Monday, March 9, 2026

Next Up -Phase 5!

Since its inception in 2018, our Set in Stone capital campaign has alternated fundraising years with masonry work years. It’s an even-numbered year, and that makes it a grant application year for our dogged pursuit of sufficient money to repair our beautiful historic landmark building. Today we submitted the 2-inch bound application shown below to the Mass Historical Commission for a Round 32 Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund (MPPF) grant.

We’re requesting $50,000 to be matched by the Robinson-Broadhurst Foundation to continue Set in Stone Phase 5 repairs. Phase 5 will focus on the last (south-facing) wall of our bell tower awaiting repair. While we have been fortunate enough to receive three prior MPPF grants, the program is very competitive and funding grants are not guaranteed. The application also asked for letters of community support. We were most grateful to obtain letters from the Winchendon History and Cultural Center, the Community Action Committee, Toy Town AA, the Winchendon Courier and the Winchendon Historic Commission. We thank all of these folks for their kind words.We patiently wait until the state announces its grant awards this June.