July 2024
MVP broke ground at the Kimball Mill property! With funding from CDFA, LCHIP, and the 1772 Foundation, selective demolition and excavation began around the Kimball house to prepare for a new foundation. The house was then lifted by Granite State Building Movers and awaits its brand new foundation.
June 2024
MVP hosted an open house at the Grafton Center Meetinghouse to celebrate the near completion of Phase II. Bell tower, exterior painting, septic, well, and rear addition work to be completed this fall.
April 2024
Critical property clean up completed at the Cheever Chapel, removing trees to close to the building, encroaching brush, and poison ivy. The building is now more visible and safe from natural hazards.
March 2024
MVP welcomes a new member, Nancy Rosenthal, to the board of advisors! Nancy’s expertise was immediately valuable in financial planning, stewardship, and donor cultivation.
October 2023
JR Graton finishes his scope of work at the Meetinghouse and MVP welcomes Jeff Richards of Enfield to complete the final phases of work.
August 2023
MVP demonstrates window glazing at Canaan Old Home Days. The remaining windows for the Meetinghouse are now all glazed and ready for paint.
April 2023
MVP completes a strategic plan to guide the organization for the next 3-5 years. Read it here!
Sills are replaced at the Canaan Freight Shed thanks to funding from Moose Plate. Stan Graton (3G Construction) does the work.
October 2022
Timken Foundation awards $50,000 to the Grafton Center Meetinghouse.
Exterior painting starts at the Meetinghouse.
April 2022
Ten volunteers from Hypertherm in Lebanon, NH spend a day at the Kimball property cleaning out the barn and basement of the mill.
March 2022
The slate roof repairs to the Canaan B&M Freight Shed are completed, thanks to the hard work and generosity of Leon Shabbot and crew.
Winter 2021-22
MVP board members and volunteers spend the cold months inside, sanding/priming/glazing/painting window sash and columns for the Meetinghouse.
The foundation and timber framing repairs at the Meetinghouse are nearly complete.
December 2021
MVP receives a second LCHIP grant for the Meetinghouse, this time in the amount of $200,000. Once matched, the funds will finish the exterior restoration, provide for mechanical systems, and do some interior finishes.
Half of the Kimball Mill property’s CDFA tax credits, $150,000 worth, are sold. The remaining half will be available after April 2022.
September 2021
Another Moose Plate grant is secured to address the rotted sills at the Canaan Freight Shed.
July 2021
Cheever Chapel is officially transferred to MVP and is listed to the NH State Register of Historic Places.
June 2021
NH’s Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) awards MVP $300,000 in tax credits for rehabilitation of the Kimball Property.
May 2021
MVP raises $2,000 in donations through two yard sale fundraisers.
April 2021
MVP hires local timber-framer to break ground on the Grafton Center Meetinghouse; work officially begins!
December 2020
Governor Sununu and NH Executive Council approves MVP's $10,000 Moose Plate grant application to repair Canaan's 1923 Freight Shed slate roof.
November 2020
Almost 80 local individuals and businesses donate goods for an online auction that raises $8,000 in an online auction.
October 2020
Kimball Mill Property added to the NH State Register of Historic Places.
LCHIP awards MVP $62,500 in a matching grant to restore the exteriors of the Kimball Mill and House.
August 2020
Northern Border Regional Commission awards MVP $315,000 for construction of a rear elevation and septic system at the Meetinghouse.
July 2020
Thanks to a $12,500 grant from the McIninch Foundation, MVP is now within $30,000 of raising $300,000 toward Phase II of the Meetinghouse project.
June 2020
MVP raised $30,000 through NH Gives, generous donors, and the Byrne Foundation.
April 2020
MVP awarded a $10,000 grant from the 1772 Foundation, adminstered through the NH Preservation Alliance.
Grafton Center Meetinghouse featured in SooNipi Magazine.
February 2020
MVP turns one year old!
December 2019
MVP was awarded $150,000 in matching funds from NH’s Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP).
MVP is also awarded $15,000 in grants from the Upton and Brundage Foundations.
December 4, 2019: “Preservation grants boost Grantham, Grafton, Newport projects.” Valley News.
November 2019
MVP accepts generous donation of Kimball property, consising of 175 acres and three old buildings in East Grafton.
October 2019
October 26, 2019: “Before rehab, preservationists wrap Grafton Meetinghouse ahead of winter.” Valley News.
September 2019
MVP receives planning study grants from NH Preservation Alliance and National Trust for Historic Preservation.
August 2019
August 22, 2019: “Grafton Selectboard Approves Deal for Meetinghouse.” Valley News.
August 20, 2019: “Group raises enough cash to buy Grafton Meetinghouse.” Valley News.
August 1, 2019: “What it takes to preserve history along Route 4 in NH.” NHPR.
May/June 2019
June 17, 2019: “Mascoma Valley Preservation to Buy Grafton Meetinghouse.” NHPR.
May 28, 2019: “Nonprofit wants to repurpose Grafton’s Center Meetinghouse.” Valley News.