Local Historic Sites Awarded Keystone Grants

More than $1.75 million in Keystone Grants were recently awarded by the Bureau for Historic Preservation of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. A total of 31 projects statewide were awarded a grant (out of 82 applications submitted). The official start date for these projects should be in January or February.

Seven of the historic preservation projects funded were in the Philadelphia region:

-Mill at Anselma Preservation and Educational Trust $65,000.00

West Pikeland Twp, Chester County

The project will restore the exterior and interior of the Simmers-Collins House (Night Miller's House), c. 1872, and post office (c. 1933) to its appearance in the 1930s. The Simmers-Collins House significantly contributes to the immediate historic landscape of the c. 1747 Mill at Anselma, a property listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The first floor of the house and post office will be open to the public, enhancing the interpretation of Depression-Era village life at the Mill at Anselma. Contact: Heather P. Reiffer, 610-917-0447

- Saturday Club $60,000.00

Radnor Township, Delaware County

Constructed in 1898, The Saturday Club has been renovated and maintained throughout its history as a center for community development. Structural problems early on and the building's age warrant several substantial repair projects if the clubhouse is to remain vital and safe to the community. Major electrical, plumbing, interior and exterior repairs/painting are necessary at this time. Contact: Cindy Bevan-Wilson, 610-948-1339

- Ambler Main Street $90,000.00

Ambler, Montgomery County

To restore the historic detail of the 1928 Ambler Theater, including: the reconstruction and installation of the marquee tower; the restoration finishing of decorative columns in the promenade and lobby; and the repair, restoration, and finishing of the plaster decorative detail in the theater auditorium.

- Cliveden of the National Trust, Inc. $46,000.00

Philadelphia

The proposed project will replace the shingled roofing on Cliveden's Main House and on its wash house and kitchen dependencies. The work will arrest bulk moisture infiltration, the property's highest preservation priority, prevent further damage to interior finishes, and permit the planned installation of environmental controls to go forward. Contact: Kris Kepford, 215-848-1777

- College of Physicians of Philadelphia $72,500.00

Philadelphia

The Mütter Museum of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia seeks support to restore an exhibit area in the Museum. This restoration would expand the Museum footprint by 820 square feet by reclaiming a room adjacent to the present exhibit area. Known as the "Tumor Room," this room was originally part of the Museum but is currently used for collection storage and a conservation laboratory. Contact: Edward Plocha 215-563-3737

- Johnson House Historic Site, Inc., $50,000.00

Philadelphia

The requested funding will support the second phase of a program to secure the building envelope of Johnson House from environmental intrusion. In particular, it will address the replacement of the wood shingled roofing over the whole building, the repointing of the eastern facade, and the selective repointing of the other three elevations. When completed, the work will permit interior restoration, such as replastering and painting, which has been impractical until now. Contact: Evelyn Felder, 215-438-1768

- University of the Arts, Philadelphia $50,000.00

Philadelphia

The University of the Arts seeks to restore and preserve one of the most centrally and prominently located Frank Furness-designed structures in Philadelphia. The red brick garden wall and carriage house are part of University's landmark central building complex featuring work by John Haviland (1824-1826 original building), William Strickland (1838 addition), and Furness (1875 addition.) The Furness-designed walls (adjacent to the new Kimmel Center) are structurally unsound, needing immediate restoration. Contact: Eugene Bolt, 215-717-6144

For a full list of the 31 statewide funded projects, click here. For more information on the Keystone Program visit at www.artsnet.org/phmc or contact:

Bryan Van Sweden

Grant Program Manager

Keystone Historic Preservation Grant Program

Bureau for Historic Preservation

(717) 772-5071