Vermont, renowned for its fall scenic and farm barns, is adding 20 more historic farm buildings to its restoration list. A circa 1780 English barn, a mid-twentieth century corn crib, a circa 1840 sugarhouse and 1915 dairy barn are among those receiving a total of $282,786 in Barn Preservation Grants this year.

The matching grants from the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation help restore and maintain historically and architecturally significant agricultural buildings. Since its inception 22 years ago, the program has granted nearly $2.4 million towards the preservation of over 300 historic farm buildings.

SHORING UP: This 1915 Robinson dairy barn at Woodstock, Vt., is being adapted to host parties and events at the Bed

Grants of up to $15,000 are available for repair projects ranging from roof replacements, to structural and frame repairs, window restoration, and foundation and drainage improvements. To qualify, buildings must be at least 50 years old and listed in, or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

"The commitment of the grant recipients to preserving our historic agricultural resources for current and future generations deserves recognition and applause," notes Laura Trieschmann, Vermont state historic preservation officer. With more than 35 applications, "the program is intensely competitive," she adds, "and has successfully elevated the profile of agricultural-based preservation."

Works in progress
Here's a quick peek at the projects:

•Yellow Barn Farm, Arlington: Barn repairs address missing and undersized timbers, failing posts at the foundation and weak structural connections.

•Cotter Barn, Brattleboro: The barn's fieldstone foundation will be restored, timber framing repaired/replaced in-kind, and the roof, windows, doors and siding repaired/replaced.

•McDonald Farm, Danville: The 1894 main dairy barn repairs include the cracking foundation and leaking roof, replacement of interior posts and beams plus and installation of new windows, doors, and siding.

•Maple Grove Farm, Derby: Stabilize and rehabilitate the high drive and north wall of the circa 1890, four-level bank barn.

•Hutchinson Farm, East Corinth: Next phase for this circa 1840 dairy barn addresses lingering structural issues at the barn's south gable.

•Gidding/Wimble Farm, Fairfax: Work planned at this circa 1850 horse barn includes repairs to the foundation, damaged windows, and wood frame, and a new standing seam metal roof.

•Mitchell's Sheep Farm, Fairfax: Planned repairs of this circa 1845 barn include restoring the stone foundation and timber sills and reconstructing deteriorated windows and doors.

•Harlow Brook Farm, Hartland: Restoration of this circa 1850 bank barn includes repairs to the barn's wood framing, posts, flooring, and foundation.

•Hall Farm Corn Crib, North Bennington: The unusual corn crib's roof will be replaced and repairs made to vertical supports and cross bracing.

•Clover Farm, Northfield: Constructed in 1844, restoration efforts include replacement of deteriorated sills and posts, improved drainage, plus repairs to the cupola and drive-bay floor.

•Waterman Hill Farm, Norwich: Phase one efforts on this circa 1780 English barn include comprehensive structural stabilization, improved drainage and stone foundation restoration.

•Forward/Brushett Farm, Richmond: Restoration of the circa 1800 portion of the dairy barn includes foundation repairs, rotten and missing structure timber replacement, plus new siding.

•Ashcroft Barn, Rutland: Rehab of this circa 1860 dairy barn at Billings Farm includes foundation repairs, re-grading, and exterior cladding restoration.

•Haven Hill Sugarhouse, South Londonderry: Rehab work on this circa 1840 sugarhouse includes a new roof, reinforced framing, repaired flooring, plus re-grading and drainage work.

•Upwey Barn, South Woodstock: A section of this 1937 barn's failing metal roof will be replaced.

•Winchester Farm, Stannard: A new concrete foundation plus proper drainage will be constructed on this 1916 gambrel bank barn.

•Chap Family Farm, Stockbridge: Planned repairs on this 1920s barn include a new roof, in-kind sill and post replacement, a new concrete foundation, and new haymow flooring.

•Blake Farm, West Fairlee: Rehab on this circa 1820 cow and hay barn includes sill and post repairs, a new concrete foundation plus repairs to siding, windows and doors.

•Johnson Farm, Williston: The circa 1840 section of this main barn will be rehabbed with a new roof, repaired posts and new siding.

•Robinson Barn, Woodstock: Work planned at this iconic 1915 dairy barn will address failing structural elements. 

Check out the details of the funded projects at: barn_grants. For more grant info visit: preservation_grants.