In 2021, The Grand in Ellsworth was awarded $20,000 to install a modern, energy-efficient heat pump system. Photo credit: The Grand
Since 2008, the Maine Community Foundation has awarded more than $3 million to museums, libraries, churches, and other historic structures across the state through the Belvedere Historic Preservation and Energy Efficiency Grant Program. The program invests in the preservation, restoration, and retrofitting of historic buildings in Maine.
Grants from this fund focus on capital investments in historic buildings that serve as civic, cultural, or economic hubs for communities. This program also supports projects that increase energy efficiency in historic buildings; applicants can apply to have an energy audit completed on their historic building or to complete priorities identified in an energy audit report.
In 2021, the fund awarded $344,202 to 22 projects, including:
- Hubbard Free Library, Hallowell, to insulate and air seal the basement and install adequate dehumidifiers to control moisture to significantly improve energy efficiency and protection of the library's collection: $18,873
- Fort Kent Historical Society, to restore and paint exterior clapboard, doors and windows of the Acadian Daigle house to its 1840 appearance: $20,000
- Eastport Public Library, to restore the exterior masonry on Peavey Memorial Library with custom-matched, historic-preservation-aligned mortar and bricks: $20,000
There will be a virtual information session on Tuesday, April 19, from noon to 1:15 p.m. to learn about the grant program. Communities working to build resilience to climate change impacts that own or are home to historic buildings are encouraged to attend the information session to find out more about the energy efficiency grant opportunity. The deadline to submit proposals is June 1. Join the information session here.
