The Preservation Trust of Vermont (PTV) announced March 22 a Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization grant of $100,000 to the Wallingford Block to support the rehabilitation of the underutilized third-floor into a community space.
The Wallingford Block, formerly the Odd Fellows Block, is a monumental building at the heart of Wallingford village. Constructed in 1824, the Block is privately-owned and since acquiring the property in 2017 the owner has worked tirelessly to restore the exterior and reopen the first and second floors.
The vacant third floor, which used to serve as a community theater and dance and music hall, is the final piece of the rehabilitation project. Bruhn funds will support the reopening of the third floors for community purposes and is one of two Bruhn grants awarded to privately-owned commercial buildings located in Designated Village Centers.
“The Preservation Trust of Vermont, in partnership with the National Park Service, is excited to support projects like the Wallingford Block that will help preserve and revitalize Vermont’s rural communities,” said Ben Doyle, PTV president. “We congratulate the community champions who are leading this work and thank Senator Sanders, Senator Welch, and Congresswoman Balint for their support of this wonderful program. We would also like to acknowledge former Senator Leahy, for his work in establishing this important national program and proposing that it be named after his good friend, and former PTV President, the late Paul Bruhn.”
The Wallingford Block project and the Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant program are supported by the Historic Preservation Fund administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. The program supports the preservation and restoration of buildings and community gathering spaces of economic and social significance in rural communities with fewer than 7,500 residents. Additional recipients of the Bruhn Historic Revitalization subgrants include the McIndoe Falls Academy in Barnet, the Marshfield Village Store, the Kimball Public Library in Randolph, the Skinner Block in Royalton, the Starksboro Village Meeting House, Moscow Mill in Stowe, and the Windham Meeting House. The grants range from $50,000 to $100,000 and will be used toward structural repairs, roof replacement, window restoration, exterior work, restoration of significant interior finishes, and code improvements.
“We are glad to see this federal funding support the preservation of historic sites in rural communities throughout Vermont. Each recipient represents a unique part of our state’s history and, thanks to the good work of the Preservation Trust of Vermont, will remain protected and preserved long into the future,” said Sen. Sanders, Sen. Welch, and Rep. Balint. “We look forward to seeing the role these historic community sites will play for generations to come.”
