Feb. 26, 2015
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Religious properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places are now eligible for historic preservation development grants through the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History. These properties may apply for the upcoming development grant deadline; submissions must be postmarked by March 31, 2015.
The National Park Service notified the SHPO that the prohibition against religious properties as eligible grant recipients has been lifted. “This change in policy will open our grant program to religious buildings that are significant community resources,” said Susan Pierce, deputy state historic preservation officer. “The development program serves a variety of property owners, public and private, that have an important responsibility to protect and preserve our historic resources.”
Eligible projects include the restoration and rehabilitation of churches listed in the National Register of Historic Places. All applications must show evidence of public support and public benefit.
A complete application package, including funding priorities and selection criteria, is available by calling (304) 558-0240 or visiting http://www.wvculture.org/shpo/grantmanual/development.html.
Grant awards will be made based on appropriation of funds from the West Virginia Legislature or U.S. Congress.
For more information on the grant programs, contact Pamela Brooks, grants coordinator, at (304) 558-0240 or pam.a.brooks@wv.gov.
The West Virginia Division of Culture and History is an agency within the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts with Kay Goodwin, Cabinet Secretary. The division, led by Commissioner Randall Reid-Smith, brings together the past, present and future through programs and ser vices focusing on archives and history, arts, historic preservation and museums. For more information about the division’s programs, events and sites, visit www.wvculture.org. The Division of Culture and History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
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