Keeseville, New York– Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH) is thrilled to announce the recipients of our Adirondack Rural Revitalization Program (ARRP) grants. A total of $680,734 will fund 11 projects in eight of New York’s Adirondack/North Country counties.
The Adirondack Rural Revitalization Program is supported in part by a Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant from the Historic Preservation Fund administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. The ARRP funds capital rehabilitation projects that contribute to their community’s character, follow preservation standards, and create economic development through supporting new or continuing uses of publicly-accessible historic buildings.
Funded projects include the restoration of a milking parlor on a National Register-listed farm, making it available for public tours and educational programs highlighting the Champlain Valley’s agricultural heritage; restoration of historic wood windows in the Silas Wright House, the headquarters of the St. Lawrence County Historical Association in the village of Canton; and stabilization of a nineteenth-century schoolhouse in the Town of Bleecker, formerly known as The Old School Museum and now rebranded as The Factory Schoolhouse.
“Through these grants, AARCH can support the libraries, museums, town halls, farmsteads, and other civic buildings that form the backbone of our rural North Country communities,” said Erin Tobin, Executive Director of Adirondack Architectural Heritage. “Grant funds will leverage over $2.1 million of public and private investment in our selected projects, all of which will lead to new or expanded public use.”
The following projects will receive Adirondack Rural Revitalization Program grants:
- Keeseville, Clinton County: Civic Center Rehabilitation Project, Town of AuSable
- Westport, Essex County: Wadhams Grange Hall Rehabilitation Project, ADK Dwelling LLC
- Essex, Essex County: Echo Farm Milking Parlor Rehabilitation, Echo Farm
- Saranac Lake/Harrietstown, Franklin County: Roof Renovation and Upgrade for Historic Town Hall, Town of Harrietstown
- Saranac Lake/Harrietstown, Franklin County: Trudeau Building Entrance Restoration, Historic Saranac Lake
- Bleecker, Fulton County: The Factory School Stabilization & Restoration, Eliza Jane Darling
- Lake Pleasant, Hamilton County: Lake Pleasant Historical Society Museum Preservation Project, Town of Lake Pleasant
- Canton, St. Lawrence County: Silas Wright House Window Project, St. Lawrence County Historical Association
- Brant Lake, Warren County: Heintzelman Library Historic Preservation Project, Town of Horicon
- Fort Ann, Washington County: Old Stone House Library Restoration, Town of Fort Ann
- Salem, Washington County: Historic Salem Courthouse Great Hall Rehabilitation and Fire Safety Upgrade, Town of Salem
“The Town of AuSable Town Board is grateful beyond measure and excited to have been awarded the grant from ARRP, to benefit the Civic Center. The grant will allow us to continue its restoration and achieve our vision for its future,” said Sandy Senecal, AuSable Town Supervisor.
Alyssa Carroll, owner and operator of ADK Dwelling LLC with Ethan French said, "ADK Dwelling LLC is overjoyed to be part of the Adirondack Rural Revitalization Program. We both grew up in Westport and Wadhams and as a result, we have a deep love of the area and its history. We're honored to be able to revitalize the Wadhams Grange Hall. This incredible building will be reinvigorated as we create a storefront and a makerspace, all while respecting and restoring the building's heritage. The building began its life as a place for public gatherings and we can't wait to watch it reclaim its place as a pillar of public life in Wadhams. We hope to see you all there soon."
Dillon Klepetar, founder and owner of Echo Farm in Essex County said, “I would normally be shy about using a grant to help fund a capital project but truthfully this effort is a community improvement that helps preserve our shared agricultural heritage. These upgrades will make our dairy operations more accessible to the public and leave a restored barn for the next generation of farmers.”
Harrietstown Town Supervisor Jordanna Mallach said, “We are grateful for this grant money. It will fund necessary repairs that are part of our ongoing strategic efforts of repairs and upgrades to the town hall that will preserve its historic nature, community use and presence on Main Street for many years to come.”
“This is a fantastic sesquicentennial birthday present for The Factory Schoolhouse”, said co-owner Dr. Eliza Jane Darling. "The Adirondack Rural Revitalization grant will allow a space that has been dedicated to public education for 150 years to continue its mission for another generation."
Town of Lake Pleasant Supervisor Betsy Bain said, “The Town of Lake Pleasant is thrilled to be amongst the winners of the Adirondack Architectural Heritage grant program. This will certainly ensure the stability of our museum for many years to come. Thank you so much for the wonderful news.”
Michael Geraci, Supervisor for the Town of Horicon in Warren County said, “On behalf of the residents of Horicon, I extend our collective appreciation to the Adirondack Architectural Heritage for this grant award. We’re very grateful that as a direct result of this funding we will be able to make great strides with the preservation of the Heintzelman Library, the most iconic historical structure in our community.”
Town of Salem Supervisor Evera Sue Clary said, “The ARRP funds will jumpstart a new phase of revitalization of the Historic Salem Courthouse that will improve the safety and usability of a treasured community resource. As the site of a free summer camp, free public concerts and art exhibits, and a variety of community events and activities throughout the year the Courthouse serves as a community center for all of Salem and surrounding towns. The Town of Salem and the Historic Salem Courthouse Preservation Association will work in partnership to complete these vital upgrades.”
Photos available upon request and on AARCH’s website at https://aarch.org/funding/adirondack-rural-revitalization-program/2023-grant-awards/.