December was a good month for the Putney Historical Society and the Next Stage Arts Project. The project was awarded two large grants, a start to filling the coffers for project phase two. The project involves renovating a former church building in the center of Putney Village, also known as 15 Kimball Hill, to become a performing arts center.
The first phase of the project involved bringing the building up to code, as described on the historical society's website:
The Putney Historical Society is pleased to be able to say that the building is now in compliance with fire and life-safety code and is a major step closer to full compliance with ADA regulations. The first floor is now fully accessible and the second floor has a code-compliant rear fire exit. In addition, the two bathrooms and rear addition in poor condition have been rebuilt and the crawl space has a new vapor barrier. These improvements are critical to allowing events to continue at the emerging new Next Stage community and performance venue in Putney.
Fifteen Kimball Hill is now home to the Putney Historical Society and Next Stage Arts Project offices. The building is also used for concerts, film screenings and other events. Phase two of the project, which includes a $500,000 capital campaign, will transform the space into a fully accessible community arts center.
Last month the project was awarded $70,000 from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board and $20,000 from the Vermont Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and the Division for Historic Preservation. The money raised for phase two will be used to install an elevator for second floor accessibility, restore the slate roof and belfry, complete exterior repairs and painting, make electrical upgrades, structural repairs, add a sprinkler system and make other key interior improvements to the performance space.