Thank You Senator Leahy

The Preservation Trust of Vermont congratulates Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) on today’s announcement of his retirement, and thanks him for his exceptional commitment to Vermont and to the field of historic preservation. 

Senator Leahy has always understood the importance of historic preservation, and that Vermont is unique, valuable and worth protecting. Since PTV’s founding more than 40 years ago by his first campaign manager, first Chief of Staff, and good friend the late Paul Bruhn, Senator Leahy has steadfastly worked in partnership with PTV to help Vermont’s rural town centers thrive. There is no leader who has been more supportive of our work.  

In partnership with Senator Leahy, PTV established the Village Revitalization Initiative Program in 2005. The program enabled PTV to invest $2.4 million in 27 communities, resulting in $27 million worth of total project costs. This successful program earned national awards in 2011 and 2014.

In 2019, using the VRI program as a model, Leahy created the national Historic Revitalization Subgrant Program (renamed the Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant Program). Funded through congressional appropriations through the Historic Preservation Fund, the program supports rural communities working to revitalize historic properties in their communities of national, state and local significance in order to restore, protect and foster economic development in rural villages and downtown areas. Thanks to the Senator, to date PTV has been able to grant more than $1.35 million to 16 communities in Vermont, and will be able to grant an additional $525,000 to more communities in the coming months.

“Senator Leahy has often spoken about how important Vermont’s iconic gathering places, villages centers, and downtowns are to a sense of place,” said Ben Doyle, President of the Preservation Trust of Vermont. “Thanks to his continued leadership, small towns around Vermont have maintained and revitalized the communities they love. We look forward to welcoming Senator Leahy home.” 

Paul Bruhn and Senator Patrick Leahy.