HISTORIC VERMONT
An On-line News Journal about the Preservation of Vermont’s Historic Architecture and Landscape
January 2008
Published by the Preservation Trust of Vermont, 104 Church Street, Burlington, VT 05401
http://www.ptvermont.org
(802) 658-6647

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In This Issue....

News from the Preservation Trust

• Have You Always Dreamed of Running a Country Store?
• 2008 Preservation Conference May 2nd -- Save the Date!
• Robert Sincerbeaux Funds Awarded

Vermont News

• Vermont Arts Council Awards Cultural Facilities Grants
• $150,000 Preservation America Grant Will Help Barn Preservation Efforts
• Historic Preservation Grants Awarded
• Newport Becomes 23^rd Designated Downtown
• Nation’s Highest Honor Awarded to Vermont Historical Society
• National Register News

National & International News

• NTHP Accepting Nominations for 2008 National Preservation Honor Awards
• Green Means Preserving, Not Destroying
• Post-Office Closures Draw Protests in Britain
  

New! For Historic Homeowners

• John Leeke's Historic HomeWorks™
  

Publications & Resources

• Vermont Directory of Foundations Now On-Line
• National Trust Grants Now Available
• Traditional Building Exhibition and Conference: March 12-15, Boston
• Heart & Soul Community Planning, Requests for Proposals
• Historic Homes in Peacham
• Cooking With Shelburne Farms: Food and Stories from Vermont
• 2008 Historical Photograph Collection and Calendar is now available
  

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Historic Vermont is available free to subscribers. To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit our website http://www.ptvermont.org/ptv_news.htm. To submit something for publication, please contact Meg Campbell at ptv@sover.net

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NEWS FROM THE PRESERVATION TRUST

Have You Always Dreamed of Running a Country Store?
The Preservation Trust of Vermont is now accepting proposals for the operation of the historic Pierce Store in Shrewsbury, Vermont.  Bequeathed to the Preservation Trust several years ago, this historic store was one of the oldest and longest continuing family-owned general stores when it closed in 1993 having operated since 1865.  The Preservation Trust, with support from state and national preservation grants, has invested $300,000 in the store and home to make operations possible once again.  It was the Pierce family's hope that the store would re-open as a community resource. For more information, visit: http://www.ptvermont.org/Pierce%20Store/pierce_store.htm

Save the Date!

Annual Preservation Conference: Friday May 2, 2008, Brandon, Vermont
Please save the date for Vermont's annual historic preservation conference, this year to be held on Friday May 2nd in Brandon. More information coming soon!

Robert Sincerbeaux Fund Grants
Robert Sincerbeaux was Preservation Trust’s first benefactor.  We’ve named our project development grants after Bob as a way to honor his approach to preservation.  Bob understood that people all around Vermont are passionate about their communities, countryside, and special places. Through the foundations he managed, he was able to provide a little seed money and a lot of encouragement, and then he watched the remarkable progress. Similarly, our project development grants, up to $500, are used to hire a consultant to provide technical assistance for projects. For more information, please visit:  http://www.ptvermont.org/sincerbeaux_fund.htm

The Preservation Trust awarded the following projects RSF grants in the first quarter of the 2007-2008 year:

Grafton Brick Church
Wolcott Schoolhouse
G.R.A.C.E., Hardwick
Rockingham Area Museum Project, Bellows Falls
The Old North Church, Danville
Adamant Co-op
Adamant Community Club
Bethel, United Church of Bethel
Adirondack Architectural Heritage
Westminster Aqueduct Gate House 
Spencer Hollow School, Springfield
First Congregational Church of Royalton
Middlebury Area Land Trust
Vermonters for a Clean Environment
St. George Schoolhouse
New Haven Mills Union Church
College of St. Joseph Novitiate Mansion, Rutland
Pownal Center Community Church
Slate Valley Regional Ministry
Bellows Falls, Immanuel Church
Brandon Free Public Library

VERMONT NEWS

Vermont Arts Council Awards Cultural Facilities Grants
The Vermont Arts Council recently announced the 2008 recipients of Cultural Facilities Grants.  

The Cultural Facilities grant program is administered by the Vermont Arts Council in conjunction with the Vermont Historical Society, the Vermont Museum & Gallery Alliance, and the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation. Now in its 18th year, the purpose of this grant program is to assist Vermont nonprofit organizations and municipalities to enhance, create or expand the capacity of an existing building to provide cultural activities for the public.

The following projects were awarded funds:

Norwich Historical Society: $20,000
Pierce Hall Community Center: $20,000
Vermont Independent School for the Arts: $15,747
Jamaica Town Hall: $13,151
United Church of Putney: $10,00
Roxbury Free Library: $14,900
Capitol City Grange #469: $20,000
Town of Worcester: $20,000
Barre Historical Society: $4,778
Friends of Brandon Town Hall: $20,00
Town of Chittenden: $15,000
Greensboro Free Library: $12,450
Barrett Memorial Hall: $7,920
Bryan Memorial Gallery: $8,000
Town of Montgomery: $4,325
Burlington City Arts: $3,729

For more information about each project and photos, please visit VCA's website: http://www.vermontartscouncil.org:80/Community/CulturalFacilities/tabid/166/Default.aspx

$150,000 Preservation America Grant Will Help Barn Preservation Efforts
The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation has been awarded a $150,000 federal grant to carry out the first state-wide inventory of Vermont’s barns to further efforts to preserve them.  In a ceremony at the Farmhouse Center, which received a state barn preservation grant last winter, Governor Jim Douglas announced the Preserve America grant that will help fund the Vermont Barn Census.

“By involving Vermonters in a developing a state-wide inventory of our barns, we can help strengthen our efforts to preserve these iconic structures as part of our working landscape,” Governor Douglas said.

To read more: http://www.historicvermont.org/programs/barn%20census%20press%20release.html

Historic Preservation Grants Awarded
Vermont ’s historic buildings are important to communities and organizations across the state. Since 1987 the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation has had a 50/50 matching grants program to assist municipalities and non-profit organizations in restoring important historic buildings across the state. Each year grants of up to $15,000 are awarded to help preserve and repair buildings that will promote the public’s awareness and appreciation of Vermont ’s cultural heritage.  Town halls, municipal buildings, churches, historical societies, granges and many other kinds of buildings have been funded. Eligible work includes restoration and repair of roofs, structural elements, windows, foundations and other important components of historic buildings. 

The following projects were recently awarded Historic Preservation Grants:

Chaffee Art Center , Rutland : $15,000
Huntington Library/Union Meeting House: $13, 209
Pittsford Congregational Church: $15,000
Fairfield Town House/Common School: $6,825
North Hero Community Hall: $15,000
The Old Meetinghouse, Sheffield : $2,400
Slab-Log House, Isle La Motte: $15,000
New Hope United Methodist Church , West Topsham : $11,187
Arlington Community House, Arlington : $8,000
Southern Vermont College , Bennington : $5,000
Paramount Theater, Rutland : $8,948
Vershire Town Center: $5,350
North Tunbridge Church : $14,500
West Haven Baptist Church/Society: $15,000
Old Stone House Museum , Brownington: $15,000
Food Works at Two Rivers Center , Montpelier : $15,000

Newport Becomes 23rd Designated Downtown
Newport has become the latest Vermont community to earn “Downtown Designation” status, making it eligible for a variety of state funds and financial incentives. Designated Downtowns become eligible for grants from the $800,000 Downtown Transportation Fund, along with $1.6 million in tax credits for building rehabilitation and safety improvements that help support continued commercial and residential activity. The program is administered by the Vermont Downtown Program, part of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. For more information, visit: www.historicvermont.org/programs/downtown.html

Nation’s Highest Honor Awarded to Vermont Historical Society
Vermont Historical Society is one of only ten organizations to receive the 2007 National Medal for Museum and Library Services, the nation’s highest honor for community service provided by museums and libraries. The annual award, made by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) since 1994, recognizes institutions for outstanding social, educational, environmental, or economic contributions to their communities.  For more information on the Vermont Historical Society, the Vermont History museum and other programs, go to www.vermonthistory.org.

National Register News
The National Park Service has recently listed the following Vermont property on the National Register of Historic Places: 

Bridge Number 6, Johnson
This Pratt Through Truss bridge was built in 1928 and carries Railroad Street across the Lamoille River in Johnson village. It is one of only a small number of Pratt Through Truss bridges remaining on Vermont ’s roads and is in a very visible location.  Bridge 12 was built after the 1927 as part of the flood reconstruction effort. Its design was frequently used for longer span crossings of 100-160 feet.  The bridge exhibits rolled I-beams used as verticals and diagonals in the truss webs, an innovation that distinguishes post-1927 bridges from earlier, more lightly built spans. The bridge is being rehabbed and will continue to carry traffic.

Bridge Number 9, Sheldon
This Parker Through Truss bridge was built in 1928 and carries Shawville Road across the Missisquoi River in Sheldon Springs. It is one of only a small number of Parker Through Truss bridges remaining in the Missisquoi River corridor. Bridge 12 was built after the 1927 as part of the flood reconstruction effort. Its design was frequently used for longer span crossings greater than 160 feet. This bridge exhibits rolled beams used as verticals and diagonals in the truss webs, an innovation that distinguishes post-1927 bridges from earlier, more lightly built spans. The bridge was rehabbed in 1996 and continues to carry traffic.

Bridge  No. 12,  Enosburg
This Parker Through Truss bridge was built in 1929 and carries the Boston Post Road across the Missisquoi River .  It is one of only a small number of Parker Through Trusses remaining in the Missisquoi River corridor. Bridge 12 was built after the 1927 as part of the flood reconstruction effort. Its design was frequently used for longer span crossings greater than 160 feet. This bridge exhibits rolled beams used as verticals and diagonals in the truss webs, an innovation that distinguishes post-1927 bridges from earlier, more lightly built spans. The bridge was rehabbed in 1994 and continues to carry traffic.

Bridge No. 19, Newfane
This metal truss bridge was built in 1928 and carries Grassy Brook Road across the West River , the boundary between Brookline and Newfane. It is a Camelback through truss with two spans and is one of only seven surviving Camelback truss bridges remaining in the state. Bridge 19 was built after the 1927 as part of the flood reconstruction effort. The bridge was rehabbed in 2003/04 and continues to carry traffic.

Southview Housing Historic District, Springfield
The historic district includes 18 contributing and 3 noncontributing buildings built by the federal government in 1942-1943 as temporary housing for World War II home front workers involved in the booming machine tool industry.  Despite recent changes made to the buildings themselves, important primary site elements such as building footprints and spacing, community areas, and overall site layout have survived, and the Southview Housing district remains an intact example of a World War II-era planned worker housing project.  The buildings are being rehabbed for affordable housing using the RITC.

Waterville Historic District, Waterville
The Waterville Village Historic District is a small, well-preserved, mid-nineteenth century mill village that developed in a linear plan dictated both by the narrow valley of the North Branch of the Lamoille River and exploitation of its abundant waterpower to run saw, grist and textile mills.  It contains 54 contributing and 21 non-contributing resources. Most of the historic resources date from the mid-nineteenth century to the first decade of the twentieth century.  They include churches, civic and commercial buildings, many wood frame dwellings, and three structures related to the village’s industrial heritage- a mill building and a two multi-unit structures that housed mill workers.

Kingsley Grist Mill Historic District, East Clarendon
The Kingsley Grist Mill Historic District consists of eight contributing resources and one non-contributing resource. The primary building in the district, the Kingsley Grist Mill, is the last of a dozen mills that once stood on the banks of the Mill River and is the only mill built by Nichols M. Powers, a nationally recognized covered bridge engineer. Much of the milling equipment remains in place. The Kingsley Grist Mill Historic District is an excellent example of a small, private residential and industrial complex that served the local farming community by processing whole grains for both personal use and retail sale.

 

 

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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL NEWS

 

NTHP Accepting Nominations for 2008 National Preservation Honor Awards
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is now accepting nominations for the 2008 National Preservation Honor Awards. The coveted annual awards recognize singular success in preserving, rehabilitating, restoring or interpreting America’s architectural and cultural heritage. Winners will be announced at the 2008 National Preservation Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which will run from October 21-25.

Individuals who have been involved in an outstanding preservation project completed in the past three years, or those who know of a corporation, nonprofit organization, public agency, or individual who has helped save a part of America’s local or national heritage, are encouraged to submit a nomination.  For more information: http://www.nationaltrust.org/preservation_awards/

Green Means Preserving, Not Destroying
With "green building" all the rage, Americans are beginning to realize what preservationists have long known: contrary to much of the hype around sustainable design and construction, the "greenest" building is often one that has already been built.   

When he was honored with the National Building Museum’s prestigious 2007 Vincent Scully Prize last month, National Trust President Richard Moe used the opportunity to hammer home that point, using his address to make the case for historic preservation’s “essential role” in fighting climate change.  “We can’t build our way out of our environmental problems.  We have to conserve our way out.  That means we have to make better, wiser use of what we’ve already built.”  His speech included statistics that illustrated the breadth of this issue and new sustainability initiatives for the National Trust.

Expanding on Mr. Moe’s speech, the January/February 2008 edition of the National Trust’s Preservation magazine is titled “The Green Issue.” Covering many timely topics such as the cost of overlooking old buildings in favor of new ones, tips for an environmentally friendly home, and a look at sustainable architecture at work in Chicago, the issue is available in print and online. We encourage you to share this with your friends and community to expand your knowledge of the benefits of preserving and reusing existing buildings, and its impact on our communities.

Reprinted from the National Trust for Historic Preservation's E-News, January 2008.  For more information and to subscribe, visit: http://www.nationaltrust.org/

Post-Office Closures Draw Protests in Britain
by Rob Gifford for National Public Radio

Plans by Britain's Royal Mail to close thousands of small, rural post offices are criticized by groups trying to preserve a tradition — and a staple of local economies — in the English countryside.  http://www.npr.org:80/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14649363

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NEW! FOR HISTORIC HOMEOWNERS

John Leeke's Historic HomeWorks™
This is the second installment of a regular question and answer column on the maintenance and preservation of historic (and just plain old) buildings by John Leeke, American Preservationeer. As an historic building specialist, Leeke has been helping owners, tradespeople, contractors and architects understand and maintain their historic buildings for 20 years. he has been restoring historic buildings in New England for over 35 years and still spends a good part of his time "with hammer in hand". He has written on restoration and preservation topics for Old-House Journal magazine, Fine Homebuilding, The Journal of Light Construction and other national publications. He now writes and publishes the Practical Restoration Reports.

Back issues of Leeke's Q & A's are now posted on PTV's website: http://www.ptvermont.org/homeowners/historichomeowners.htm

Q&A 40, Wallpaper, Roller Shades, Cleaning Woodwork
Copyright 2007 John Leeke  

Wallpaper Investigation

Question:
I have recently purchased an old 1930's, and one of the biggest eye sores is that every room has been wallpapered in the past 70 years who knows how many times and is now painted over.  The old wallpaper under the paint is bubbling and peeling in spots and I was hoping to remove the wallpaper and make the walls look fresh and clean again. However my husband pointed out that the walls throughout the house are brick (though you can't tell without tapping on them). So we aren't sure when we remove all the old wallpaper what we will find underneath or how to deal with it. Any advice?

Answer:
Take a peek under the paper to see what the brick is like in a few sample locations. With a sharp knife cut an "L"-shape through the paper buildup, maybe 12” on a side. Soften the paper inside the "L" with steam, then gently peel and lift the paper with a thin spatula knife, working slowly to expose the brick. Then you can assess the brick masonry conditions and plan what to do. In the meantime you can lay the paper down, back in place, to restore the existing appearance until you work on the wall.

Window Roller Shades

Question:
I was reading the article "Old Windows" from the September 1980 Old-House Journal and the article mentioned that "a lowly roller shade can be a great energy saver for a remarkably low investment." The article states that installing a roller shade inside the frame and running the shade in channels or tracks along the sides of the frame can help insulate the glass.

I was wondering if there has been any more recent studies or discussion of this idea's effectiveness. Also, if the idea has merit, I wondered if there were other more "green" options for shading material besides vinyl that could still provide similar energy benefits and be installed on a roller.

Any tips, input, or first-hand experience would be appreciated!

Answer:
Yes, I've been using ordinary roller shades at my house to keep the cold out and the heat in. On the east, south and west side I roll them up when the sun is shining and down when the sun goes by. Really helps. When up the infra-red rays of the sunlight stream right in warming up the floor or anything they land on, including you. On the north side I keep them down all the time unless I'm in the room and want the light. When down they block convection currents of air keeping the room air warmer. They also trap an air space that provides some thermal insulation.

I have some electronic dataloggers that monitor air temperature every hour. Operating the roller shades gives me a 2-3 degree boost in the room on sunny days, and keeps the room 3-5 degrees warmer at night--not dramatic, but every little bit helps.

Cleaning Interior Woodwork

Question:
We have just purchased a house we will preserve as an historic museum. All our woodwork is original but in need of cleaning. What is the best way to clean and product to use?

Answer:
With important historic woodwork you must determine what you have before deciding how to clean it, or whether it should even be cleaned.

• What wood is it? (what species, is the wood rough, machined planed, hand planed, molded, hand-carved, etc.)
• What is the condition of the wood surface? (smooth, solid and flat, warped and cracked, etc.)
• What finishes are on the wood? (such as, no finish, plain paint, decorative paint, stain and clear varnish, shellac, wax, etc.)
• What is the condition of the finish? (sound and solid that can hold up to cleaning? Some varnish finishes are aging gracefully with "crackling" that is quite fragile and should not be cleaned.)
• Are these authentic original finishes, or later coatings? (even later coatings can be important and deserve extra care)

If you have carved wood, decorative painting or other exceptional finishes, you may be wise to bring in a knowledgeable consultant to give you advice.

What kinds of soil are on the wood or finish surfaces? (oily grim from hands around latches, mop slop on the base boards, water stains from past and current roof leaks, etc.? Each may require different cleaning methods and materials.)

Once you know these things then you can select a cleaning method, then the tools and materials to clean with.

If you want to preserve the historic character of the wood and surfaces always test out least aggressive cleaning methods first in a small area. For example, simply dry-brush the surface lightly with a new soft bristle paint brush.  If that's not effective try a stiffer bristled brush. Not clean? Wash the surface with warm water and a soft rag such as a used cotton diaper. Just mist on the water, then blot it off with the rag. If that's not effective, try rubbing lightly with the rag; not so good? Rub a little harder, then try a soft bristle scrub brush. Still could be better? Add just a quarter-teaspoon of mild detergent (ordinary dish washing detergent like you use at the kitchen sink, Ivory Liquid or Fels Naptha) in a gallon of water and rinse with plain water. OK, there are still deposits of grunge and grime? Use a moderately-powered detergent, such as Simple Green. Not good enough? Then try a high-powered detergent such as Tri-Sodium Phosphate, but first mix it at one-fourth the recommended concentration.

See? Least to most aggressive, just stop in the testing process when you get the results you are after. Big Benefit: you'll do the least amount of work and get the biggest bang for your buck.

Once you have tested just a few square feet let it sit for a month or longer and judge the results. Why? Well, if your cleaning method and materials caused the clear varnish to cloud up, or the original decorative paint to peel off, you have made a small mistake. If you had gone ahead and "cleaned" all the woodwork, you would have a major disaster. It's easy to learn from a mistake. It's costly and heartbreaking to recover from a disaster. If the finish or paint is original you may damage or loose it with the wrong methods or materials--and there is no recovery from loosing authentic original finishes or woodwork. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.

You don't want to damage or destroy what you started out to preserve.

Contact Leeke directly for answers to your questions and more information on techniques for restoring and maintaining your historic building. Write to John Leeke, Preservation Consultant at 26 Higgins St. , Portland ME   04103 , 207 773-2306; or by E-mail at johnleeke@HistoricHomeWorks.com or visit his Internet Web Site at www.HistoricHomeWorks.com.

Also available for Homeowners from the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation:

Inspection Checklist for Historic Buildings

Rehab Do's and Don'ts

 

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PUBLICATIONS & RESOURCES

Vermont Directory of Foundations Now On-Line
The Vermont Directory of Foundations can be used to find new funders fast – or to research information on your current donors or prospects. The Directory contains information on grantmakers that have a primary address in Vermont, as well as those that are not located in Vermont but have a geographic focus that includes Vermont.  http://fdovermont.foundationcenter.org/

National Trust Grants Available
The deadline for applications to three grants from the National Trust for Historic Preservation -- the Johanna Favrot Fund, the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund, and the National Preservation Fund -- is March 1, 2008.  Available to non-profit organizations and municipalities, the funds are intended to support planning for preservation-related projects.  They require a dollar-for-dollar match and cannot be sued for brings-and-mortar work.  For further information, please contact Ann Cousins at ann@ptvermont.org or Eric Gilbertston at eric@ptvermont.org.

Traditional Building Exhibition and Conference: March 12-15, Boston
This is the largest tradeshow and conference dedicated to historic restoration, renovation and traditionally inspired new construction.  Attendees can choose from more than 80 seminars, workshops and tours, and see live demonstrations of traditional building techniques.  http://www.traditionalbuildingshow.com/event.shtml

Heart & Soul Community Planning, Requests for Proposals
The Orton Family Foundation seeks partnerships with communities eager to and capable of collaborating on an exciting and novel approach to community planning that emphasizes ongoing evaluation and the sharing of best practices. The Foundation invites proposals from small cities and towns and partnering organizations committed to plans for future growth inspired by their community’s “heart and soul” attributes. The Foundation anticipates selecting two (2) communities in northern New England and Massachusetts and two (2) communities in the northern Rocky Mountain West in 2008. Each selected community will be eligible for up to $100,000 in supporting funds over two years. Submission deadline March 3, 2008. Visit www.orton.org for more information.

Historic Homes in Peacham: New Publication from the Peacham Historical Association

In words and pictures, this new publication surveys the rich legacy of 18th and 19th century houses in Peacham, one of the most photographed towns in Vermont . The book documents this remarkably intact 19th century village with descriptions and photographs of over 100 houses built before 1900.

 

The house descriptions highlight architectural details and tell the stories of the 19th century owners of the Town’s homes, farmhouses, barns, and stores. The book chronicles how the early pioneer settlers came from southern New England at the end of the Revolutionary War, cleared the land, built log cabins, reared their families, and created a prosperous community.

 

Each house description is paired with the oldest available photograph showing the property as it was in the past and a photograph as it looks in early 2007. The stunning historic photographs are drawn from the Peacham Historical Association’s collections, other Vermont research collections, and private sources. Included are an 1870 photograph of the renown former Peacham Academy , several ca. 1880 stereoscopic photos, and many early 1900’s photographs.

 

Historic Homes of Peacham  is available from the Peacham Historical Association. Ordering information may be found at: http://www.Peacham.net/historical/publications.php

Cooking With Shelburne Farms: Food and Stories from Vermont
Written by Melissa Pasanen with Rick Gencarelli, chef at The Inn at Shelburne Farms, this new cookbook celebrates food from the land and the people who bring it to us.  With more than 100 recipes featuring Vermont ingredients - milk and cheese, maple syrup, early season greens, lamb, mushrooms, game and fish, pork, root cellar vegetables and apples - the dishes deliver everyday favorites like macaroni and cheese and hot milk sponge cake, as well as recipes for entertaining like smoke-grilled leg of lamb with eggplant salad and apple-cranberry brown butter tart.  Woven throughout the book you will also find historical anecdotes about Shelburne Farms and the stories of farmers, cheesemakers, foragers and others who raise and craft our food. To order a copy, visit http://www.shelburnefarms.org/prodinfo.asp?number=861  or call (802) 985-8686 or stop by the Welcome Center and Farm Store, 1611 Harbor Road, Shelburne, VT.

2008 Historical Photograph Collection and Calendar is now available
This year’s calendar highlights the children of Brookfield both past and present. These images remind us of the many joys Brookfield holds for the young. The calendar, designed by graphic artist Joanna Bodenweber, is of exceptional quality and is available an the incomparably low price of $6.00.  The calendar is available at the Brookfield Town Clerk’s office, Valley Store (East Brookfield), Messier’s General Store (East Randolph),  Cover to Cover Books (Randolph), Floyd’s Store (Randolph Center), and from any of the historical society trustees.

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Historic Vermont is available free to subscribers. To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit our website http://www.ptvermont.org/ptv_news.htm. To submit something for publication, please contact Meg Campbell at ptv@sover.net

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