Kimball Public Library, Randolph
March 15, 2024 —
The Preservation Trust of Vermont announced today a Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization grant of $50,000 to the Kimball Public Library in Randolph for the restoration of the domed cupola.
Constructed in 1903, the Kimball Library was funded by Robert J. Kimball and designed by H.M. Francis & Sons, which designed many Romanesque Revival libraries across New England. Bruhn Grant funds, in combination with funding from the Division for Historic Preservation, the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, the Town of Randolph, and a Congressionally Directed Spending award made possible by former Senator Leahy, will support the restoration of the cupola, preserving the exceptional building for future generations.
“The Preservation Trust of Vermont, in partnership with the National Parks Service, is excited to support projects like the Kimball Public Library 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 Kimball Public Library 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 McIndoe Falls Academy in Barnet, Marshfield Village Store, the Skinner Block in Royalton, the Starksboro Village Meeting House, Moscow Mill in Stowe, the Wallingford Block, and the Windham Meeting House. 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.
“We are glad to see this federal funding support the preservation of historic sites in rural communities throughout Vermont. Each recipient represents a unique part of our state’s history and, thanks to the good work of the Preservation Trust of Vermont, will remain protected and preserved long into the future,” said Sen. Sanders, Sen. Welch, and Rep. Balint. “We look forward to seeing the role these historic community sites will play for generations to come.”
