MFPL, Farm Museum awarded needed grant $$$

From left, Les Elder, MFPL trustee; N.H. Gov. Maggie Hassan Cheryl Kimball of the N.H. Farm Museum,Larry Brown, MFPL trustee, Kathleen Shea, Director, of the Farm Museum and MFPL trustee Laurie Palmeira at Concord ceremony on Tuesday. (Perry Smith photo)

MILTON - The Milton Free Public Library and New Hampshire Farm Museum were both awarded grants on Tuesday ensuring that both iconic buildings so vital to the town's identity remain vibrant and structurally sound.

The MFPL was awarded a $16,000 grant in support of its Phase II restoration project and the New Hampshire Farm Museum was awarded a $50,000 grant to restore and repair the foundations and drainage at the Plummer Homestead.

The library has committed to matching the grant, funded through the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program, with $19,580 of its own for a total project value of $35,600.

The library's award was one of 32 announced at a Concord event which included remarks by Governor Maggie Hassan and Senator Jeanie Forrester. Praising the recipients for their effective efforts at conserving important land and preserving significant historic buildings, the governor reiterated the importance of land conservation and historic preservation to the state's economy, environment, and quality of life.

The Trustees of Milton Free Library noted their gratitude to the community for their continued support as well as the Library Friends and Laurie Palmeira in connection with the funding.

Last December Governor Maggie Hassan announced that Milton Free Library was the recipient of a LCHIP grant in the amount of $14,789 which the library will match with $18,086 to restore and paint the library exterior, for a total project value of $32,875.

LCHIP is an independent state authority that makes matching grants to New Hampshire communities and nonprofits to conserve and preserve New Hampshire's most important natural, cultural, and historic resources.

Phase II of the Library restoration will rehabilitate the siding on the second story of the library as well remove the asphalt shingles on the mansard roof and replace them with cedar shakes to restore the detail and character of the building as portrayed in historic photos. Restoration to the bell tower will also be included.

Among the thirty-two projects awarded funding are efforts in Portsmouth to preserve the oldest frame building in New Hampshire, the 1664 Richard Jackson House, and in Acworth, to preserve the town's horse shed, one of only nine horse sheds remaining in the state. Once common, horse sheds provided a public shelter where townspeople could safely leave horses during day long church services and town meetings.

This year's LCHIP grants will also help permanently conserve more than 5,000 acres of ecologically important land, including farm and forest land, wildlife habitat, land protecting the state's water quality and supplies, and land providing iconic views and diverse recreational opportunities from hunting and fishing, to hiking, biking, and snowmobiling.

"Thanks to the support of governor and council, and both legislative branches, LCHIP is able to award significant monies to a number of projects this year," said Doug Cole of D.S. Cole Growers in Loudon, Chair of the LCHIP Board of Directors. "Thirteen natural resource projects will conserve lands that will help ensure access to local food, clean water, and a wide variety of recreational opportunities - as well as preserving the scenic and rural character of our great state. Nineteen historic buildings will be saved or revitalized because our New Hampshire state leaders have ensured LCHIP funding remains available for its intended purpose."

For more information about LCHIP visit lchip.org or call (603) 224-4113.