Preservation Trust of Vermont
www.ptvermont.org

Every year in February -- yes, February -- the Preservation Trust of Vermont Board, staff and special guests climb aboard a comfy tour bus and go out into the field to learn about the range of projects and issues that define our work in Vermont.  

 

This year, we toured Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. We walked through abandoned places, fully restored buildings, and much in between. We heard from students, teachers, contractors, volunteers, entrepreneurs, citizens, elected officials, and more. We witnessed our communities hard at work. And perhaps most importantly, we experienced first-hand the transformative power of preservation in Vermont.

 

We had a grand time, and we invite you to join us by visiting our Preservation Story Map or reading about select sites below.

 

Sincerely,

 

Paul Bruhn

Executive Director
Preservation & Students at the St. Johnsbury Academy

When the Fairbanks Museum ran out of space, the St. Johnsbury Historical Society found this nearby gem of a site to store the collections. The Historical Society has partnered with the building trades class at the St. Johnsbury Academy.  The students are now hard at work assisting in the renovation work on the house. Peggy Pearl says it has saved them a tremendous amount of money, and it fits with their mission. See on the Story Map...

 
An Inside Tour: The Brighton Town Hall

 

The Brighton Town Hall in Island Pond underwent a spectacular renovation over the last few years -- from an ugly white box to what we see today.  Now, come along for a brief visit and wondering about the future of the unfinished third floor. See on the Story Map...
Preservationists at Work: The Episcopal Church, Island Pond

 

In the spring of 2014, PTV coordinated the first ever Hands-on-Hammers work day at the Episcopal Church in Island Pond.  Volunteers of all kinds cleaned out the building, restored exterior siding, primed and painted sheathing, and restored plaster on the interior. See on the Story Map...

 
Karen Freeman on the Jacob Davis Jr. Homestead, Montpelier, VT

An Orphan That Needs Adoption: The Jacob Davis Homestead, Montpelier

Just last month, Montpelier VT was ranked the #1 Best Small Town in America. Do you know who selected the name "Montpelier"? A fearless settler named Colonel Jacob Davis who arrived here in 1787.  This property was established by his son, Jacob Davis, Jr. in 1836, and it is in need of adoption.  See on the Story Map...

 

 
A New Venture and an Old Tradition: The Tasting Center & Cidery, Newport

One of the latest efforts of downtown Newport development is the Tasting Center on Main Street. The upstairs includes a restaurant and a wide variety of local foods and products for tasting and purchase. Downstairs, is the Eden Ice Cider cidery. PTV was treated to both a tour from cidermaster Albert Leger and local foods dinner here, as well as thoughts from special guests.  See on the Story Map...
Who Was Alexander Twilight? Brownington

If time travelling is your thing, the Brownington Historic District is your place. A pristine collection of buildings on a tree-lined dirt road, this district honors the work of Alexander Twilight -- educator, preacher, builder and first African-American college graduate in the country.  PTV is working with the museum to acquire the Twilight's schoolhouse and move it back to its original location closer to the dormitory. See on the Story Map...
How Saving One Historic School Reduced Taxes: Craftsbury Academy

For many years residents of Craftsbury struggled with the issue of whether to build a new school on the outskirts of the village center or to stay in their historic school building on the Craftsbury Common.  After voting down a number of bond issues, the community embraced the idea of rehabilitating the historic school.  Click the image above to hear Harry Miller chat about how the school is growing, energy costs are significantly less and for the first time is many years, and property taxes are going down! See on the Story Map...
From Flooding to Flourishing: VT State Office Complex, Waterbury

Downtown Waterbury was devastated by tropical storm Irene. There was a real risk that the state office complex would be abandoned and downtown would be twice devastated by losing 1500 employees.  Fortunately the governor and the legislature agreed to a strategy of saving the most historically significant part of the complex and building a new office building to house the VT Human service agencies.  When it opens in the spring of 2016 there will be 1100 state employees back in town. See on the Story Map...
Did You Enjoy the Trip? 
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CONTACT
Preservation Trust of Vermont
104 Church Street
Burlington, VT  05401
802-658-6647 | ptv@sover.net
www.ptvermont.org