State awards 2nd grant for barn restoration

Posted on Jun 01, 2010

Lauralton Hall has been awarded a Historic Preservation Technical Assistance Grant (HPTAG) from the CT Trust for Historic Preservation. This is the second grant the school has received from the state to aid in restoring the historic barn. Presented by Helen Higgins, Executive Director of the CT Trust for Historic Preservation, the grant will assist the school in the cost of preparing bid level architectural plans and specifications for the restoration and re-use of the barn. The money comes to the school as a “matching grant” and thanks to the generosity of various donors and Lauralton Hall supporters, the match has already been met, creating a total of $27,400 to use toward the next phase in the renovation process.  Interim Director of Development Patricia J. Rooney, RSM, ’54 states that “we are thrilled to be receiving so much support from the state of Connecticut as well as from local historic organizations, the City of Milford, and loyal Lauralton donors. We look forward to their continued partnership, the support of the entire Lauralton family and the Milford community as we move ahead in the restoration process which is expected to take a few years to complete.”  

Click here for coverage by the New Haven Register of the barn restoration and grant.

The historic barn is the only one of its kind in the state of Connecticut and possibly the nation. Built in 1864 by Charles Hobby Pond, it is one of the finest examples of the Victorian Gothic period. In 2014 the property will be one hundred fifty years old " a real milestone for the city of Milford and the state of Connecticut. The school is currently in active pursuit of being recognized on the National and Connecticut state registries of historic places.

Thanks to the first highly competitive barn grant awarded to the school last summer from The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, the initial stages of stabilizing and restoring the unique barn which had fallen into disrepair have begun. The school is pleased to be utilizing the expertise and craftsmanship of Kronenberger & Sons Restoration; a company committed to restoring our national treasures such as the Gilette Castle in East Haddam, the Florence Griswold House in Old Lyme, and Mark Twain’s former Hartford, CT home to name a few.

In November 2009, the cupola which graced the top of the barn was lifted off the barn for repair work. It will be hoisted back into place at a later date. The next step in the restoration process began at that time when the entire roof of the barn was covered with a tarp in an effort to prevent further damage from the elements.

Once the barn is fully restored for adaptive re-use, the school intends to use the space possibly as a performing arts center.