19 Maine nonprofits to share $131K in historic preservation grants

Poland Spring Preservation Society building exterior

Photo / Courtesy of Poland Spring Preservation Society Maine Preservation has awarded grants totaling $131,000 to 19 nonprofit organizations including the Poland Spring Preservation Society, which received $3,000.

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By Renee Cordes

Nineteen Maine nonprofits will share $131,000 in historic preservation grants to repair and restore buildings from libraries to arts centers.

Grants of $2,125 to $10,000 each were awarded by Maine Preservation, a Yarmouth-based nonprofit, in partnership with the 1772 Foundation, a Connecticut-based organization that promotes redevelopment of historic properties.

Recipients were required to have matching funds for their their projects, which were evaluated by Maine Preservation staff who will also administer the grants.

Funding will cover exterior repair and restoration including painting, surface restoration, chimneys, porches, roofs, windows, foundations and window sills, masonry repointing and installation of fire/security systems.

"Maine Preservation is honored to partner with the 1772 Foundation to fill a funding gap for small nonprofit organizations across Maine that seek to steward their historic buildings with attentive care all while serving communities through mission-focused work,” said Tara Kelly, Maine Preservation’s executive director.

“We are pleased to direct funds to organizations for a full range of rehabilitation and long-term maintenance projects, from sill repair and foundation replacement at a Waterford music hall to repairing fire detection and suppression systems for cultural institutions in Hartland and Bangor,” she added.

Full list of grant recipients

Brick Store Museum (Kennebunk)
Cherryfield-Narraguagus Historical Society (Cherryfield)
Ellsworth Historical Society
Friends of Bear Mountain Music Hall (Waterford)
Friends of Mariners Lodge (Round Pond)
Gayety Theatre Project (Van Buren)
Hampden Garden Club
Hartland Historical Society
Historic New England (York)
International Cryptozoology Museum (Bangor)
Kennebunk Free Library
Maine Art Gallery (Wiscasset)
Ogunquit Memorial Library
Poland Spring Preservation Society (Poland)
Readfield Union Meeting House Company
Robbinston Historical Society
Sagadahoc Preservation Inc. (Bath)
Wilson Museum (Castine)

Maine Preservation, founded in 1972, is a statewide organization dedicated to promoting and preserving historic places, buildings, downtowns and neighborhoods.

The 1772 Foundation was named in honor of its first restoration project, Liberty Hall, built in Union, N.J., in 1772.

"Our founder, Stewart Barney Kean, fell in love with historic preservation through the act of restoration," said Ethiel Garlington, the 1772 Foundation's executive director. "He appreciated the materials and workmanship of historic buildings. More importantly, he recognized the value of maintenance, repairs and upgrades to ensure historic places survive for the next stewards. These grants exemplify his spirit and love of historic preservation.”