Forbes House Museum Receives Grant from National Trust for Historic Preservation

“Organizations like the Forbes House Museum help ensure that communities all across America retain their unique sense of place,” said Paul Edmondson, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “We are honored to provide a grant to the museum, which will use the funds to help preserve an important piece of our shared national heritage.”

Plans for the funds include developing materials to promote restoration and future use of the carriage house and barn as a community resource. Designed by architect Isaiah Rogers, the carriage house was built in 1833 in the same Greek Revival style as the main house. In the late 19^th-century, the renowned Boston architecture firm of Peabody & Stearns designed the shingle-style barn addition.

Grants from the National Trust Preservation Fund range from $2,500 to $5,000 and have provided over $15 million since 2003. These matching grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations and public agencies across the country to support wide-ranging activities including consultant services for rehabilitating buildings, technical assistance for tourism that promotes historic resources, and the development of materials for education and outreach campaigns.

To further support restoration efforts, Milton residents Mary and Ted Wendell created a $25,000 challenge gift, which the museum has matched with gifts from trustees, additional donors and proceeds from its spring fundraiser, Blow Ye Winds!, on June 11. 

“We’re grateful to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Mary and Ted Wendell, and all our supporters who are generously helping us with this initiative,” said Heidi Vaughan, the museum’s executive director. “Our carriage house and barn are treasured parts of the museum’s history and we’re dedicated to restoring the buildings and making them available for wider community use.” 

For information about museum exhibits, tours and programming, call 617-696-1815 or visit forbeshousemuseum.org. 

For more information on National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Preservation Fund grants, visit Forum.SavingPlaces.org/funding.