House tours fund four grants to help preserve built heritage
Administrator | May 30, 2024 | Comments 0

Pictured at the Built Heritage Fund grants presentation, from left, are: Dominique Jones (The County Foundation), Justin Venslovaitis (County Museums), Marilyn Laurer (Founder of the Built Heritage Fund), Sandra Latchford (Glenwood Cemetery), Elizabeth Crombie (Founder of the Built Heritage Fund), and Monica Alyea (Black River Chapel).
Four groups will share $15,000 from the Built Heritage Fund to help preserve, protect or restore heritage structures.
The Built Heritage Fund was established following the precipitous demolition in 2010 of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a 135-year-old historical landmark on Picton’s Main Street, which made a group of concerned citizens realize that without intervention, many historical buildings could be lost to current and future generations.
The purpose of the grants is to offer some interim funding to aid the preservation, protection, or restoration of a heritage structure within the County, deemed historically or culturally significant.
This year, $4,500 goes to the Al Purdy A-frame Association toward fixing the cottage foundation and winterizing upgrades.
The Black River Chapel receives $4,500 toward window restoration.
Glenwood Cemetery receives $3,000 to repair the gutters to prevent damage to the stone chapel.
And the County Museums receives $3,000 for the Ameliasburgh Heritage Village general store revitalization.
“These funds support local heritage projects, and we’re pleased by the many applications we’ve received,” said Libby Crombie, a local realtor and one of the founders of the fund. “It’s always challenging to choose projects we can support with our limited funds. But we’re happy to support this year’s successful applicants in their efforts to preserve County heritage properties.”
The fund is supported by proceeds from the annual County Christmas House Tour, and administered by The County Foundation.
Dominique Jones, Executive Director for The County Foundation adds the fund is a great example of residents championing an issue and finding creative ways to protect heritage structures.
“All funds for the grant have to date been raised through the Christmas House Tour event proceeds, however there is potential for this fund to grow by bringing other County events into the fold
and I would highly encourage anyone with a passion and ideas for this to reach out.”
The Christmas House Tour committee is planning for the 2024 tour. People who have a distinctive County
home, and would like to participate, or volunteer, should contact: countyhousetour@gmail.com
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