All Hall Call!
December 5, 2023
Calling all civic hall stewards! We held a peer-to-peer conversation about the challenges, opportunities, and future of preserving and enlivening Maine's grange network of rural community cultural spaces.
This convening was a continuation and expansion of the Maine Civic Halls Initiative. Drawing on the expertise of historians, government officials, community leaders, business owners, economists, and active grangers, and citing original research, Greenhorns and Maine Preservation produced a report on the current status of civic halls of Hancock and Washington counties.
At the December 5th convening, representatives from Greenhorns, Maine Preservation, and the Maine Arts Commission were in attendance to support a robust conversation around opportunities, challenges, and collaborations throughout the civic hall network.
Next steps: CAM, Greenhorns, the Maine Arts Commission, and Maine Preservation want to continue nurturing this learning community of civic hall stewards! Please complete the Civic Hall Survey to help expand our awareness of the location, status, and needs of our rural community spaces. Sign up for CAM’s newsletter (and those of our partner organizations!) to receive announcements and updates on this evolving initiative.
Links & Resources
Civic Halls Project Overview
Civic Hall Survey (Greenhorns)
Civic Hall Project Overview (Greenhorns)
“Saving the halls and granges that house so much of our heritage" by Joyce Kryszak in The Maine Monitor, August 5, 2023.
Guidance
Field Services from Maine Preservation: guidance for stewards of historic resources across the state.
The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation: Provide direction in making appropriate choices in planning the repairs, alterations, and additions to be eligible for the Historic Preservation Tax Incentives program. These are the standards most often used by local historic district commissions nationwide.
Create a listing on Creative Ground (New England Foundation for the Arts): Connect with and learn about peer cultural organizations around New England.
Grant Information
Maine Preservation: Partners with The 1772 Foundation and the Northeast Heritage Economy Program to fund historic preservation projects across Maine
Congressionally Directed Spending (“Earmarks”): All four of Maine’s federal delegates participate and if applying, it is advised to contact both senators and your House rep. See information for Senator King’s application process here.
USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program: This program provides affordable funding to develop essential, non-commercial community facilities in rural areas with fewer than 20,000 inhabitants. For more information, contact Rhiannon Hampson, State Director for Maine.
Grants.gov: Search all grants administered by the Federal Government.
National Park Service Grants for Cultural Resources, Consultation, and Repatriation: Grants fund a broad range of planning, development, and research projects for historic sites.
Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation & the Future: The Community Resiliency Partnership can use funds for civic buildings, including civic halls.
Policy & Advocacy
Information about two bonds for cultural facilities in the 131st Maine Legislature: CAM is following these closely and will send updates to our newsletter subscribers.