New Hampshire Grant Recipients in 2023 from The 1772 Foundation in Partnership with the N.H. Preservation Alliance
Sixteen community landmarks around the state are receiving historic preservation grants thanks to a partnership between the N.H. Preservation Alliance and The 1772 Foundation and the buildings’ non-profit owners. Here are brief descriptions and comments from project representatives alphabetical by town.
The Antrim Grange, Antrim
Antrim Grange No. 98 (1832)
Sill and Foundation Repair - $10,000
The Antrim Grange occupies a remote location two miles north of the downtown. The present one-story building was constructed in 1832 using parts of the second floor and roof framing from the 1785 meetinghouse that was disassembled and moved down the hill to this location for use as a Town Hall. The Grange took ownership in 1894 and has held meetings, events, and activities there since then. Over time, the foundation and sills deteriorated and could no longer adequately support the structure. The Grange wanted to repair the building and turned to the N.H. Preservation Alliance for help. (The Alliance had listed Granges statewide to their Seven to Save list in 2013.) With grant funding from the Alliance, the Antrim Grange carried out a comprehensive building assessment in 2021 This $10,000 grant, in partnership with The 1772 Foundation, will help fund repairs to the sills, dry-laid stone foundation and floor joists. The Grange has also obtained funding from another source to replace the building’s roof.
“The Antrim Grange Hall is an example of the evolution from early settlement construction to modern day rehabilitation. The efforts of Antrim Grange members to preserve this historic meeting space serve as an important example to the community and Granges everywhere that with responsible stewardship, bold action, and idealistic visioning we can make a lasting contribution to society,” -Beth Merrill, Committee Chair, Antrim Grange Rehabilitation Project
Friends of the Colonial Theatre, Bethlehem
The Colonial Theatre (1914)
Roof Replacement - $10,000
This grant will fund about a quarter of the cost for a stand-alone roof replacement project that will preserve and maintain this historic theater and increase the building’s energy efficiency and sustainability. The Colonial is the oldest continually operated movie theater in the country, and is listed on the State Register of Historic Places. Since 2001, the Friends of the Colonial have raised over $1.5 million and incrementally carried out the theater’s full restoration.
“We are so thankful for the partnership of the NH Preservation Alliance and The 1772 Foundation. Their generous support is critical in helping The Colonial Theatre maintain the thoughtful up-keep of our historic building and enables The Colonial to leave a lasting legacy of cultural enrichment and historic preservation in our community.” -Christine Etter, Executive Director, Friends of the Colonial Theatre
Canterbury Shaker Village, Canterbury
Dwelling House (1793)
Roof Replacement, $5,000
This funding will help Canterbury Shaker Village, a National Historic Landmark, match a grant from the NH Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) to replace the failing roof on the four-story Dwelling House. This is part of a Village-wide initiative to identify and address the needs of all 25 surviving Shaker buildings on this museum site, guided by a 2021 building assessment report.
“The Dwelling House is one of the most important buildings in the entire state of New Hampshire, and has a chapel, Paul Revere family bell, and library.It is also where the Shakers ate and slept, so caring for this structure is a critical step to preserving the legacy of the Canterbury Shakers themselves.” -Leslie Nolan, Executive Director, Canterbury Shaker Village
The Woman’s Club of Concord, Concord
Chamberlin House (1886)
Roof Rehabilitation, $9,000
The Woman’s Club of Concord will use this funding toward a stand-alone slate roof rehabilitation project at their National Register-listed downtown property. The building hosts a range of meetings and functions and provides transitional housing for three women. The funding will help match an LCHIP grant for roof work, complementing other rehabilitation efforts that have been underway since 2014.
“Preserving the character of Chamberlin House--the 1886 Queen Anne style home of the Woman’s Club of Concord – has been our mission since 1919 when we became its steward. The 1772 Grant allows us to complete the much-needed slate roof rehabilitation project as well as to preserve the beauty of Chamberlin House to provide meeting space and safe housing for the women in transition who call it home.” -Board of Directors, Woman’s Club of Concord
The Danbury Historical Society, Danbury
North Road Schoolhouse (1853)
Roof Replacement, $4,250
The Danbury Historical Society purchased this c.1853 schoolhouse for use as its headquarters and museum in 2001. The building was in desperate need of repair and, over the next five years, the historical society completed a full rehabilitation of this last intact schoolhouse (of ten) in their small rural community. The building houses the society’s historical collections and is used for meetings, programs and a variety of community events. This grant will support a much-needed roof replacement for this local treasure.
“The Danbury Historical Society is truly grateful to the NH Preservation Alliance and the 1772 Foundation for this grant to help support our much-needed schoolhouse roof replacement project. The c. 1853 North Road Schoolhouse is the last intact one-room schoolhouse in our small town and is an important community asset that hosts local events and houses our Danbury History Museum.” -Bonnie Fletcher, President, Danbury Historical Society
The Gilsum Historical Society, Gilsum
Wright Blacksmith Shop (1890)
Foundation and Sill Repair, $7,500
The c.1890 Wright Blacksmith Shop and associated tools were donated to the Gilsum Historical Society in 1990 to be used as a museum. In recent years the historical society has been working to develop a plan for the building’s maintenance and ongoing preservation. They received a Preservation Alliance Condition Assessment Grant in 2022. They will use this $7,500 grant from the Preservation Alliance, in partnership with The 1772 Foundation, along with matching funds they have raised, to tackle the most urgent need-- repair of the failing foundation and sills.
“The Wright Blacksmith Shop is furnished with all the tools and equipment that were used from 1890 - 1952. We are eager to begin repairs to revive this building and serve the community with an educational and hands-on opportunity… We look forward to completing the work and welcoming visitors to this State Register-listed blacksmith shop,” -David Dauphin, President, Gilsum Historical Society
Historic Harrisville, Inc., Harrisville
Abel Twitchell House (1774)
Roof Replacement and Moisture Management, $8,500
The Twitchell House is the oldest house and the only surviving 18th century structure in Harrisville village. Built in 1774, the Abel Twitchell House is also the oldest house in Harrisville's National Historic Landmark district. Today it is a two-unit residential rental, part of Historic Harrisville’s current affordable housing program. This grant will fund roof replacement and help address the longstanding moisture problems in the first phase of a two-part project that will include attic insulation, installing a French drain, and resetting entry steps.
“This grant will enable us to complete much-needed work to replace the roof, preserving both the building and its low rent as part of our affordable housing program. We greatly appreciate the financial support from the NH Preservation Alliance and The 1772 Foundation for this critical need,” -Erin Hammerstedt, Executive Director, Historic Harrisville, Inc.
Haverhill Library Association, Haverhill
Haverhill Library (1840)
Roof Replacement, $7,500
This is a highly significant structure and part of the National Register-listed Haverhill Corner Historic District. Built as the Grafton County administrative and records building, it has been used as a library for over a hundred years, The existing slate roof is in very poor condition and after careful analysis, the need for replacement was clear. This grant will complement a grant from the NH Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) and, with reserves on hand, will fund the cost of a new slate roof. Previous support from LCHIP funded Phase 1 work that addressed first floor framing and foundation issues to support continued library use.
“This grant will help us get our historic slate roof repaired and ready for the next century. The Haverhill Library Association, owners of this unique1840 Federal-style office building, now library, have found the Alliance’s advice and assistance invaluable--first, with the grant for the building conditions assessment leading to a well-grounded rehabilitation plan, and now with this grant for roof repair. NHPA is a wonderful resource for New Hampshire communities faced with aging historic buildings.” -Joe Kirkpatrick, President, Haverhill Library Association
Haverhill Heritage, Inc., Haverhill
Wentworth-Brown House (1805)
Porch Rehabilitation, $7,500
Haverhill Heritage, Inc. acquired this historic property of five connected structures adjacent to the town common to revive an underutilized landmark. Their incremental improvements have included foundation and sill repair, and a previous 1772 Foundation grant for exterior painting. This grant will fund rehabilitation of the front porch on the Main House. A related LCHIP grant continues work on the Connector Barn and Horse Barn.
“The Wentworth Brown House is unique and special, not only for its complex evolution and many intact historic details, but as a major character-defining element of the historic Haverhill Common, anchoring the south end with its mostly symmetrical, massive, 195-foot long, front-facing facade. Primary historic details include cantilevered elliptical staircase and main house Federal style entrance-way, thought to be the work of an early master joiner; kitchen hearth with Rumford roaster and Bradford bake oven; original hardware and fireplace surrounds. The home is listed in the Haverhill Corner Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places and was awarded one of the NH Preservation Alliance’s Seven to Save. This grant will allow Haverhill Heritage Inc to perform the restoration of the front porch, mostly completing this phase of the exterior rehabilitation.” -Elizabeth L. Bayne, President, Haverhill Heritage, Inc.
Hill Center Church Community Organization, Hill
Hill Center Church (1800)
Window Rehabilitation, $10,000
Built in 1799 and listed to the National Register of Historic Places, this meetinghouse is the oldest religious and civic building in Hill. The building was extensively renovated in 1848 into its current Gothic Revival style. After a period of neglect, it was named to the NH Preservation Alliance’s Seven to Save list in 2022. This grant will help the Hill Center Church community organization rehabilitate eight of the 20-over-20 windows, and is one of three additional major projects that will complete the preservation of the building’s exterior. Full replacement of the roof was completed in 2016.
“The Hill Center Church (1800) is the oldest public structure in the town of Hill. There are a few homes that date from the same time frame but there is no public access to them. It is the hope of the trustees to make the church building available to the entire local community! Preserving this structure preserves local history, and the 1772 grant helps make this possible!” -Frank Razzaboni, Hill Center Church
Lancaster Historical Society, Lancaster
Wilder-Holton House (1780)
Foundation and Sill Repair, $5,000
This National Register-listed 1780 building was the first two-story house built in what is now Coos County and is considered the oldest house in the area. The Lancaster Historical Society (LHS) formed in 1965 to purchase and preserve the property and has maintained it as a museum showcasing the history of Lancaster ever since. After a N.H. Preservation Alliance 2021 Seven to Save endangered properties listing, the LHS was approved for a condition assessment grant which prioritized the need for foundation and sill repair. This 1772 Foundation grant will help support this much-needed structural work.
“The Wilder-Holton House means so much to the people of Lancaster. The house, built in 1780 by Jonas Wilder, is now a museum holding a collection of items all related to the history of Lancaster, but just as important, the building is a historic treasure and deserving of restoration. We are happy to begin this process with thanks to the people of Lancaster and a grant from the 1772 Foundation via the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance." -Sharon Chamberlain, Secretary, Lancaster Historical Society
Affordable Housing Education & Development (AHEAD), Lisbon
Lisbon Inn (1922)
Exterior Painting, $10,000
This grant will help fund exterior repainting of the historic Lisbon Inn. The first hotel on this site was destroyed by fire in 1901; the second hotel burned in 1922 and this structure replaced it. Affordable Housing Education and Development (AHEAD), owners of the property for many years, has been dedicated to preserving the building's historic exterior features as it is an iconic building in Lisbon and was listed to the National Register of Historic Places for its architectural significance in 1980. Today the Inn supports 19 affordable housing units on Main Street in the heart of downtown.
“Revitalizing communities is part of AHEAD's mission for the North Country. Partnering with The 1772 Foundation in cooperation with the NH Preservation Alliance, and their grant funds, allows us to preserve the historic beauty of downtown icons such as the Lisbon Inn while also providing affordable housing to those who need it.” -Harrison Kanzler, Executive Director, Affordable Housing Education & Development (AHEAD)
Poore Family Foundation, Stewartstown
Poore Family Farmhouse (c. 1830)
Sill and Porch Repair, $7,500
The Poore Family Farm Museum is owned and operated by the Poore Family Foundation whose mission is to preserve the remote North Country homestead while portraying one family’s way of life from the 1830s to the 1980s. . The house, barn and outbuildings are all intact and portray their original use. The farmhouse has no electricity and is a rare example of a way of life before rural electrification. This grant will help support the much-needed sill and porch repairs to the farmhouse.
“The Poore Family Homestead Museum is considered by many to be one of the most important historic landmarks in northern New Hampshire and serves as a significant historical and cultural North Country destination.” -Richard Johnsen, Executive Director, The Poore Family Foundation
Stratham Historical Society, Stratham
Stratham Library (1912)
Window, Chimney, and Roof Repair, $7,500
This National Register-listed library building was built in 1912 with a $10,000 bequest to the town from a local philanthropist in honor of her husband. It was designed by a prominent Boston architect and has remained virtually unaltered since its construction. After the library relocated to larger quarters, the Stratham Historical Society took over the building and is responsible for its upkeep according to the terms of their lease. They have embarked on a three-year plan to address preservation needs. This grant will help tighten up the building envelope with repairs to the windows, chimney and roof to keep water out and assure the preservation of this historic jewel.
“The Stratham Historical Society is deeply appreciative to have been awarded grant funding made possible to the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance from The 1772 Foundation. As keepers of a unique building that proudly appears on the National Register of Historic Places, we recognize our duty to showcase this historic landmark that is regarded by many as the face of Stratham. The Stratham Historical Society has a substantial preservation estimate in hand. It is by far our largest facilities budget in 30 years.. The grant being awarded will assure that we attend to this important project immediately.” -Skip Stearns, Finance Chair, Stratham Historical Society
Sunapee Heritage Alliance, Sunapee
The Livery (1890)
Exterior Painting, $5,750
The Livery was built in 1890 to stable horses used to transport passengers from steamboats on Lake Sunapee to summer residences and local hotels. It was sold to the Town in 1920 and used at various times thetown office, fire station, police station and thrift shop. By 2008, the building was vacant, had fallen into disrepair and was listed to the Alliance’s Seven to Save endangered properties list. The Sunapee Heritage Alliance (SHA) came together to purchase and rehabilitate the Livery as an event venue. This grant funding will be used to support exterior painting of the original clapboards and window frames.
“The Livery in Sunapee Harbor is the last structure left from the bygone days of steamships and Grand Hotels on Lake Sunapee. The Livery was designated as a “Seven to Save” property in October of 2008, and this grant from the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance will visibly advance the restoration progress made to date and expand the ever growing number of visitors and local event attendees who have become part of The Livery experience and its continued history.” -Carol Wallace, Chair, Sunapee Heritage Alliance
Sutton Historical Society, Sutton
South Village Schoolhouse (mid-19th century)
Exterior Restoration, $10,000
This 1772 Foundation grant will enable the Sutton Historical Society (SHS) to fully restore the exterior of this mid-19th century rural schoolhouse which educated local children from 1863-1954. This building is the last remaining intact one-room schoolhouse in town available to the public. It is tucked behind the recently restored 1839 South Meetinghouse on South Sutton’s historic village green. Both the schoolhouse and meetinghouse are historic treasures owned by the SHS, used for educational programs and events, and much cherished by the community.
“The Sutton Historical Society is very grateful to the NH Preservation Alliance and The 1772 Foundation for their financial assistance in our efforts to restore an important building in the center of the historic South Sutton Village. With your help our one room South Village Schoolhouse will continue to live on as a reminder of how our schools and education system have evolved over the past 100-plus years.” -Judy Lowe, SHS President