money New Towne Gallery, Hotel Millersburg get restoration grants for revitalization work
MILLERSBURG − A pair of downtown businesses are getting more than $155,000 in grant funding for renovation projects through the National Park Service’s Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants Program.
“Historic Downtown Millersburg takes great pride in its downtown district with its historic buildings, rich history and beautiful scenery,” said HDM Executive Director Judy Lamp, “Two of its most prominent buildings have been awarded the Paul Bruhn Grant, which will go a long way in preserving them for generations to come.”
New Towne Gallery, located at 55 W. Jackson St., will receive a grant of $80,864.
With a long history here, having housed the village’s first pharmacy and attorney's office as far back as 1873, New Towne Gallery features contemporary works of Early America, wildlife, nature, landscapes, still life, as well as a diverse collection of handmade goods and period reproduction furniture. There are more than 75 artists and artisans represented.
The grant award will be used to repair the front entry and flooring, for system upgrades to improve safety and energy efficiency, and for interior carpentry work. The gallery will be closed until the end of June while the renovation takes place.
New Town Gallery owner/manager Mark Miller hopes to oversee renovations and work on the back end of the business during the down time.
"I hope to minimize and utilize this down time and find ways to get everything done we possibly can, as far as networking and establishing connections with artists, preparing to reopen and developing our business plan," Miller said.
Miller plans to have a gala reopening this summer; plans are still in the works.
Hotel Millersburg, located at 35 W. Jackson St. will receive a grant of $75,291.
In operation as a hotel since 1847, Hotel Millersburg will utilize its Paul Bruhn grant to install sound-reducing storm window inserts to ensure a quieter stay for guests who come from miles around to stay where Grover Cleveland once laid his head. Other improvement work includes repairs and painting of the historic wood windows and exterior masonry work.
The hotel will remain open during the renovation, but certain rooms will not be available while work is being done on the windows.
Other nearby communities receiving grant funds
The Ohio History Connection has awarded projects in Cambridge, Coshocton and Marietta as well as Millersburg as part of the National Park Service’s Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants Program.
The grants will assist four Main Street communities in Ohio’s Appalachian region with the rehabilitation of historic buildings that prioritize economic impact, use of commercial first-floor space and upper-floor residential space and encourage reactivation of vacant spaces.
Heritage Ohio will administer the grant projects in conjunction with the local Main Street organizations.
"Heritage Ohio is delighted to be working with the State Historic Preservation Office to administer the Paul Bruhn grants,” Executive Director of Heritage Ohio Matt Wiederhold said in a statement released about the projects. “The funded projects will help transform underutilized buildings and spaces in historic districts, create jobs and spur further investment in these downtowns.”
Mary Beth Hirsch, acting director of the State Historic Preservation Office said that she is excited to work with Heritage Ohio on this project.
“This is a rare opportunity to provide federal bricks-and-mortar dollars to rural communities to encourage main street revitalization through the preservation of historic buildings,” she said.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Revitalization grants awarded to New Towne Gallery, Hotel Millersburg
