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$15K grant will help restore Shoreham barn

SHOREHAM — The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation and Vermont Advisory Council on Historic Preservation have announced the 2022 Barn Preservation grant awardees. The 22 grants, totaling $299,325, were awarded to municipalities, nonprofit organizations and private barn owners in 11 Vermont counties to repair and rehabilitate agricultural landmarks. One barn in Shoreham is among the 22 that will get money for its repair.

“Investing in the preservation of Vermont’s vibrant and rich history strengthens our communities and further enhances the success of our future,” Gov. Phil Scott said in announcing the awards. “Just as importantly, we are putting people to work restoring our past and creating new opportunities for the next generation of Vermonters.”

“This competitive grant program has elevated the profile of agricultural-based preservation,” said Vermont State Historic Preservation Officer Laura Trieschmann in a press release. “The recipients deserve recognition for their commitment to historic resources that not only recount Vermont’s agricultural heritage but strengthen the significance of our working landscapes.”

Grants awarded this year will support projects from Albany to Bennington. One Addison County project was funded.

In Shoreham, a $15,000 grant will go toward the repair of the Douglas Orchards Barn on Basin Harbor Road. Douglas Orchards was conserved by the Vermont Land Trust in 2020. It consists of 184 acres planted with fruit trees and berries, offering pick-your- own strawberries, cherries and apples. The farmstead includes multiple agricultural buildings including a machine shop/barn, cold storage building, cider mill and a former dairy barn. The oldest section of this barn dates to around 1800.

Matching grant funds will address structural repairs, roof repairs and replacement of deteriorated siding. Once repairs are complete, the owners plan to expand use of the barn to display and retail specialty lumber and finished wood products from trees harvested on the property.

Elsewhere in the state, a rare and significant masonry “cheese house” at Consider Bardwell Farm in Pawlet will receive funding to complete parging and masonry repairs, and multiple roof repair/replacement projects will be completed in Hardwick, South Burlington and Tinmouth. Other projects include foundation, structural and drainage projects at Brookacres Farm in Brattleboro and Bread and Puppet Theater’s main barn in Glover; foundation and flooring work at Bread and Butter Farm in Shelburne; and structural repairs to the main barn at the Hughes Barn Museum in Thetford.

“Barns are a critical part of Vermont’s landscape. They speak to our past and present,” Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts said. “Restoring and improving these impressive structures reinforces Vermont’s commitment to a working landscape. We are grateful to have these dollars so these barns can continue to support our communities and their owners.”

The Division for Historic Preservation administers state- funded matching grants for the repair of Vermont’s historic agricultural buildings and structures. These grants are awarded by the Vermont Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. To qualify, buildings and structures must be at least 50 years old and listed or eligible to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

For a complete list of the projects awarded, visit DHP’s website.

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