style. Last month Friends of the
Jeudevine Library formed to help raise funds to restore and
provide handicap access to the town-owned building.
Preservation Trust will help the group form a plan by providing
a Robert Sincerbeaux Fund grant to update a Historic Structures
Report that was done over ten years ago. The next meeting
of the Friends group is Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Jeudevine
Memorial Library. Librarian, Lisa Sammet, said anyone is
welcome to attend.
SUCCESS STORIES
PTV is developing a collection of Preservation Success
Stories in order for people to share and learn from others'
innovative approaches, experience and wisdom. Following is
a summary of a recent addition to our Success Stories.
Community Based Real Estate Investment
A Case Study: Otter Creek Investment Fund, LLC
The story of the Otter Creek Investment Fund takes place in
Vergennes, VT. Using the tools of commercial real estate
development in conjunction with the 20% Rehabilitation
Investment Tax Credit and the 5% Vermont Tax Credit, members
of the community purchased and rehabilitated a vacant
condemned building at the end of Main Street. Through
careful design and planning, the building now known as the
Basin Block, was rehabilitated to provide three Main Street
retail spaces office space. The corporation was able to
offer initial rent concession to attract and retain the type
of business that will provide new and improved services and
products to downtown -- a food coop, physical therapist, a
tailor, a women's clothing store, and professional offices.
Click here to read the whole story:
To read the full story of the Otter Creek Investment Fund and
other successful programs, please check out http://www.ptvermont.org
and click on the Success Stories button.
PUBLICATIONS & RESOURCES
Starting with Staff: A Guide for the
Nonprofit Board
New National Trust publication offers advice on staffing the
all-volunteer organization.
It's a big step when an all-volunteer
organization decides to employ a paid director. Although the
process starts out as an exciting expansion, full of
possibility, hiring the first paid staffer is not simply a
handing-off of responsibilities. Board members and the new
director will have to consider new issues, make compromises, and
stretch themselves in unanticipated ways.
Starting with Staff: A Guide for the
Nonprofit Board, a new publication from the National Trust
for Historic Preservation, offers suggestions to make the
transition easier. This 28-page publication, written by
Christine Graham, covers the hiring process, recruitment, the
work environment, compensation, the relationship between the
board and director, delineation of board and staff assignments,
and much more through helpful articles and sidebars.
Christine Graham is a consultant to nonprofit
organizations. She has worked with scores of small, start-up,
and evolving groups over the years and is the author of several
books on fundraising including Keep the Money Coming and
Blueprint for a Capital Campaign.
Starting with Staff (order number 2I11) is now
available from Preservation Books for $10 including postage and
handling. To order a copy, call (202) 588-6296 or visit our Web
site at www.preservationbooks.org.
The National Trust for Historic
Preservation is a private, nonprofit membership organization
dedicated to protecting the irreplaceable. With more than a
quarter million members nationwide, it provides leadership,
education and advocacy to save America's diverse historic places
and revitalize communities. It has six regional offices and 20
historic sites and works with thousands of local community
groups in all 50 states. For more information, visit the
National Trust's Web site at www.nationaltrust.org.
New Web Site: www.preservationdirectory.com.
PreservationDirectory.com is a new research tool and resource
for preservation organizations, restoration professionals and
the general public. The web site currently provides the
following:
- Listings of upcoming preservation Events,
Conferences and Seminars.
- Comprehensive directory of online
Preservation Organizations (Historical Societies, Museum
Groups, etc.) in North America, by State and Province.
- Listings of Historic Preservation
Educational Programs - from Graduate Programs to National
Park Service Programs.
- Directory of Historic Properties for Sale
in North America.
- Comprehensive directory of Links - over
700 essential links in 78 Categories.
- Extensive Mailing Lists of Cultural
Resource Programs, Historic Sites, and Businesses.
- Directory of Businesses & Services in
Historic and Cultural Resource Preservation - from
Historic Consultants to Architecture, Bed and Breakfasts,
Roadside Attractions, and Building Restoration
Professionals.
- Comprehensive Bookstore containing links
to Essential Publications in Preservation.
- A diverse Photo Database displaying
Photography of Historic Regions, Structures and Classic
Americana.
- Web Design capabilities geared towards
Historic Societies and Cultural Resource Organizations and
Services.
Robert Todd Lincoln's Hildene and How It Was Saved
1975-1978
by Donald B. Keelan
The preservation community has restored lots of wonderful
historic Vermont buildings over the years, but we somehow never
get around to telling the stories when all is said and done.
In his new book, Don Keelen documents the
efforts of the Friends of Hildene and how they saved Robert Todd
Lincoln's home after the 1975 death of Mary "Peggy"
Lincoln Beckwith, a great-granddaughter of Abraham Lincoln and
the last of the President's descendants to live at Hildene.
The Friends of Hildene is a non-profit organization formed
to oversee, "the preservation of Hildene's open land and
the restoration of those buildings that best serve the public as
an educational and cultural resource and as a memorial to the
Lincoln family." Today, Hildene welcomes thousands of
visitors from around the world who arrive to enjoy this
meticulously restored home with its elegant formal gardens and
to participate in the many special events held annually on the
beautiful grounds of the estate.
We should all do so well in telling our
stories!
For copies, please contact: The Keelan
Family Foundation, 3302 VT Rt 7A, Arlington, VT 05250.
EVENTS
March 6-17
A production about the Value of our Communities
Vermont Stage Company presents Our Town by Thornton
Wilder
FlynnSpace, Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, Burlington.
“Do any human beings ever realize life while they live
it----every, every minute?” So says Emily Webb in this
timeless classic celebrating the wonder of being alive.
Set in a small New England town at the turn of the last century,
Our Town reminds us of a simpler time and the value of community
and family. Directed by Mark Nash and
featuring Willem Lange along with a cast of local actors. Call
86-FLYNN for tickets or Vermont Stage Company at 862-1497 with
questions. Visit the VSC website at www.vtstage.org
March 8-10
Preservation Expo 2002, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Sponsored by Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation.
Contact (518) 587-5030, www.saratogapreservation.org.
March 13-16
3rd National Conference on Historic Preservation Practice: A
Critical Look at Design in Historic Preservation,
Baltimore. Co-sponsored by American institute of
Architects, National Park Service, five universities.
Contact David Ames, (302) 831-1050, davames@UDel.Edu.
March 20-23
Restoration and Renovation Conference, Boston.
Sponsored by Restore Media, LLC. Contact 1-800-982-6247, www.restorationandrenovation.com.
May 10
Vermont's 8th annual Historic Preservation Conference in
Rutland. For more information, please contact conference@ptvermont.org.
April 6, 2002
A Masked Ball Fundraiser for Historic Windsor
Contact: (802)674-6752 or histwininc@valley.net.
April 7-10, 2002
National Main Street Conference, Fort Worth, Texas
"The 2002 National Town Meeting on Main Street offers
proven ideas and strategies for commercial district
revitalization. Come to Fort Worth and learn tools and
strategies to turn your Main Street into a vibrant commercial
center. Small towns and urban districts alike will benefit from
the targeted information National Town Meeting provides. More
than 75 educational and field sessions will give you the chance
to learn and interact with informed, experienced, professionals.
Networking opportunities allow an exchange of ideas with others
in the field, in a dynamic environment that will re-charge your
batteries and leave you with ideas you can take home and
use."
Get all the details and registration forms at:
http://www.mainstreet.org
OPPORTUNITIES
Preservation Burlington looking
for Preservation Awards Nominations
Each year Preservation Burlington selects two
winners to receive preservation awards. Awards are given
to individuals or institutions who have helped to preserve
Burlington’s heritage through the restoration or adaptive
reuse of the city’s many fine old buildings. Past
winners have included the owners of private residences and
organizations like Champlain College and the Burlington Land
Trust.
Awards are made in two categories: single
family residential and commercial/institutional. The
winners of these awards will be announced at Preservation
Burlington’s Annual Meeting in March.
We invite the public to make nomination for
these awards. You can do so simply by emailing your
nomination to brianknight@preservationburlington.org,
or by calling Vince Feeney at 862-8219 or Brian Knight at
238-2918. Be sure to include the address of the property
and your reason for nominating it. Nominations close
February 15th.
http://www.preservationburlington.org
Museum Educator
The Slate Valley Museum, Granville, N.Y., seeks experienced and
energetic part-time educator to develop and manage an emerging
education program for a six-year-old museum that interprets the
history of slate quarrying, the geology of slate, and the social
and cultural influences of the immigrants who came to the area
to work in the industry. Responsibilities include developing,
coordinating and presenting educational programs for adults and
school children, training docents, and working with teachers and
the community. Must be computer literate and have strong verbal
and written communications skills. Degree and/or experience in
museum education preferred. Familiarity with standards based
curriculum planning a plus. Applications accepted until position
is filled. Send resume, cover letter and three references to
Educator Search Committee, Slate Valley Museum, 17 Water St.,
Granville, NY, 12832.
Preservation Leadership Training
Institute: Marshall, California, June 22-29, 2002
Preservation Leadership Training is an intensive one-week
experience tailored to the needs of state and local preservation
organizations. PLT provides participatory learning
experiences in leadership and organizational development
techniques; stimulating educational session; and
up-to-the-minute information on current preservation practices,
issues, and action strategies.
For board members and staff of preservation
organizations and agencies and others who are in positions to
influence preservation efforts in their communities. Application
deadline is April 19, 2002.
For more information contact the National
Trust for Historic Preservation (202) 588-6067, plt@nthp.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: Liz Weaver Williams, 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
The Bougainville Voyage: Summer 2005
An historical voyage for 18th Century longboats in the Summer of
2005 under oar and sail from Isle-aux-Noix National Historic
Site in Canada to Ticonderoga (Carillon), New York, reflecting
aspects of the career of French Seven Years' War officer
Louis-Antoine de Bougainville. Bougainville, later a celebrated
Pacific navigator, commanded the French garrison at Isle-aux-Noix,
and served at Carillon during the defeat of Abercromby in 1758.
The longboat flotilla is meant to represent a French reinforcing
force voyaging to Carillon. Crews will be required to be in
correct dress of 1758, and the flotilla hopes to secure the
escort of the replica 18th Century French Bomb Ketch "Royaliste".
Over the one-week period of the voyage the flotilla will stop at
key points on the lake and present demonstrations and
presentations meant to draw attention to the 18th Century
historical heritage of the lake and its ongoing environmental
fragility. Intended stops for the Flotilla are now seen as
Isle-aux-Noix (departure); Isle La Motte; Valcour Island;
Shelburne, Vermont; Crown Point, New York; and Fort Ticonderoga
(arrival).
For preliminary information and expressions of
interest contact: Victor Suthren, Event Organizer, The
Bougainville Voyage, 2581 Flannery Drive,Ottawa, Ontario,
CanadaK1V 8M4Tel: 613 730-3243Fax: 613 730-2224
E-mail: suthren@magma.ca
For more information about Historic Vermont, to subscribe
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for publication please contact Meg Campbell, Editor. meg@ptvermont.org
