Center Theatre among The 1772 Foundation historic preservation grant recipients
Partnering for a seventh year with The 1772 Foundation, Maine Preservation recently awarded grants totaling nearly $131,000 to 20 nonprofit organizations in Maine. The grants ranged in amount from $1,700 to the grant maximum of $10,000.
Among the recipients is the Center Theatre of Dover-Foxcroft. The theater was awarded $10,000 which will be used for masonry repairs.
“Maine Preservation is honored to partner with The 1772 Foundation to deliver support to nonprofit organizations that steward historic buildings integral to the fabric of communities across Maine,” Tara Kelly, executive director of Maine Preservation, said. “We are pleased to direct much-needed capital improvement funds for ongoing maintenance and large-scale rehabilitation projects, from structural repairs at a cultural center in Patten and theater in Dover-Foxcroft to exterior carpentry repairs at historic house museums in Portland, Blue Hill and Hartland.
The other 2026 Maine grant recipients are Bell Hill Meetinghouse Association (Otisfield), Farmington Historical Society, Friends of Westport Island History, Gayety Theatre (Van Buren), Hartland Historical Society, Haystack Mountain School of Craft (Deer Isle), Hubbard Free Library (Hallowell), Jonathan Fisher Memorial, Inc. (Blue Hill), Lincoln County Community Theater & Orchestra (Damariscotta), McLaughlin Foundation (South Paris), Mechanics’ Hall (Portland), Monhegan Museum of Art & History, Patten Historical Society, Phillips Children’s Foundation, Pittston Literary & Historical Society, Scribners Mill Preservation, Inc. (Harrison, Tate House Museum (Portland), Tides Institute & Museum of Art (Eastport) and Waterville Historical Society.
Ethiel Garlington, executive director of The 1772 Foundation, recalled, “Our founder, Stewart Barney Kean, fell in love with historic preservation through the act of restoration. He appreciated the materials and workmanship of historic buildings. More importantly, he recognized the value of maintenance, repairs, and upgrades to ensure historic places survive for the next stewards. These grants exemplify his spirit and love of historic preservation.”
Grants were provided for exterior repair and restoration including painting, surface restoration, chimneys, porches, roofs, windows, foundations and sills, masonry repointing and installation of fire detection and suppression systems. Projects were evaluated by Maine Preservation staff, who also will administer the grants. Each grantee was required to have matching funds for its project.
Founded in 1972, Maine Preservation is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and preserving historic places, buildings, downtowns and neighborhoods–strengthening the cultural and economic vitality of Maine communities.
For more information visit mainepreservation.org.