HISTORIC VERMONT
An on-line news journal about the Preservation of Vermont’s Historic Architecture and Landscape
Number 1,  February, 2001

Published by the Preservation Trust of Vermont, 104 Church Street, Burlington, VT 05401
http://www.ptvermont.org

For more information, to subscribe or to unsubscribe to the email version, or to submit something for publication please contact Meg Campbell, Editor. "mail to:meg@ptvermont.org"

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VERMONT NEWS

Barnet, Ben Thrasher’s Mill

What may be the last water powered woodworking mill in Vermont has been slowly sliding into disrepair. The last operator, Ben Thresher, owned and operated this small, wood crib dam/turbine powered operation to build wooden agricultural implements and wooden water tubs. Ben and the mill were the subject of a PBS documentary in the mid 1980's. Hiram Allen, the current owner, is working with the Barnet community and local and state preservation professionals to plan for the restoration of the mill.

Brandon, The Brandon Baptist Church

The Brandon Baptist Church, which recently restored the missing steeple, is now in the planning stages of restoring its bell and clock, under the guidance of Beth Karnes.

Brattleboro, The Brattleboro Retreat Farm

When the Brattleboro retreat announced its plan to close the dairy farm and build an assisted living project on the site, local residents, the Vermont Land trust, and the Preservation Trust jumped into the fray in hopes of finding another use for the farm. This fall, after an eight-month saga, the Windham Foundation offered to buy the Brattleboro Retreat’s dairy farm. Under the plan, the Windham Foundation will pay $850,000 toward the sale price, while $200,000 will be raised locally and $300,000 will come from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. To read more, go to: http://rutlandherald.nybor.com/Archive/Articles/Article/10502 and http://rutlandherald.nybor.com/Archive/Articles/Article/16468

Burlington, The Chickenbone

Built c. 1815, this altered house most recently was the Chickenbone, a bar in the King Street neighborhood. An application for it’s demolition in order to build 5 new units of low-income housing was met with opposition from a UVM student who revealed a rich history associated with Gideon King, an important commercial maritime figure, and with the White brothers, ship-builders, also prominent in Lake Champlain maritime history. The permit was approved but neighborhood representatives, housing and historic preservation interests have agreed to spend some time looking for alternative solutions that would make it possible to preserve all or a portion of the property.

Charlotte, The Thorp Barn

The town of Charlotte, as part of a new "country park" project has taken ownership of an early to mid 1800's English style barn. The barn is in need of significant restoration and a plan is being designed for the future use of the structure. With funding from the Freeman Foundation, the Preservation Trust of Vermont recently awarded a $25,000 grant for the restoration of the stone foundation. When stabilized and rehabilitated, the barn will be used as an educational center with simple exhibits.

Danby, Danby Congregational Church

Built in 1838,the Greek revival style Danby Congregational Church reflects Gothic and Colonial revival style detailing resulting from a series of alterations over the years. the most dramatic change to the building was the removal of its deteriorated bell tower in 1988. Today church members and local residents are rallying to raise sufficient funds to replicate and replace the bell tower, to address necessary repairs to the foundation, framing and roof; and repair and paint the exterior woodwork.

Readsboro, The Readsboro Post Office

The Post Office plans to move out of their existing downtown Readsboro location. New sites under consideration are at the edge of the small village; the preferred site is furthest out (about ½ mile). Planning Commissioner John Whitman has expressed his concerns about losing the downtown anchor. However, none of the potential downtown sites are easy: the old Masonic Lodge Hall, the former hardware store, and the fire station. Most residents seem to prefer the sprawl location, probably because of the lure of parking. An effort is underway to organize a local voice for a downtown location.

Vergennes, The Vergennes Opera House

The Vergennes Opera House is using its Agency of Transportation Enhancement Grant to investigate and repair brick facade problems associated with the 500-trucks-per-day passing in front of the building on VT 22A.

Certified Local Governments:

Brandon became Vermont's 9th CLG in August, joining Bennington, Rockingham, Shelburne, Burlington, Hartford, Windsor, Williston, and the Mad River Valley Planning District. Stowe has recently submitted its application for certification. CLG communities will share in over $58,000 this year for matching grants for survey, registration, planning, education and advocacy projects. Annually, 10% of the Division's appropriation from the Historic Preservation Fund is granted on a competitive basis to CLG municipalities. Communities that establish a local preservation commission and provide some staffing assistance to their commission are eligible to apply for certification. For further information, contact Chris Cochran at 828-3047 or ccochran@dca.state.vt.us

Round Barn Survey

Thanks to the Lamoille Valley Cruisers, an antique and classic car club, we now have a list of all the round barns in the state (13), complete with photos of the barns and a few classic cars. Linda Rushford of Morrisville found that the Division did not have a list of the round barns, only individual survey forms some of which are outdated. Her husband Gary, President of the Lamoile Valley Cruisers, issued a challenge with a prize to the members to locate and photograph Vermont Round barns with their antique car in the photo. They not only located the barns but also did research on the owners and date of construction. They found that in 1963 there were 26 round barns in the state, 15 in 1986, and currently only 13 remain. Thanks to the Rushfords and the Lamoille Valley Cruisers for devising a fun and unique way to survey and providing the Division for Historic Preservation with a illustrated and annotated 3-page list of the round barns.
 
 

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PEOPLE

The Preservation Trust of Vermont mourns the loss of good friend and supporter Bob Sincerbeaux.

In Memory of Bob Sincerbeaux , by Paul Bruhn

http://www.ptvermont.org/bobpb.htm

A Vermont Living Treasure , Vermont Public Radio commentary by Chester H. Liebs

http://www.ptvermont.org/chester2.htm

Rutland Herald Obituary, Bob Sincerbeaux,

http://rutlandherald.nybor.com/Archive/Articles/Article/16690
 
 

People at the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation

Chris Cochran joins staff as manager of the Rehabiliation Investment Tax Credit program and Certified Local Government Progran. He will also assist in administration of the rehabiliation tax credits for projects in designated downtowns. Chris has extensive experience working with communities on preservation issues as staff in the Georgia Certified Local Government program and the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions. Chris can be reached at 828-3047 or ccochran@dca.state.vt.us.

Judith Ehrlich has recently joined the Division staff as the Historic Preservation Review Coordinator. She worked in the Colorado State historic Preservation Office as its Section 106 specialist and managed the RITC program. She got her Masters Degree in Historic Preservation from the Art Institute of Chicago. Most recently she and her husband manage the Inn at the Round Barn in Waitsfield. Judith can be reached at jehrlich@dca.state.vt.us.

Sue Jamele has moved from the position of Historic Preservation Review Coordinator to her new role as National Register Specialist. She can be reached at sjamele@dca.state.vt.us. She took Elsa Gilbertson's position when Elsa became the Regional Historic Site Administrator for Mount Independence, Hubbardton Battlefield and Chimney Point. Elsa's office will be at Chimney Point. Elsa can be reached at elgilbertson@dca.state.vt.us

David Provost, recent graduate of UVM's historic preservation program, joins staff part-time as Downtown Development Assistant. David is helping with the $1 million Downtown Reinvestment Grant program. When he's not at the Division, you can find him at the Williston town office on Thursdays where he serves as their Certified Local Government coordinator.
 
 

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FROM THE PTV OFFICE

With funding from the Freeman Foundation, the Preservation Trust recently awarded the following grants:

Thorp Barn, Charlotte: $25,000

Danby Congregational Church: $25,000

Vermont Carving Studio, West Rutland: $50,000

Halifax Community Club, Halifax: $18,000

Cambridge Historical Society/Warner Lodge, Jeffersonville: $25,000

Goodrich Memorial Library and the Colonial Building, Newport: $60,000

United Methodist Church, Vergennes: $35,000

St. John’s Church, East Poultney: $15,000
 
 

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RECENT COMMENTARIES

“Is the Vermont We love Destined to Be History?” Vermont Historic Preservation Conference, Keynote Address, Vergennes Opera House, Vergennes, VT, May 12, 2000. By Chester H. Liebs

http://www.ptvermont.org/keynote.htm

Remarks by Ellen McCulloch-Lovell The Preservation Trust of Vermont’s 20th Anniversary Celebration, Shelburne Farms, Breeding Barn, Shelburne, VT, September 10, 2000.

http://www.ptvermont.org/ellenL.htm

 

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BRIGHT IDEAS

The Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) is a 26-year-old nonprofit organization that provides research, analysis, and innovative policy solutions for building strong, sustainable local economies. The Home Town Advantage Bulletin is a bimonthly electronic newsletter reporting on efforts nationwide to stop chain store proliferation and support locally owned, independent retail businesses. Learn about land use policies and other tools that can protect the character and vitality of your hometown. Find out how other communities are bucking the "big box" retail trend and encouraging small-scale, homegrown businesses - and why this approach is proving far more beneficial to the local economy. Plus, news on e-commerce, independent business alliances, development subsidies, franchisee legislation, and all the latest resources. Subscribe by sending a blank e-mail to:

home_town_advantage-subscribe@topica.com

For a more detailed overview, visit http://www.ilsr.org.

 

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NATIONAL NEWS

National Preservation Awards

Nominations are now open for the 2001 National Preservation Awards sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Those who have been involved in an outstanding preservation project completed in the past three years - or those who know of a company, organization or individual who has helped save a part of America's local or national heritage - are encouraged to submit a nomination.

Nomination deadline for the National Trust/HUD Secretary's Award and the Trustees' Awards for Organizational Excellence, Public Policy, and Stewardship of Historic Sites is March 1, 2001. Nominations for National Preservation Honor Awards must be submitted by May 1, 2001.

If you have questions or need more information, please contact Liz Weaver at (202) 588-6236 or mailto:awards@nthp.org. http://www.nationaltrust.org/main/frontline/pr_wantedFull.htm

Preservation Leadership Training

This year's PLT will take place June 2-9, 2001 in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, in partnership with the Kentucky Heritage Council and the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana. The deadline for receiving applications is MARCH 30, 2001. For more information on PLT, contact Alison Hinchman at (202)588-6067 or at mailto: plt@nthp.org.
 
 

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PUBLICATIONS

Historic Neighborhood Schools in the Age of Sprawl: Why Johnny Can’t Walk to School

The National Trust for Historic Preservation recently published a report that highlights the problem of "school sprawl" and examines public policies that make it difficult to preserve and renovate schools that have served as the "glue" for older neighborhoods for generations. Such policies include: acreage standards requiring so much land that schools cannot easily fit into neighborhoods that allow students to walk to school; state funding biases that discourage school maintenance and renovation; and conflicts between general community planning and school facility planning. For more information and copies of the full report, visit the National Trust web site: http://www.nthp.org Click on Why Johnny Can’t Walk to School.

Locating Telecommunication Towers in Historic Buildings

by Nancy Boone, Ann Cousins, Holly Ernst Groschner, Thomas F. Keefe, et al.

This publication looks at ways to house wireless antennas inside or on existing structures--particularly historic buildings-- as a means to protect historic and scenic areas from industrial-style towers. Published by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

http://www.nthpbooks.org/

Community Guide to Saving Older Schools

by Kerri Rubman.

Many school districts are giving America`s historic school buildings a failing grade. This booklet demonstrates through case studies that older school buildings can successfully adapt to new technology and the latest educational mandates. Published by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. http://www.nthpbooks.org/

Coming Soon!

The Vermont League of Cities and Towns and the Preservation Trust of Vermont are collaborating to publish a handbook for local officials on the post office issue. Jessica Oski is the author.
 
 

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IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

Historic Preservation Conference 2001, Friday May 11, 2001 Brattleboro, VT

Vermont Archeology Week 2001, September 16th- 22nd

National Preservation Conference

The National Preservation Conference takes places from October 16-21,2001, in Providence, Rhode Island, with the theme of Preserving the Spirit of Place. For more information about the National Preservation Conference, contact Renee Harrison at (202) 588-6095 or at mailto:renee_harrison@nthp.org.

 

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