National Trust for Historic Preservation Awards FWHA a Preservation Grant Towards Interior Restoration Plan
July 13, 2017
The FHWA was awarded a $14,000 grant by the National Trust for Historic Preservation from National Trust Preservation Fund. These grant funds will be used to create an interior restoration plan for four rooms in Willard House. Once implemented, the Willard House interior will have been completely renovated and restored.
The project will develop an interior restoration plan for Mother Willard’s Bedroom and the Bathroom on the 2nd floor of Rest Cottage (the original portion of the House built in 1865), and the Parlor and the Music Room in the “Annex”, the portion of the House that was added ca. 1880. The plan will include initial physical discovery of finishes, primary research for photographic and/or written documentation, and research in the field for suitable finishes – trim, floor and wall coverings, and fixtures (lighting and plumbing).
“Organizations like The Frances Willard Historical Association, help to ensure that communities and towns all across America retain their unique sense of place,” said Stephanie Meeks, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “We are honored to provide a grant to The Frances Willard Historical Association, which will use the funds to help preserve an important piece of our shared national heritage.”
“We are extremely proud that this is the third grant given to us in five years by the National Trust for Historic Preservation,” said Glen Madeja, Executive Director. “We received planning grants for the renovation of the WCTU Headquarters Building, an historic landscaping plan for the entire WCTU Local Historic District, and now this grant for the interior restoration of Willard House. These grants are extremely competitive. It shows that this property is recognized as being incredibly important at the national level.”
Grants from the National Trust Preservation Funds range from $2,500 to $25,000 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.
You can contribute to our efforts to raise matching funds here.
Other News
Check out our restored rooms!
We have completed restoring four rooms in Willard House and have revamped several museum rooms to tell a broader story of the history of Frances Willard, the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, and their astounding work advocating for women’s rights and social justice. We think you will be surprised by the contemporary relevance of their work and hope you will come to visit soon. Tours take place every Sunday (March – December). Tour hours are from 1-4 pm and tours take place at 1, 2 and 3 pm. Special tours are also available by appointment. Please email tours@franceswillardhouse.org for more information about tours or to schedule a special tour.
Just added! Third Thursday Lunchtime Tours
Featured Collections Object: The Polyglot Petition
Our new display of the Polyglot Petition.
The polyglot petition is considered the first international effort to stop the trafficking of alcohol and opium. “Polyglot” comes from two Greek words: “poly” meaning many and “glot” meaning languages. The petition has signatures from residents of six continents. We would like to thank the Jim and Annanette Harper Family Foundation for their generous support of this display.