An Update on Soldiers Home Foundation's 1889 Chapel Restoration Project

 

Over the course of the last several months as we at the National Trust for Historic Preservation have been out in the Milwaukee community talking about the National Treasure, the Milwaukee Soldiers Home, we are frequently asked for an update on the progress of the 1889 Chapel Restoration Project by the Soldiers Home Foundation. In those situations, we've committed to find out what we can from the Soldiers Home Foundation and provide it to our contacts.

 

While the Soldiers Home Foundation and Chapel Restoration Project are separate from the Save the Soldiers Home efforts of the National Trust and Milwaukee Preservation Alliance, we have had several conversations with Mary Panzer, Soldiers Home Foundation Vice-President. Mary has told us that updated information is in the process of being created and will be added to their website in the near future. Until then, this is the information we can offer: 

• The Chapel Restoration Project has an estimated cost of $6.2 million, and will be funded through a combination of private donations, foundations, and tax credits. The Soldiers Home Foundation has raised approximately $400,000 to date from charitable donations, foundations, and grants, which has funded architectural design and environmental abatement work.

• The Soldiers Home Foundation will also pursue tax credits for the Chapel Restoration Project. These tax credits, along with their expected funding amounts, are:
• Federal Historic Tax Credit: $1.5 million (approximate)
• Wisconsin Supplemental Historic Preservation Credit: $200,000 (approximate)
• New Market Tax Credits: $1.5 million (approximate)

When we receive additional information from the Soldiers Home Foundation, we will pass it on to you.