If expected funding is approved by DCNR, Laceyville's Oldest House stands to be the big winner in 2016 of upwards to $30,000 for rehabilitation and stabilization of the centuries old structure. Previously, EMHR helped with funding to provide a new roof for The Oldest House, an interpretive and education site at the western end of Wyoming County.
The committee pre-screened applications from 10 local sponsors, independently reviewed and scored the requests based on seven factors, and met on Jan. 8 to concur on the ranking of nine implementation projects as they will be presented to DCNR. Project sponsors are expected to match the grant amount if not exceed it.
In addition to being the largest grant application, The Oldest House also received the highest score based on its adherence to application guidelines and its relevance to EMHR's mission. The following projects also received preliminary approval from the Project Review Committee. The amounts shown indicate how much funding was requested. The final amount is contingent on the final allocation from DCNR to EMHR.
Rekindle the Spirit - $3,500 for the construction of a shed to protect artifacts used in the heritage village area of the Manley-Bohlander historic campus.
Troy Historical Society - $8,000 toward the rehabilitation of the 19th century agricultural Troy Sale Barn for use as a community center and agricultural and historic site.
A low ranking doesn't doom a project or application. EMHR works throughout the year with entities whose applications are not initially approved to enhance the chances of funding in the next round. Case in point is the Troy Sale Barn, which did not receive DCNR funding through EMHR for 2015 but made significant strides via a groundswell of community support in 2014. EMHR board members expressed an interesting in learning more about and possibly visiting the Troy Sale Barn which, it was suggested, could become the Bradford County hub for EMHR's Buy Fresh Buy Local agricultural initiative.
To learn more about the goals of the Endless Mountain Heritage Region and its mission of partnering with communities to support heritage preservation, log on to www.endlessmountainsheritage.org.
Bradford County: Troy Sale Barn
The board of the Endless Mountains Heritage Region recognized the tremendous progress and growing community support behind the renovation of the Troy Sale Barn in Bradford County and tentatively approved an $8,000 grant towards its completion and use as an agricultural center and historic site.