The Methuen Festival of Trees, Inc. is looking for applicants for their 2019 Historic Preservation Grant Program (HPGP). The deadline for applying is March 15, 2019.
The HPGP offers up to $10,000 for qualified historic preservation projects. The program is restricted to the restoration of historic features of a building or other historic structure. The grant is reimbursable to the applicant after the preservation work is completed.
Prior funding has been awarded to organizations and businesses for both interior and exterior preservation or restoration work. These projects have included historic meeting houses, strained glass windows, historic granite walls, towers, turrets and train deports. Past grants have gone to the restoration of John Greenleaf Whittier’s meeting house, a church tower housing a Paul Revere bell, and the former home of American painter James Whistler. Most of the projects funded were for 18th and 19th century structures.
“The Festival is very proud of the role we play in the preservation of some of our region’s most historic sites,” said Festival President Tom Lussier. “Often, our grant offers small projects hope, and serves as a catalyst for additional funding for their important preservation projects,” he added. To date, the Festival of Trees has invested almost $2 million in preservation funding in 21 cities and towns in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Interested applicants can find the grant application on the Festival of Trees website.
Begun in 1994 as a fundraiser to restore the historic Tenney Gatehouse in Methuen, MA, the Festival will celebrate its 26th year of sharing the magic of the holiday season this year.