The Last Green Valley, Inc. (TLGV) has awarded $15,000 in grants to six local organizations to preserve, protect, interpret, promote or market historic and cultural resources. Since TLGV began awarding historic and cultural grants in 2003, more than $1 million has been disseminated to local nonprofits and towns in the National Heritage Corridor. For many organizations, the funding is the necessary step toward completion of their projects.

“The history of The Last Green Valley is rich and varied,” said Lois Bruinooge, executive director of TLGV. “These projects are a way to ensure local history is passed on to future generations to enjoy and learn from.”

TLGV awards grants based on a competitive application process. Every project is vetted and evaluated for its potential benefit to the region. Every successful grant must be matched 1:1 by cash or in-kind contributions.

The following grants were awarded:

The Aspinock Historical Society of Putnam was awarded $4,000 for its ongoing restoration of Cady Copp Cottage, the oldest standing building in Putnam, located on Liberty Highway (Route 21). The grant is part of an almost $16,000 project to restore the building. The project would help restore portions of the outside of the building, protecting it from the elements and wildlife, and, also, making Cady Copp Cottage suitable for educational programs

The Eastford Historical Society was awarded $2,185 to preserve an original 1868 map, create a digital image, a preservation master and create a reproduction for display and handling by researchers. The map, “Map of Mill Properties belonging to Joseph B. Latham,” depicts the extensive holdings in the center of Phoenixville, a section of Eastford, in intricate detail. The map was an integral resource for Old Sturbridge Village when it conducted research in Phoenixville in the early 1980s.

The Lisbon Trails Committee was awarded $2,060 as part of the ongoing restoration work at Historic Burnham Tavern. The trails committee proposes to design signage for the property and further develop the trail system on the property, including trail mapping and signage with appropriate heritage information regarding the property.

The Thompson Historical Society was awarded $1,680 for the purchase of equipment to aid in iongoing digitization of its extensive historical collections. The project allows the historical society to preserve its physical documents while creating an efficient and effective inventory and catalog of historical information.

Thompson Together was awarded $3,075 for the restoration of seven of Thompson’s historic cemeteries. The cemeteries – Carpenter, Joslin, Porter, Bates, Jacobs, Fabyan and Dike – will be assessed and plans for restoration at each developed. The work will include general maintenance to the cemetery grounds and the resetting and repair of tombstones.

The Windham 4-H Foundation was awarded $2,000 for the repair of a historic fireplace and chimney in the main lodge of the Pomfret Center Camp. The 40-foot chimney serves fireplaces on both floors of the lodge and was completed in 1955 by local masons, the Wilcox brothers. The need for flue, ventilation and other repairs means the fireplaces have not been used recently for 4-H traditions dating back to the start of the camp. TLGV funding will join funding from the CT Trust for Historic Preservation and camp funding to complete the project.

Elaine Nelson, project director for the 4-H Foundation’s Chimney and Fireplace restoration said “our all-volunteer foundation works very hard to maintain more than 40 buildings on our property. Finding resources to fund things we cannot do with volunteer labor is a constant battle. The saying carved over the mantle says it all ‘1954, Dedicated to Youth through the Generosity of Many.’ The financial support for this project from the Last Green Valley is greatly appreciated. It is yet another tangible representation of the spirit of generosity that thankfully is part of our foundation’s culture and legacy going back to its 1954 beginnings.”

The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor is the last stretch of dark night sky in the coastal sprawl between Boston and Washington, D.C.  The Last Green Valley, Inc. works for you in the National Heritage Corridor. Together we can care for it, enjoy it and pass it on!