Skinner Block, South Royalton
March 15, 2024 —
The Preservation Trust of Vermont announced today a Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization grant of $50,000 to the Skinner Block in South Royalton.
Constructed in 1887, the Skinner Block is part of “The Block” in South Royalton, which originally consisted of twelve Italianate Revival-style store units. The units were unified across the front elevation by a cohesive façade, despite each unit having different architectural details. The Skinner Block was home to a hardware store, butcher, and, for the past 30 years, a small restaurant. When the restaurant closed its doors, the owners decided to take the opportunity to update the space and restore historic features. The Bruhn Grant will support the rehabilitation of the Skinner Block, focusing on exterior repairs, the restoration of first-floor interior finishes, and first-floor code compliance upgrades, and is one of two Bruhn Grants awarded to privately-owned commercial buildings located in Designated Village Centers.
“The Preservation Trust of Vermont, in partnership with the National Parks Service, is excited to support projects like the Skinner Block 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 Skinner Block 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, the Marshfield Village Store, the Kimball Public Library in Randolph, 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.”
