The Festival of Tree is pleased to announce eight preservation grants for 2017. The announcement follows the most successful Festival in the organization’s 23-year history and will advance preservation projects in seven communities in the Merrimack Valley and Southern, NH.
This year’s preservation projects include new investments in Lowell, MA and Stoneham, MA, while continuing support for projects at the Bennett Public Library in Billerica, MA; East Parish Meeting House and the Rocks Village Hand Tub House in Haverhill, MA; and the Searles School and Chapel in Windham, NH. In addition, the Festival is continuing the restoration of the Searles Chapel and Burial Site of Edward F. Searles in Methuen.
The Festival of Trees was begun as a fundraising project for Methuen’s Tenney Gatehouse and has become the region’s largest source of funding for historic preservation and restoration. This year’s allocation funds bring the Festival investment to nearly $1.8 million over its 23-year history.
“We love the beautiful trees and all the joy they bring to our thousands of annual guests, but we’re most proud of the investment the Festival has made in the preservation of our history,” said Festival President Sharon M. Pollard. “Our grant program has literally saved historic structures in the Merrimack Valley and Southern New Hampshire – that’s the true legacy of the Festival of Trees,” she added.
The 2017 preservation grants include:
- Bennett Public Library Association, Billerica, MA
- East Parish Meeting House, Haverhill, MA
- First Parish Congregational Church, Derry, NH
- Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust, Inc., Lowell, MA
- Rocks Village Hand Tub House, Haverhill, MA
- Town of Stoneham, Stoneham Historical Society, Stoneham, MA
- Town of Windham, Searles School and Chapel, Windham, NH
- The Searles Chapel and Burial Site, Methuen, MA
The Festival accepts preservation grant applications each fall; annual funding decisions are made by the Festival’s Board of Directors. For more information contact Preservation@MethuenFestivalofTrees.com.
