Preservation Trust of Vermont 


 

February 18, 2014

 

Every other year we take a moment to recognize exceptional preservation work in the state of Vermont.

 

The deadline for the 2014 Preservation Awards is quickly approaching.  All nomination materials must be submitted to us by March 4th.

 

We hope that you will take the time to consider the people and projects in your community that have made a difference, and send in a nomination soon.

 

If you have any questions at all about the process, please don't hesitate to contact us at (802) 658-6647.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Paul Bruhn

Executive Director

 

The Hardwick Inn, Hardwick, VT: 2012 Preservation Award
The Hardwick Inn, Hardwick, VT
2012 Preservation Award
Watch this!  It will make you happy!

 

 


Save 25%
Rudyard Kipling's Naulakha, Dummerston, VT

The Landmark Trust USA would like to offer our fellow Vermonters a 25% seasonal discount, January through April, on regular nightly or weekly rates at any of our five historic vacation properties. 

 

This weather has been a corker, a roller coaster of extremes, and we want to encourage you to treat yourself to a comfortable, warm and relaxing in-state vacation get-away at Naulakha, Rudyard Kiping's home, his Carriage House, the Sugar House, the Dutton Farm House, or the Amos Brown House. All of these are historic properties, renovated preserving the culture and style of the period when each was built while offering contemporary comforts. Four of these properties are located in Dummerston, just outside Brattleboro and one is located in Whitingham, not far from Wilmington. 

Visit www.landmarktrustusa.org or call (802) 254-6868 to learn more!
 
Preservation Trust News                        
Wilmington, Vermont
Five Groups in Post-Irene Wilmington, VT
2012 Preservation Trust of Vermont
Honor Award Winner

 

awardsPreservation Awards

 

The Preservation Trust of Vermont is now accepting nominations for its 2014 Preservation Awards. Since 1982, The Preservation Trust of Vermont has recognized outstanding contributions in the field of historic preservation. Awards are presented to the individuals and organizations who have made special contributions in preserving Vermont's historic architecture.

 

Award nominations for 2014 are due on March 4, 2014. Winners will be notified by March 11th. All awards will be presented at our 2014 Historic Preservation Conference on May 2 in Island Pond, Vermont. You may download your a nomination form directly from our website, http://www.ptvermont.org.

 

 

 

 

Island Pond Train Station, Island Pond, VT conferenceSave the Date!
May 2, 2014 Conference: Preservation & Community

Island Pond, VT  

 

Keynote speaker, Nancy Boone, U.S. Department of HUD Preservation Officer, will share her perspective on national trends. 

 

Session choices include a tour of the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge; a walking tour by Prof. Thomas Visser of historic porches; a slide presentation of state-owned and grant-funded railroad properties; a look at mid-century-Modernist State Park buildings inspired by the NPS Mission 66 initiative; a funders panel on managing multiple funding sources and engaging the community; Nulhegan-Native American Cultural Traditions in the Northeast Kingdom; a presentation on Northeast Kingdom Telecom, economic development, and downtown vitality; and research papers presented by UVM Historic Preservation students. 

 

Please check our website for information updates as they are available: www.ptvermont.org

  

 

North Bennington Bank

OfficespaceOffice Space for Rent in Historic North Bennington


Office for Rent: lovely, sunny second-floor office at the former Merchants Bank building (now called Left Bank) in center of North Bennington, with heat, electric, parking and occasional use of conference room included in $400/month rent. Ideal for 1-2 person office, attorney, consultant, therapist, nonprofit, branch office, realtor or other professionals. Additional office space may open in near future.  The building is owned by the Fund for North Bennington and the Preservation Trust of Vermont. Contact [email protected] or 802-343-0659.  

 

 

   
 
Pratt Hall, Montgomery, VT                                
Montgomery's first church was completed in 1835 by its Episcopalian settlers and consecrated by Bishop John Henry Hopkins as Union Church. After the Civil War it underwent major renovations when stained glass windows, a clock and bell, and gothic features were added. In 1897 it was re-consecrated as St. Bartholomew's but the congregation ran out of steam and by 1960 the building was in disrepair. 
 
In 1974 the newly formed Montgomery Historical Society formed and bought the building, its first artifact, for a dollar, and has been working for the last 40 years to repair, restore, and maintain the community landmark. 
 
The Society's latest project will remove three large stained glass windows; restore the timber frame of the wall, the foundation and portions of the roof truss; then return the windows. It began a capital campaign last summer with a goal of raising $150,000. To date they have raised over $117,000 from private donations, public and private grants, and community fundraisers. They have also used facebook and their web site in their efforts spread the word and raise funds. They hope to start work on the building this summer. The building is used for a variety of Society and community events and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

 
Vermont News                              
 

transportationTransportation Alternatives Program Funding

 

Governor Peter Shumlin and Transportation Secretary Brian Searles today announced the recipients of $2.2 million in federal funds for municipal grant projects under the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). 

  

Readsboro, VT 
$300,000 for Sidewalk Work

More than 14,000 feet of sidewalks with crosswalks, flashing beacons and curb ramps are among the many safety improvements slated for construction. In addition, grant funds will be used to repair the roof of the North Bennington train depot. The program will also provide close to $100,000 in scoping funds for proposed projects in Wilmington, Burke, Springfield, Hartford, Fair Haven and Killington.

The TAP provides funding for programs and projects defined as transportation alternatives, including on- and off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities, infrastructure projects for improving non-drivers' access to their daily needs, community improvement activities, and environmental mitigation; safe routes to school projects; and projects for planning, designing, or constructing boulevards and other roadways.

To learn more about the Transportation Alternatives Program, visit: http://vtransengineering.vermont.gov/sections/ltf/transportationalternatives

2014 Transportation Alternatives Program Grants Awarded: 

Town of Putney: $300,000
Construct 1300 ft. of sidewalk on US 5 and Vinegar Lane to Landmark College

City of St. Albans: $300,000
Construct streetscape amenities and 302 ft. of sidewalk and crosswalks on Main Street (US 7) from the north line of Hudson Street to just north of the Hoyt Street intersection

Town of Williston: $203,000

Construct 1325 ft. of sidewalk along Harvest Lane - fills in gap

Village of Hyde Park: $69,000
Construct 1200 ft. of sidewalk on Johnson Street Extension

Town of Cabot: $275,000
Construct 1200 ft. of sidewalk on Main Street (Route 215)

City of Rutland: $51,000
Installation of 3 Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons and curb ramps

Town of Springfield: $300,000
Construct 2682 ft. of sidewalk and crosswalks on South Street to connect to Union Street to the High School and Howard Dean Education Center

City of Montpelier: $248,000
Construct 2605 ft. of sidewalk on Elm Street, Northfield Street and Towne Hill Road

Town of Readsboro: $300,000
Construct 4016 ft. of sidewalk on Main Street, East Main Street, School Street and Tunnel Street

Village of North Bennington: $74,000
Repair the roof of the North Bennington Train Depot

Town of Wilmington: $25,000
Scoping study for sidewalks on VT 9, VT 100 and South Main Street

Town of Burke: $12,250
Scoping study for improvements for bicycle and pedestrian safety along 0.75 miles of East Darling Hill Road

Town of Springfield: $15,000
Scoping study for sidewalks and crosswalks around the Elm Street Primary School

Town of Hartford: $14,000
Scoping study for providing pedestrian and bicycle accommodation on two roads in West Hartford Village, Route 14 and Quechee West Hartford Road

Town of Fair Haven: $15,000
Scoping study for sidewalks along Mechanic Street from Second Street to Fair Haven Union High School

Town of Killington: $15,000
Scoping study to determine feasibility of constructing a 3000 ft. walkway to connect the existing Killington Road walkway to the Killington Ski Resort

 

culturalCultural Facilities Grants: Grant Seeker Workshops 

 

The Vermont Arts Council will host free informational workshops for Vermont nonprofit organizations and municipalities interested in applying for Cultural Facilities Grants. We urge organizations interested in applying to attend one of the following workshops: 

  • Wednesday, February 19: Bethel Town Hall, 318 Main Street, Bethel
  • Wednesday, March 5: Town Hall Theater, 68 So. Pleasant Street, Middlebury, VT
  • Monday March 10: SNOW DATE Vermont Arts Council Conference Room, 136 State Street, Montpelier (This is the snow date for all workshops and will only be held if any of the others are postponed.)

All workshops are scheduled from 1PM to 4PM. All workshop locations are wheelchair accessible.

 

The Paramount Center, Rutland, VT received a recent Cultural Facilities Grant to support the installation of a projection, reception and sound enhancement system

The Cultural Facilities Program awards grants of up to $30,000 to assist Vermont nonprofit organizations and municipalities in the enhancement, creation or expansion of the capacity of existing buildings to provide cultural activities for the public. Improvements such as wiring, heating, ADA accessibility features (e.g. elevators, lifts, assistive listening systems, ramps, and bathrooms), lighting, and stage work are eligible. The program is administered by the Vermont Arts Council in conjunction with the Vermont Historical Society and the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation.


For more information on the workshops or the grants process please visit Vermont Arts Council.The deadline for FY2015 Cultural Facilities Grant Applications is Monday, May 1, 2014. All applications must be submitted online. 

 

  

fireFire Risk Management Seminar

March 6, Burlington  

 
St. Johnsbury Fire 2012
St. Johnsbury Fire 
December 2012
Burlington's Certified Local Government will be hosting Nick Artim (Heritage Protection Group) and Jack Watts Ph.D. (Fire Safety Institute) for a daylong seminar on Fire Risk Management and Protection Strategies March 6, 2014 at Main Street Landing.
 


The seminar is aimed at owners and operators of historic properties, code officials, preservation architects, first responders and firemen, contractors, property managers and caretakers, planners, and anyone interested in fire safety, safe practices, and effective strategies to mitigate fire risk.

Read more...


flowFlow of History Summer Institute: The Complex Texts of Community: Using Place to Teach Social Studies
June 23-27, Grafton

 

Join us in beautiful Grafton, Vermont, as we explore its architecture, landscape, forests, cemeteries, and historic resources as a model for how to explore our own communities.
Each day begins with an exploration of a particular community resource through presentation and a hands-on workshop tied to Common Core ELA strategies and content-specific standards. Each afternoon includes a specific project-based challenge that asks individuals or teams to connect the material to their own classrooms and communities.

 

For more information, and to register, visit: http://www.learningcollaborative.org/flow_complex_texts  

  

  

 

vdhpdigitizeVermont Division for Historic Preservation Digitization Project

  

The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation is embarking on an ambitious project to scan and digitize all of the paper files, plans and maps in our Resource Room. The goal is to make the digitized materials available to the public through an online database.

  

The actual scanning is being done off-site, which means certain materials may not be immediately available for research purposes. Materials are being sent out in batches every two weeks, and the resulting digitized files will be posted online for public access every two weeks. Based on this schedule, no files should be inaccessible for more than two weeks.

  

The scanning started Monday, February 10, 2014, and is anticipated to take approximately 12 months. If you're planning to come do research in the Resource Room, please call ahead to confirm whether or not the materials you want to look at are available or out for scanning. You can contact Debra Sayers at 802-828-3213 or Trudy Thomas at 802-828-3540 for more information.

  

 

   
Regional News                              

 

workshophistoryorgWorkshop: Public Programming and Exhibits at History Organizations

April 3-4, Portsmouth, NH

 

This workshop provides a broad overview of public programming and exhibits focusing on active learning at different kinds of history organizations. Seasoned educators direct conversations about museum education and what it is museum educators do.  Through interactive activities and case studies, participants will learn about audience types, volunteer management and training, tour techniques, active learning with people of all ages, developing exhibits with visitors in mind, technology, evaluations, planning, and working with others to build programs.

The themes of this workshop are based on the publication The Museum Educator's Manual: Educators Share Successful Techniques. A copy of this must-have education manual is included in the workshop registration.

 
The workshop is ideally suited for staff (first-time museum educators, directors, tour guides or volunteer managers and mid-career professionals), museum studies students, or dedicated volunteers working in all types of museums  who are given the responsibility of education and public programming.
 
The workshop will be held at the Governor John Langdon House and is hosted by Historic New England. Register by February 27 and save $40 on your registration fee.
 
Cost: $270 members /$345 nonmembers; $40 discount if fee is received by February 27.
 
 

 

Questions? Contact Bethany Hawkins, Program Manager at [email protected] or 615-320-3203.

 

 

 

coastguardCoast Guard Assessing Plans for Lake Champlain Tank-House Towers At Split Rock, NY, and Isle La Motte, VT  

 
The Coast Guard is working with private property owners in Vermont and New York to keep two Coast Guard-owned 'tank-house' aids to navigation towers in place for historical preservation.


The towers, constructed of latticed angle-iron, are located at Split Rock, N.Y., and Isle La Motte, Vt., adjacent to privately-owned lighthouses. In order to meet operational needs, Coast Guard operators are considering the demolition or removal of these towers from federal property for the following reasons:  

  • Both towers are of an obsolete design that does not meet current Coast Guard requirements for aids to navigation structures.
  • Both towers are unsafe for Coast Guard personnel to climb for maintenance.
  • Both towers present a safety hazard to persons on adjacent private properties.
  • Both towers present an environmental hazard due to deteriorating paint.
  • Neither of the towers is an active aid to navigation.


However, in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officers in New York and Vermont, the Coast Guard has determined that these structures have achieved historic significance on the state and local level.

The Coast Guard is working with adjacent private property owners to develop potential alternatives to demolishing or removing the towers. At the Split Rock, involved parties are considering a public-benefit conveyance to an accredited non-profit organization. Any party interested in providing comments on proposed actions, or any non-profit organization willing to assume responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of the Split Rock tower is encouraged to
contact the Coast Guard. Comments and inquiries can be sent by mail, fax, or electronic mail to:

Mr. Luke Dlhopolsky
c/o Commanding Officer
USCG Civil Engineering Unit
475 Kilvert St, Suite 100
Warwick, RI 02886
[email protected]
Fax: (401) 736-1703

Comments must be received no later than April 1st, 2014

 
National News                               

nthpawardsNational Honor Awards Nominations Now Being Accepted
 
What do the Empire State Building, a South Carolina Gullah Geeche house, and a San Francisco YMCA building have in common? They've all received National Preservation Awards from the National Trust for Historic Preservation!

  

Now is your chance to nominate a deserving project, individual, organization, or agency to receive one of these prestigious, national awards.

  

Each year the National Trust for Historic Preservation celebrates the best of preservation by presenting the Richard H. Driehaus National Preservation Awards to individuals and organizations who have demonstrated excellence in historic preservation. Do you know of a project that deserves to join this group and be recognized as one of the best in preservation? Nominate that individual, organization, agency, or project now for a National Preservation Award.  Nomination deadline is March 3, 2014.

  

Visit http://www.preservationnation.org/awards for more information, or contact Brendan McCormick at 202.588.6315 or [email protected]


 
nthp11mostNational Trust Accepting Nominations for America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places
 
The National Trust is accepting nominations for historic sites to be included on the 2014 America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list. You may nominate a site by completing a basic online form that can be found here: http://www.preservationnation.org/issues/11-most-endangered/11-most-form.html#.UsHCJW0phic  
 
The National Trust will accept nominations through March 3, 2014. For more information, please contact [email protected] or 202.588.6141.
 
 
walmartTime to Close Wal-Mart Stores? Analysts Think So

 

"Cold weather and a reduction in food stamp benefits aren't the only reasons behind Wal-Mart's lowered fourth-quarter forecast.  The big-box discounter is in need of a bricks-and-mortar makeover, analysts said. To resonate with today's shopper, Wal-Mart needs to move its stores closer to major population centers, shrink the square footage of its superstores and shutter about 100 underperforming U.S. locations, they suggest...."  Read On...

 
 
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