The Last Green Valley, Inc. (TLGV) recently awarded $12,000 in grants to four 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 organizations. For many the funding is the necessary step toward completion of their projects.

“These four projects are important to preserving the rich history and culture of The Last Green National Heritage Corridor,” said Lois Bruinooge, Executive Director of TLGV. “These projects all stand out because of the long-term benefits they will provide not only to the organizations leading the projects, but to the entire community.” 

TLGV awards grants based on a competitive application process. Every project is vetted and evaluated for its potential benefit to the region by a team of reviewers. Every successful grant must be matched 1:1.

The following grants were awarded:

Killingly Historical and Genealogical Society in Killingly, CT was awarded $1,000 for its “Preserving the Past” project. The project will catalog and preserve historic photographs, postcards, maps and other items and make them more accessible to the public. 

Norwich Historical Society in Norwich, CT was awarded $4,000 for its project called “Restoration of the circa 1759 David Greenleaf House.”  The house is a historic property on the grounds of the Leffingwell House Museum and the funds will go directly toward restoration of the rear lower level of the home to create an accessible space to accommodate more visitors for events and programming. Renovation of the space will allow both the Leffingwell House Museum and the Norwich Historical Society to expand programming and events. 

Thompson Together in Thompson, CT was awarded $4,000 for its project called “Thompson Cemetery Restoration II.” The grant will fund cleanup and repair work at six of the town’s 24 cemeteries. The grant will help fund an ongoing effort of the committee to preserve and conserve the cemeteries, which had been neglected for many years. All the cemeteries play an important role in Thompson’s history. 

Town of Thompson, through its Trails Committee, was awarded $3,000 for its project called “Traveling Through Thompson: Directional and Interpretive Signage to Protect & Promote Thompson’s Historic and Cultural Resources.” The Town will develop a consistent signage plan to promote and protect Thompson’s resources and provide valuable information to visitors to enhance their experience. Many of the town’s historic locations will receive signage. 

The Last Green Valley is a National Heritage Corridor – 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. We help you to care for, enjoy and pass it on.