HISTORIC VERMONT
An On-line News Journal about the Preservation of
Vermont’s Historic Architecture and Landscape
Number 24, May 2003
Published by the Preservation Trust of
Vermont, 104 Church Street, Burlington, VT 05401
http://www.ptvermont.org
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. ptv@sover.net
VERMONT
A Great Conference!
Thank you everyone who came to the 9th annual Historic
Preservation Conference in Barre last week. By all
accounts it was a great success with 230 people in attendance!
While cleaning up after the unbelievable
delicious Italian luncheon at the Labor Hall, a pair of
eyeglasses were found on one of the tables.
Description: oval lenses, dark blue wire-rim prescription
eyeglasses stamped "Luxotica - made in Italy" and
appear to be quite new (no scratches on lenses or frames).
There was no case - just the glasses. Please contact Karen
Lane if they are yours. aldrich@helicon.net
Johanna Favrot Grant Awarded in Ludlow
The United Church of Ludlow received a $10,000 Johanna Favrot
Fund grant from the National Trust
for Historic Preservation. The church is the only Vermont
project to receive a grant, and one of three grantees to receive
the maximum award of $10,000. The award is for architectural and
engineer services for the life of the rehabilitation project
(stated as a five year period). Included in the
architectural services are measured drawings.
The church is a very impressive shingle-sided
Colonial Revival church, built in 1892. Prominent features
include circular corner tower with curved, multi-paned windows
and colonnade supporting a conical roof. According to the
VT HSSS the building was designed by NY architect, Edward
Hapgood and built by Clinton Smith and J. T. Remington.
The church houses an original 1898 Hutchins pipe organ. At
one time, the the town library was housed in the building.
The building continues to be used for a wide range of community
as well as ecclesiastical functions.
For more information about the Johanna Favrot
fund, visit the National Trust website: http://www.nationaltrust.org/help/grants.html
Vermont Receives Environmental Excellence
Award
On Tuesday, April 22, Environmental Excellence Award winners
were announced by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) at
an Earth Day ceremony at the U.S. Department of Transportation
in Washington, DC. These biennial awards honor projects
that go beyond environmental compliance and achieve
environmental excellence. For 2003, 12 winners were
selected from 134 nominations.
The Advisory Council for Historic Preservation
(ACHP) and the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation, along
with the Vermont Division of the Federal Highway Administration
and the Vermont Agency of Transportation, were recipients of the
Environmental Streamlining Award. The award was given in
recognition of the success of Vermont's Programmatic Agreement
and Manual on Section 106, "Review of Historic and
Archaeological Resources in Federal-aid Highway Projects".
The agreement streamlines the review of transportation projects
and their impacts on historic and archaeological resources while
simultaneously providing better protection for the
resources. Key components of the agreement include early
consideration of resources in the planning process and public
involvement
throughout the project. At a time where environmental
streamlining is under scrutiny, this programmatic agreement
serves as a model of success in stewardship.
Burlington Named one of a "Dozen
Distinctive Destinations" for 2003
The National Trust for Historic Preservation's 2003 list of
Dozen Distinctive Destinations recognizes Americans'
increasing commitment to historic preservation. This
year's communities have protected their heritage, and, as a
result, created great places to visit and live.
Though each destination is different, all have
one thing in common: They are exciting alternatives to more
homogenized vacation spots. In each destination, residents have
taken forceful, concrete actions to protect their town's
character, to preserving their historic landmarks and
revitalizing their downtowns. As a result, they're more than
just great places to visit: they are models for communities
across America who want to make preserving their past a vital
part of their future.
To view the whole list: http://www.nationaltrust.org/dozen_distinctive_destinations/2003/
Certified Local Government (CLG)
Projects Approved for Funding by the Vermont Advisory Council on
Historic Preservation
The Certified Local Government program helps local governments
integrate historic preservation and local planning. For more
information, visit http://www.dhca.state.vt.us/DHP/programs/clg.html
Bennington - Downtown Design Assistance,
Markers, and Preservation Training: $1,230
This proposal is to fund Bennington's Downtown Design
Assistance Program and Historic Plaque Program as well promote
ongoing staff and board member education in historic
preservation. The Design Assistance Program is a popular
program that underwrites architectural and design services to
all the buildings within Bennington's Design Review
District. The Historic Plaque Program, which has been
moribund for a few years, offers, bronze plaques to the owners
of historic buildings in Bennington.
Burlington - Nominate Downtown
Development District to National Register: $8,675
The purpose of this proposal is to prepare a nomination to the
National Register of Historic Places for a portion of
Burlington's Designated Downtown District. The City will
hire a 36 CFR-certified historic preservation consultant to
finalize preliminary work completed by UVM Historic
Preservation Graduate Students. This will include finalizing
district boundaries, completion of the statement of
significance and building descriptions, and all necessary
photography to complete the national register nomination.
Hartford - Nominate West
Hartford Village to the National Register: $6,550
The Town of Hartford proposes hire a 36 CFR-certified historic
preservation consultant to prepare a National Register rural
historic district nomination for the West Hartford
Village. West Hartford is the only one of the five
villages of Hartford not listed on the National
Register. The proposed district totals thirty-eight
properties and includes an 1832 High Federal Style Church,
c.1884 schoolhouse, c.1805 Savage House, c.1790 Newton Farm
and the West Hartford Store.
Mad River Valley - Historic Landscape
Conservation Project: $3,196
This purpose of this program to map and survey Fayston's
mature roadside trees along its rural roads, create awareness
and appreciation of these character defining landscape
features, and work with the Town to develop a program to
re-establish, maintain and protect them. The report will
make recommendations on replacement species, planting
priorities, and provide maintenance guidelines. The
Rural Resource Commission is recommending this project in
light of growing concern that the distinctive quality of
narrow, unpaved roads is being lost and in response to the
accelerated decline and removal of significant groups of
roadside trees over the last five years.
Rockingham - Brochure Updates for
Meeting House/Walking Tour, Basic Program, and Training:
$7,988
The purpose of the project is to fund a wide range of
activities that celebrate, enhance, and preserve the Town's
historic resources. These activities support the
training and education for the Rockingham Historical
Commission and CLG Coordinator position.
The grant would also fund the seventh year
of the popular "Paint Your Lady" program the Old
House Award programs and the Speaker Programs, and also
support the updating of two brochures. One is the
Rockingham Meeting House brochure, which is ten years old and
does not note the National Historic Landmark status of the
property. The quality of this brochure should be upgraded as
well. The second is the Bellows Falls walking tour
brochure, which is nine years old and does not include the
Bellows Falls Neighborhood Historic District.
Shelburne MPDF -- Addendum
for Shelburne Agriculture and Training: $5,300*
*conditionally funded upon agreement to list farmstead(s) in
National Register
The Town of Shelburne proposes to hire a 36 CFR-certified
historic preservation consultant to prepare an Associated
Historic Context for Shelburne Agricultural Resources that
appends the Multiple Property Documentation Form (MPDF) for
Agricultural Resources of Vermont. The proposed project
will provide a detailed contextual history of agriculture in
Shelburne and the specific history of five farms that are
considered the most threatened. These properties
are: the Eustace Thomas Farm, Broad Meadow Farm, Enoch
Thompson's property, the Sutton Farm, and the Webster Farm.
Stowe -- State Survey Update and
Training: $4,898
Purpose of the project is to hire a 36 CFR-certified historic
preservation consultant to update the inventory of historic
structures within the town of Stowe, outside the boundaries of
the Stowe Village National Register Historic District.
The current state survey was completed in 1985 and consists of
160 historic sites. These sites will be re-assessed to
determine whether they have retained their historic character
and should continue to be included in the inventory.
Additionally, the project will identify and inventory
buildings that were not included in the survey either because
they were missed or were not old enough at the time to be
considered historically significant. This application also
includes a request for funding to send the 7-member Stowe
Historic Preservation Commission to the Historic Preservation
Conference in May.
Williston -- Historic Home Repair
Training and Commission Training: $2,322
The purpose of this project is to hire preservation
professionals to educate Williston historic homeowners about
proper maintenance of their historic homes. Methods and
products will include the following: printing and mailing the
Williston's Design Review Guide to all residents of the
village historic district; sponsoring a historic home
maintenance workshop series for all interested Williston
residents; placing home improvement articles appropriate for
historic buildings in the Williston. This grant will
also support staff and commission training.
Windsor - Reconcile NR and Design
Review District Boundary: $6,500
The this purpose project is to hire 36 CFR-certified historic
preservation consultant to help the Town reconcile the
differences between its National Register District and the
locally designated design review district. The Town made a
commitment to the State Downtown Board to expand the Design
Review District and to update and expand the National Register
Districts within the designated downtown. The Town has
secured a Municipal Planning Grant to assist in this process
but there are not sufficient funds in the grant for the scope
of work required of an historic preservation consultant or to
print the documents that will be generated for community
outreach.
FY 02 Project Summary for Second Round
Grants FUNDED FY 02 PROJECTS
Rockingham - Survey -- Digital Survey
Demonstration Project: $7,500
The purpose of the project is to assist the Division for
Historic Preservation in developing a new statewide digital
survey methodology and database and to do a pilot survey in
Rockingham to test it. The CLG grant will fund a
consultant to develop a digital survey template, recommend
survey field equipment, and train DHP staff and survey
participants in how to use the template and equipment.
The Division will fund equipment purchase, survey database
development, and survey project coordinator from another
source. The pilot survey will be an intensive level
survey and will include development of historic context
summaries for Rockingham and a survey report.
Williston - Info and Ed --
Annual CLG Training and Preservation Conference Support
Project: $4,900
The purpose of this project is to support the training costs
associated with the Certified Local Government Training, held
in conjunction with the Annual Preservation Conference in
Barre. Specifically, the grant project will help
underwrite conference expenses and reimburse the National
Alliance of Preservation Commissions for costs associated with
the CLG training.
Mad River Valley --
Pre-Development - Warren Municipal Building Feasibility Study*
Conditionally funded, project will receive remaining
un-obligated balance of FY 02 CLG funds (anticipated award in
the $1-3,000 range).
The purpose of this project is to finish the necessary
planning work for additions and improvements to the Warren
Municipal Building and the attached public library. The
current available space is insufficient to accommodate the
current needs and the second story is not ADA compliant.
Additional proposed work includes a) heating/ventilating,
wiring and lighting upgrades b) historic windows conservation
and c) asbestos abatement.
J. Kevin Graffagnino named new Director of
Vermont Historical Society
A nationwide search for a Director of the Vermont Historical
Society has come full circle with the appointment of J. Kevin
Graffagnino, raised in Montpelier and former head of the
University of Vermont Library's Special Collections. Currently
the Executive Director of the Kentucky Historical Society, he is
now "coming home."
His connections to the Vermont Historical
Society are long and deep. Twenty-five years ago, following his
graduation from the University of Vermont with an M. A. in
History, Graffagnino was invited to serve as a trustee of the
Vermont Historical Society, the youngest individual to do so in
the 165 year annals of the organization. He now becomes its
ninth administrative head.
NATIONAL
NEWS
Ten Percent Tax Credit Saved!
House and Senate conferees came to agreement recently on
an economic stimulus tax package (H.R. 2) totaling $350 billion,
which excluded all “revenue-raiser” amendments – including
one that would have eliminated the 10 percent non-historic
rehabilitation tax credit. The House passed the conference
report by a vote of 231-200 early Friday morning.
The conference agreement also included a
reduction in the top rate of taxation on both dividends and
capital gains to 15 percent, which is a good development for
historic preservation because it doesn't force corporations to
choose between paying dividends versus investing in historic
rehabilitation and low-income housing tax projects.
The National Trust thanks all advocates that
responded to this unexpected attack on one of the most important
preservation incentives available for rehabilitating and
restoring our nation’s downtown areas and communities. Many of
you responded with outstanding anecdotes of how the 10% credit
has worked in your individual neighborhoods and communities,
which we forwarded to key Members of Congress during the intense
lobbying this week.
However, vigilance requires that advocates
continue to forward your success stories to us so we can further
document the tremendous benefit of the non-historic credit. This
is especially important because once the credit has been
identified as a potential “revenue-raiser,” it in the
congressional session. Please forward your success stories about
the 10% credit to Carl Wolf at Carl_Wolf@nthp.org.
Save Our Lands, Save Our Towns
In case you missed the inspiring and articulate keynote speech
by Tom Hylton at the recent Historic Preservation Conference in
Barre -- or if you'd like more information -- his book Save
Our Lands, Save Our Towns is available for sale.
Save Our Land, Save Our Towns, by
Thomas Hylton, with color photographs by Blair Seitz, is a
coffee table book with a message. Designed to appeal to everyone
from soccer moms to policy makers, it can be skimmed in 15
minutes or fully read in two hours.
The book vividly explains the relationship
between sprawling development and declining cities. It provides
attractive alternatives to the car-dependent lifestyle, and it
shows how to reverse 50 years of sprawl.
In 1993, Hylton spent a year studying how 12
states, from Vermont to Oregon, have adopted statewide planning
guidelines to promote real communities instead of suburban
sprawl.
With the help of 152 full-color photographs
and illustrations, Hylton shows how state planning guidelines
can:
- Lower our cost of living
- Preserve our farms and forests
- Revive our cities
- Protect our environment
- Provide more secure, neighborly communities
- Provide equal opportunities for all our
children
Now in its fourth printing, Save Our Land has been eagerly read
by conservationists, farmers, city dwellers, and others looking
for ways America can protect its cities, towns, and countryside.
Order the book now at your local downtown
bookstore! Just give them the following information:
Save Our lands, Save our Towns by Thomas Hylton
Photography by Blair Seitz
$29.95
ISBN 1-879441-44-6
8 1/2" by 11" glossy pages
152 full-color photos
128 pages; laminated cover with flaps
Save Our Land was published by RB Books/Seitz
Galleries in partnership with Preservation Pennsylvania.
EVENTS
Robert Liberty,
"The Oregon Planning Program: Lessons for
Vermont". Friday, June 13, 1-4 pm, Vermont
Statehouse, Montpelier
"Bold, new, controversial" --
these are some of the words used to describe Oregon's program
for statewide land and resource planning. Since the early
1970s the program has drawn considerable attention and is hailed
by many as the leading model in the nation for "smart
growth".
Robert Liberty will speak with
Vermonters on how the Oregon Program has affected job creation,
economic development, health and the environment, Mr.
Liberty will address community revitalization, affordable
housing, alternative transportation, agriculture, and land
conservation. He will also cover ways in which the Oregon
Program may benefit Vermonter as it addresses "permit
reform".
Mr. Liberty was the Executive
Director of 1000 Friends of Oregon, the statewide non-profit
advocate organization for the Oregon Planning Program. he
is the former President of the National Growth Management
Leadership Alliance. This year he was the recipient of a
Loeb Fellowship from Harvard University. Mr. Liberty has
brought his expertise, insight, and wit speaking on planning and
smart growth issues from Main to Florida, British Columbia to
New Mexico and most of the states in between.
The program also
includes an introduction to the activities of the Vermont Smart
Growth Collaborative and lots of time for Q & A. The
Vermont Smart Growth Collaborative members are: Association of
Vermont Conservation Commissions; Conservation law Foundation;
Friends of the Earth; Housing Vermont, Inc.; Preservation Trust
of Vermont; Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility;
Vermont Forum on Sprawl; Vermont Natural Resources Council; and
Vermont Public Research Group. Co-sponsored by the Vermont
Planners Association.
Vermont History Expo 2003: June 21-22,
Tunbridge
Presented by the Vermont Historical Society, this year's Vermont
History Expo is planned for the weekend of June 21-22, from 10am
- 5pm, at the Tunbridge World's Fair Grounds.
Included in the weekend celebrations are:
- 100 Local Historical Society Exhibits
- 54 Heritage-Related Museums, Attractions,
Conservation, Preservation and Service Organization Exhibits
- Community History Project and Vermont
History Day 2003 Exhibits
- 28 Performances: Main Stage, Family Stage,
At-the-Gazebo
- Expo-on-PARADE: Saturday, 1:00 pm
- Parade Preparation Craft Activities:
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - noon
- Prominent Vermonters Box Lunch Auction:
Sunday, noon
- "Clara's Games:" on-going
19th-century games, family-oriented
- 8 Historical Presentations
- 8 Meet the Author/Book Signings
- Historic Preservation Demonstrations
- Vermont History Quest (Treasure Hunt)
- Genealogy Resources and Archives Center
- Living History Encampments: Revolutionary,
Civil & Korean War
- Heirloom & Rare Breed Animals
- Vermont-Only Craft Show & Silent
Auction
- >From Factory to Farm: VT Inventors and
Manufacturers of Farm Equipment Exhibit
- Viewing of 19th Century One-Room School
House
- Working 19th-century Blacksmith & Print
Shops
- Antique Farm Equipment Exhibit
- Sutlers Row: Civil War Vendors
- Food Vendors
For lots more information, please visit the expo website: http://www.vermonthistory.org/expo/index.htm
EDUCATION &
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Preservation Retreats
The Preservation Trust cordially invites community groups to
participate in one of five retreats being offered at the Grand
Isle Lake House this year.
June 9, 10 (for churches)
Aug. 5, 6 (emphasis on industrial heritage)
Sept. 2, 3
Oct. 14, 15
Participating groups should be prepared to present a 10- to
15-minute case study about a particular challenge or project
they're working on, and to use the case study to frame a
questions or problem that needs to be addressed in order to move
a project along. The retreats are for sharing ideas,
solving problems, and getting together with others who are
working on similar kinds of projects. Check-in is at 3:00
and we finish by 2:00 the following afternoon. Cost is
$50/person for a shared room, $75 for a single, and includes 3
meals. (There are a limited number of single rooms
available on a first-come basis.) We are very grateful to
the Gannett Foundation and Burlington Free Press for their
generous support of the Grand Isle Lake House Retreats.
For more information or to talk about a
possible project of case study, please e-mail. ann@ptvermont.org
or doug@ptvermont.org.
For a preview of the Grand Isle Lake House, visit our Web
site http://www.ptvermont.org/grand_isle_lake_house.htm.
International Preservation Trades
Workshop
The Preservation Trades Network (PTN) will hold its 7th annual
International Preservation Trades Workshop (IPTW 2003), October
9-11, 2003 at the Blandair Farm historic site near Ellicott
City, Maryland. IPTW 2003 is co-sponsored with PTN by the
Howard County Department of Parks and Recreation.See dozens of
demonstrations by highly-skilled preservation crafts persons,
seminars and exhibits. More information about this year's
IPTW is available at www.ptn.org,
by e-mail at info@ptn.org, or
by writing to Preservation Trades Network, Inc., PO Box 10236,
Rockville, MD20849-0236. IPTW 2003 affords a unique hands-on
opportunity to learn about historic preservation from the
perspective of the traditional craftsperson.
Preservation Education Institute:
Workshop Schedule at a Glance
www.preservationworks.org
- July 10 - 13, 2003
Historic Plaster Repair
- July 14 - 15, 2003
Paint: Historic and Contemporary Materials and
Practice (Date Confirmation Pending)
- July 16 - 17, 2003
Structural Evaluation & Repair: Timber Frame
Structures (Date Confirmation Pending)
- July 18 - 19, 2003
Introduction to Architectural Photography
- Date Pending
Preservation Philosophy for People Who Maintain Old
Buildings
- Date Pending
American Building Design and Technology
- Date Pending
Repointing Brick Masonry
-
THE PRESERVATION EDUCATION INSTITUTE
A Division of Historic Windsor, Inc.
PO Box 1777, Windsor, VT 05089-0021
802-674-6752 (Voice/TTY), 802-674-6179 FAX, e-mail: histwininc@valley.net
Migrations & Settlements in American
History, offered June 23 - 27th at Lyndon State College
This institute is for educators who wish to increase their
knowledge of the content and big ideas of American & Vermont
history from the beginnings to the huge migrations at the turn
of the 19th and 20th centuries. Special emphasis on the
Connecticut River Valley.
This institute gathers teachers, museum
educators, historians, and social scientists to deepen our
understanding of America's long and varied history and to
discover fascinating ways it can be taught.
For 3 graduate credits the cost is $420 and
includes a follow-up session in the fall. For others the
insitute is free. All participants receive free books and
materials thanks to the Flow of History Project.
To register, contact Bruce Richardson at barichar@zoo.uvm.edu
or call 802-626-6798.
OPPORTUNITIES
for EMPLOYMENT & VOLUNTEER WORK
Executive Director, Brattleboro
Building a Better Brattleboro, a strong non-profit downtown
revitalization organization, is seeking an innovative leader to
provide operational expertise. This position is responsible for
sustaining a positive, dynamic commercial district that serves
as an economic center for residents of Windham County. The
successful candidate should have a knowledge of, or expertise in
economic development, non-profit administration, special events,
marketing and volunteer management with a minimum of 4 years of
demonstrated management skills within a similar setting.
Candidates must have a superior ability to be collaborative,
flexible, enthusiastic, and responsive to the fast pace of a
highly dynamic organization.
Brattleboro, Vermont is a vibrant community
with a lively downtown. Voted #5 in the "100 Best
Small Towns in America," the downtown core is a National
Historic District with a thriving shopping district. The
Connecticut River, borders the east side of Main Street and
Mount Wantastiquet rises above every view looking east.
Four-season outdoor recreation is almost limitless. Salary
$40-45K plus benefits package. Please send resume and salary
history to: Executive Director Search, Build A Better
Brattleboro, PO Box 961, Brattleboro, VT 05302.
GRANTS,
FUNDING & AWARDS
Lake Champlain Basin Program, Technical
Assistance Grants
The Lake Champlain Basin Program offers a Technical Assistance
Program to provide assistance to municipalities and non-profit
organizations working on cultural heritage projects in the
Basin. Grants up to $1,000 will be awarded to short-term
projects supporting:
- Conditions, archaeological and engineering
assessments
- Design assistance
- Museum mentoring
- Property interpretation
- State and National Register nominations
Projects are awarded on a competitive basis. Recipients
are required to provide a cash or in-kind 1:3 match. The
match requirement may be waived in situations where a resource
is threatened and emergency is needed.
The TAP funds trained specialists at the
beginning of a project, ensuring that resources are evaluated,
treated and/or interpreted appropriately. This funding is
primarily intended for professional services or reimbursement
for actual costs incurred.
The deadline for applications is June 13,
2003. For an application form and more information, contact Jim
Brangan, LCBP Cultural Heritage & Recreation Coordinator at
802-372-3213, or via email: jbrangan@lcbp.org
For a list of VMGA's Mentors who might be able
to help you with your project, go to http://www.vmga.org/aboutVMGA/mentor.html
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. ptv@sover.net
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