Pittsford Village Farm, Pittsford
May 22, 2023 – The Preservation Trust of Vermont announced today a Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization grant of $100,000 to the Pittsford Village Farm.
Located on 22 scenic acres in the heart of Pittsford, the Village Farm includes a large Italianate style farmhouse with ell and a former dairy barn. The property includes community gardens, trails and outdoor recreation spaces.
“The Bruhn Grant will support foundation, porch, and window repair in our historic farmhouse, preserving and updating it for our community today and tomorrow. This work will help us establish a childcare center and affordable apartments, both of which are badly needed and difficult to fund without outside support,” says Nancy Gaudreau. “The property includes a lovely meadow knoll, community gardens, playscape and trails; ideal for outdoor activities for children and adults. Pittsford Village Farm is very appreciative of the support of Preservation Trust of Vermont and is eager to get to work on this project that will do so much to strengthen our community and region.”
When complete, the project will address identified area needs for childcare and housing as well as providing space for a community center and a cafe. It will continue to host summer concert series and outdoor events.
“The Preservation Trust of Vermont, in partnership with the National Parks Service, is excited to support projects like the Pittsford Village Farm that will help preserve and revitalize Vermont’s rural communities,” said Ben Doyle, PTV president. “We congratulate the community champions who are leading this work and thank Senator Sanders, Senator Welch, and Congresswoman Balint for their support of this wonderful program. We would also like to acknowledge former Senator Leahy, for his work in establishing this important national program and proposing that it be named after his good friend, and former PTV President, the late Paul Bruhn.”
The Pittsford Village Farm project and the Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant program are supported by the Historic Preservation Fund administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. The program supports the preservation and restoration of buildings and community gathering spaces of economic and social significance in rural communities with fewer than 7500 residents. Additional recipients of the Bruhn Historic Revitalization subgrants include the Miss Bellows Falls Diner, Braintree Hill Meetinghouse, the Fletcher Free Library in Ludlow, the New Haven Junction Depot, the Gray Building in Northfield, and the HH Mower General Store in Sheldon. The grants range from $50,000 to $100,000 and will be used toward structural repairs, roof replacement, window restoration, exterior work, restoration of significant interior finishes, and code improvements.
“These grants will provide meaningful support to preserve historic sites in rural communities throughout Vermont. Each recipient represents a unique facet of our history and, thanks to support from the Preservation Trust of Vermont, will remain protected and preserved into the future,” said Sen. Sanders, Sen. Welch, and Rep. Balint. “We are honored to have helped bring this funding home to Vermont and look forward to seeing the role these historic community sites will play for generations to come.”
