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Restoration of THE MCA
In Spring of 2021, the MCA was selected as one of nine VT community projects to receive a reward from
the VT Preservation Trust Paul Bruhn Grant.
"The Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants, named for PTV’s founding President, Paul Bruhn, was created in partnership with Senator Leahy and the National Park Service to help rural communities throughout the country."
We were awarded $50,000 to address exterior repairs, window restoration, and stripping, and repainting the building.
This is an incredible opportunity to finance a much needed restoration for this wonderful building that is such a beacon of Montgomery's Downtown and Main Street.
Find the official press release at https://ptvermont.org/bruhngrants2021/
The Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant Program is administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
In July 2022, St. Albans Messenger staff writer Kate Barcellos wrote an article featuring the restoration work at the MCA.
Click HERE to read the write-up.
In Spring of 2022, the MCA contracted with VT Window Restoration [VWR] to restore the nine Main Gallery colored glass windows and transoms and the 8 lower level windows. The process of window extraction began in July when the sashes and casings were removed and relocated to VWR's warehouse workshop in Winooski.
The full process to restore and reinstall them will take a year to complete. Click the images below to view photos of the window extraction process and the new storm windows that were installed.
(Photos by St. Albans Messenger journalist Kate Barcellos and MCA Curator Sebastian Araujo.)
In Summer of 2023, the MCA contracted with Peck's Painting of Newport, VT. Cory Peck and his team will arrive at the end of September (weather dependent) to begin the grueling work of stripping, repairing, and repainting the complete clapboard siding, trim, doors, porch, and cupola of the site. This will be an extensive, exciting, and much needed facelift for this historic building.
In Summer of 2024, the MCA contracted with Alpine Painting to complete the final touch... exterior painting of the newly restored windows' sills and trim. The meticulous detail work of applying the finishing details to these windows will be the capstone of this ambitious project and we are glad to give this opportunity to a Montgomery company!
The MCA is lucky to have a wonderful base of donors who give contributions great and small to supporting our mission. Most recently, we were thrilled to receive two significant contributions towards the restoration initiative from local Vermont charity foundations that support projects like ours.
In July of 2023, the MCA received:
~ A $4,000 Grant from the Windham Foundation of Grafton, VT ~
The Windham Foundation is an operating foundation with the Grafton Inn which has been open for over 200 years, the Grafton Village Cheese Company which has made award-winning artisan cheese for more than 50 years, and the Grafton Trails and Outdoor Center. The Foundation operates these social enterprises to ensure that the region’s and the state’s rural economy remain viable. The Windham Foundation works to preserve and enhance the social, economic, and cultural vitality of Vermont’s smaller communities and their rural way of life, especially within and around the town of Grafton, Vermont. The Foundation focuses on Vermont’s history, natural resources, and agrarian traditions.
~ A $10,000 Pledge from the Jay Peak Resort Flake Foundation ~
As the largest independent business and employer in the region, Jay Peak recognizes a responsibility to support local communities, the people that live within them, and the various causes and opportunities that help them to thrive. The Flake Foundation was put into place to recognize that responsibility and to create a platform of support.
This substantial donation has bolstered the MCA's restoration initiative and continues to strengthen the bond between the Montgomery community and Jay Peak Resort.
Montgomery Artists' Donation:
In the Spring of 2023, local renowned watercolor painter and multi-generation Montgomery descendant Michael Domina announced his retirement and permanent relocation from Montgomery to Florida. As part of his move from the community, Michael generously donated his entire remaining collection housed at his iconic Red Barn Studio in Montgomery Village to the MCA, half of the proceeds from the sale of which was to benefit the restoration initiative. An ensuing exhibit, auction, and ongoing local and online sales effort raised just over $5,000.
This collection was an exceptional contribution towards the effort and there are pieces remaining in our archive available for purchase. You can purchase these pieces in our online STORE.
A restoration fund will remain in effect for future projects that address historical restoration initiatives affecting the site building at 2 Mountain Road.
~ OTHER MAJOR CORPORATE DONORS ~
--Thanks to all of our donors, great and small, this project has come to fruition in part due to your generosity,
and has improved not only the long-term aesthetic and integrity of the building,
but that of Main Street Montgomery Center, as well! --
