“After 4 years of fundraising and beginning to run out of energy for our one-room schoolhouse restoration project, the retreat at the Grand Isle Lake House was really helpful. We got information on contacts for different kinds of grants and how to write them and lots of support not to get discouraged! Through these contacts and the support of PTV and the Vermont State Division of Historic Preservation we have been able to complete the grant writing process and receive the funds we need to get a matching grant. We are on our way to a new foundation!”
–Courtney Dobyns, Root Schoolhouse, Norwich
2025 Preservation Retreats
Accessibility in Historic Buildings
September 17-18, 2025
Are you struggling with how to balance preserving the historic integrity of your building
with meeting accessibility requirements? This retreat will explore the complex issues of providing accessibility while preserving the integrity and character of historic properties. Our retreats employ a unique structure that allows each group to present a summary of their project and a specific challenge or opportunity their project is facing, followed by group discussion and troubleshooting. Project presentations will be interspersed with presentations by a professional architect, a specialist in accessibility, and representatives from the Preservation Trust of Vermont, the VT Division for Historic Preservation, and the Vermont Arts Council.
REGISTRATION FULL
Energy Efficiency and Historic Preservation, October 8-9,2025
Are you struggling to understand how best to weatherize your historic building? Retrofitting historic properties to improve energy efficiency, reduce heating costs, and keep historic features intact is possible! Historic buildings were designed to be efficient and take advantage of the resources available at the time of construction - sunlight, airflow, and water. This retreat will explore how best to approach energy retrofits to maximize the building's inherent efficiencies and will share best practices that generally will not impact the historic character of your building.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 24th
2025 Completed Preservation Retreats
Sacred Places in the Northeast Kingdom, Day-long Retreat
April 29, 2025
Churches, synagogues, and sacred places play a critical role in the health and wellness of our communities. They often act as overflow shelters for our most vulnerable citizens or as community gathering places for cultural performances or events. At the same time, these buildings can be challenging to maintain. Join PTV Staff along with technical assistance providers from the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation, Vermont Interfaith Power & Light, and Partners for Sacred Places as we explore potential partnerships for existing churches and new uses for underutilized church buildings. This retreat is generously sponsored by the Adalard A. and Valeda Lea Roy Foundation.
New Life for Old Libraries
June 11-12, 2025
There has been a flurry of funding challenges for Vermont's libraries; how can historic libraries be prepared to make the best opportunities as they become available? This retreat will explore the balance of preservation of historic buildings that provide modern community services, explore planning and capital funding sources and the associated regulations, and help set libraries up to plan for and implement projects successfully.
Fundraising and Project Management
July 9-10, 2025
What techniques do community projects use to successfully fundraise while enhancing the use of their historic buildings? Christine Graham of CPG Enterprises will be on hand to provide training in the areas of capital campaigns and annual giving. We will also explore how to manage a rehabilitation project, work with grantors, contractors, and the community to assure success.
We are grateful for our partnership and underwriting support from The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation.