Do you have a barn or agricultural outbuilding that is 50 years or older in need of repairs? Does it retain a significant degree of historic character and materials? Then the Historic Barn and Farm Foundation of Pennsylvania (HBFF) has a grant opportunity for you!
This year marks the inauguration of HBFF’s matching grant program to encourage the maintenance and repair of historic barns and outbuildings throughout Pennsylvania as one way to promote and support the preservation of Pennsylvania’s rural heritage.
About HBFF
Established in the late 2000s, the Historic Barn and Farm Foundation is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational resources for the long-term preservation, protection, and documentation of historic barns in Pennsylvania and the agricultural heritage of the commonwealth.
Grant Program Background
In January 2020, PA SHPO entered into a Letter of Agreement (LOA) with PennDOT and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to resolve adverse effects resulting from the proposed I-81 New Interchange (Exit 12) Project in Guilford Township, Franklin County. PennDOT and FHWA consulted with PA SHPO and other consulting parties under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (Section 106), which requires federal agencies to take into account the impact of their actions on historic and archaeological resources in the project area.
As part of the Section 106 consultation, PennDOT determined that the new I-81 interchange project would result in an adverse effect to the Archibald Rankin Farm because the new roadway would be located on a portion of farmland historically associated with the property. The Archibald Rankin Farm (1993RE00072) is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A for Agriculture.
PennDOT consulted with PA SHPO and other consulting parties to identify measures to minimize and resolve the adverse effects. This mitigation involved the development of a statewide barn preservation grant program administered and operated by HBFF.
The Grant Program
HBFF’s matching grant program is to assist barn owners in the retention and preservation of this rich agrarian building heritage. Whether a barn needs a great amount of work, such as a new roof or foundation, or simply needs minor repair work, such as painting or roof patching, the intent of this matching grant program is to assist in preserving historic barns of various types, sizes, and conditions throughout the commonwealth.
Matching grant awards of up to $2,500 will be distributed as a reimbursement after the project is completed in accordance with the agreed upon plan and renovation standards. HBFF expects to announce the first round of grant recipients in March 2023.
Who’s Eligible
To be eligible for the matching grants, buildings must be at least 50 years old, have originally served an agricultural use, and retain a significant degree of historic character and materials. Barn owners must be a current Pennsylvania resident and a current HBFF member.
Preference will be given to barns that are visible from a public right-of-way, with the initial round of grant awards focusing on limited-scope water infiltration repairs (i.e. new roof, foundation repairs, etc.).
Read the HBFF Barn Grant Guidelines for more information.
How to Apply
Download the HBFF Barn Grant Application and submit all requested information including:
- barn information,
- map of barn location,
- description of proposed project,
- project timeline and project readiness,
- how the project promotes the long-term use of the barn,
- photographs,
- detailed cost estimate by a licensed contractor, and
- barn survey form.
Deadline
The deadline for this matching grant program is December 1, 2022.
You can read more about this exciting new program on the HBFF website at http://pahistoricbarns.org/barn-grant-program/.
