2022 Preservation Achievement Award Winner: Northern Forest Center

The N.H. Preservation Alliance is pleased to announce our 2022 Preservation Achievement Award winner, the Northern Forest Center, for the revitalization and rehabilitation of the Parker J. Noyes Building, with support from the Town of Lancaster andTaproot Farm & Environmental Education Center.

The $3.2 million rehabilitation of this 11,000 square foot building into six market rate apartments and first floor retail use is an outstanding example of redevelopment in a rural community. We hope the non-profit developer’s example and “lessons learned” about preservation strategies and positive impacts will inspire many other projects across the region.

The grand proportions and Italianate exterior of the Parker J. Noyes building have anchored a prominent corner on Lancaster's Main Street since 1910. The building once housed the largest pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in the country. The sugar-coated pill was invented here.

The Parker J. Noyes Building in Lancaster, NH. Photo credit: Northern Forest Center

But the building had lost much of its stature after being converted to ground-floor retail use and was largely vacant when the Northern Forest Center decided to acquire and rehabilitate it. Their well-designed process included an emphasis on early planning, an advisory board, extensive community outreach, ongoing communications with stakeholders and supporters, and a local construction manager, Garland Mills. Nearly 30 companies and more than 80 trades people contributed their skill and expertise.

Historic materials were preserved whenever possible. Before beginning construction, the team catalogued and removed nearly 50 artifacts found inside the building and incorporated some into the new spaces.

A second-floor hallway is lined with salvaged wainscoting. Salvaged and restored wood flooring was reused at the building and apartment entrances, exposed wooden beams are found on the third floor. The tin ceiling on the first floor was restored, exterior clapboards were salvaged, and historic doors were re-used for the bathrooms in each apartment.

When the foundation of the rear part of the building was found to be nothing but rubble, the team jacked up the 3-story building and poured a proper foundation.

When an opened ceiling revealed fire-charred beams, the team brought engineers back to the site to ensure the building's structural integrity. Paired bracketed cornices and storefront display windows replicated the original building exterior.

This project has attracted statewide acclaim and has already inspired three other Main Street projects. According to Town Manager Ben Gaetjens-Oleson, "The Parker J. Noyes renovation has encouraged people to fix up their own properties and drawn people to Main Street. That block … is the heart of our downtown…and these investments are bringing back the vibrancy of our North Country Community."

Many, many other partners have advanced the project including Alba Architects, Garland Mill, Bruss Project Management, Preservation Company, HEB Engineers, Engineering Services of Vermont, Land and Community Heritage Investment Program, and the Northern Border Regional Commission/Northeast Heritage Economy Program.

Read about the rest of our 2022 Preservation Achievement Award Winners here.