Green Light - Phase 5 Receives Funding!

It’s hard to believe that seven years have passed since the June 2019 launch of our Set in Stone Capital Campaign to repair external masonry. Since that time, we have completed four full phases of repairs, beginning in the front of the building and working our way clockwise, tackling the highest priority repair areas.

We were thrilled this summer to be awarded another $50,000 grant from the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) and $75,000 from the Robinson-Broadhurst Foundation to embark on Phase 5 repairs. These are our 4th and 5th grants, respectively, from these highly competitive programs. This Phase focuses on the south wall of our bell tower -  the final side of that tower to be tackled.

The Phase 5 program will follow a now-familiar timeline: kick-off site visits from MHC and architectural engineers this summer, call for bids on the proposed work and awarding of the contract this fall, and work likely starting in early spring 2027 after the winter months. South tower wall…here we come!

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.