Belvedere Historic Preservation and Energy Efficiency Fund awards $334,000 to 22 Maine organizations

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Grants totaling $334,202 have been awarded through the Belvedere Historic Preservation and Energy Efficiency Fund of the Maine Community Foundation. MaineCF donors made an additional two grants totaling $13,000 from donor-advised funds.

Grantees include:

  • Fort Kent Historical Society, to restore and paint exterior clapboard, doors and windows of the Acadian Daigle house to its 1840 appearance
  • Hubbard Free Library, Hallowell, to insulate and air seal the basement and install adequate dehumidifiers to control moisture significantly improving energy efficiency and protection of the library's collection
  • Peavey Memorial Library, Eastport, to restore the exterior masonry with custom-matched, historic-preservation-aligned mortar and bricks.

A full list of grant recipients is available below and at www.mainecf.org and below.

The Belvedere Historic Preservation and Energy Efficiency Fund supports the preservation, restoration, and retrofitting of historic buildings in Maine. An anonymous donor established the fund in 2007.

The next grant application deadline is June 1, 2022. The online application and guidelines are available at www.mainecf.org. For more information, contact Senior Program Officer Maggie Drummond-Bahl at (207) 761-2440 or mbahl@mainecf.org.

2021 Grants from the Belvedere Historic Preservation and Energy Efficiency Committee

  • Alamo Theatre, Bucksport, to restore and repair the Fly Loft in the Alamo Theatre building, including masonry repair, roofing and the corrugated steel south wall: $19,790
  • Bearnstow, Mount Vernon, to support infrastructure needs in consultation with Maine Preservation and prioritize a three-year restoration plan: $10,000
  • Farmington Historical Society, to continue improving the structural integrity and energy efficiency of the Octagon House so its architectural history will be preserved and on view year-round: $15,435
  • Farmington Public Library Association, to seal leaks at the library, test for mold, and remedy damage caused by water entering the building: $11,012
  • The Farwell Project, Thorndike, for roof replacement of mill cupola and primary roof: $10,000
  • First Congregational Church of Blue Hill, to paint and preserve the exterior of the historically significant church and parsonage buildings: $10,000
  • First Parish Universalist Church, Portland, to renovate and repair the windows of the historic church for energy efficiency and increased community use of the building: $19,192
  • Fort Kent Historical Society, to restore and paint exterior clapboard, doors and windows of the Acadian Daigle house to its 1840 appearance: $20,000
  • Freedom Community Historical Society, to restore first floor interior walls and exterior clapboards of Keen Hall: $14,000
  • Friend Memorial Public Library, Brooklin, to replace the four front pillars on the 1912 Colonial Revival building: $10,000
  • Friends of Isle au Haut Lighthouse, to install entrance door, frame and lintels, bell door, frame, lintels and iron guardrail, including associated masonry, plus apply tower exterior coating: $20,000
  • The Grand, Ellsworth, to install a modern, energy-efficient heat pump system that will provide heat and air conditioning and the transfer of 100% outside air: $20,000
  • Hubbard Free Library, Hallowell, to insulate and air seal the basement and install adequate dehumidifiers to control moisture significantly improving energy efficiency and protection of the library's collection: $18,873
  • The Lamb House, Cherryfield, to repair and re-shingle the roof to prevent the intrusion of water and to install attic insulation for energy conservation: $15,000
  • Peavey Memorial Library, Eastport, to restore the exterior masonry with custom-matched, historic-preservation-aligned mortar and bricks: $20,000
  • Phillips Public Library, to restore the front entrance to the building, including the porch, columns, and door, and repair the frames on 38 windows: $7,000
  • Porter Memorial Library Association, Machias, to repair copper flashing around the reading room chimney: $10,000
  • Readfield Union Meeting House Company, to restore the Meeting House tower and belfry: $10,000
  • Sewall Memorial Congregational Church, Robbinston, to restore the spire on the tower: $20,000
  • Town of Blue Hill, to rebuild and renovate the entry steps to Town Hall: $15,000
  • Town of Swan’s Island, to complete preservation plans for the Burnt Coat Harbor Light Station by finishing light tower interior masonry restoration: $20,000
  • Woman's Literary Union of Androscoggin County, Auburn, to repoint and repair three brick chimneys and for an energy efficiency audit at the Foss Mansion: $18,900

2021 Grants from Donor-Advised Funds

  • Augusta Colonial Theater, to complete structural engineering analysis for the theater: $12,000
  • Marshall Point Lighthouse & Museum, St. George Historical Society, to purchase a generator to assure the safety and preservation of the lighthouse, barn and museum artifacts: $1,000
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