Delaware Preservation Fund awards grant to historic properties

Layers of construction uncovered during a renovation project at Parson Thorne

Parson Thorne Mansion was one of the recipients of $124,122 in grant funding from the Delaware Preservation Fund, one of 24 historic sites in Delaware to receive the funding. Milford Historical Society, who owns and manages the mansion, will use the funding for exterior painting.

“Grants like those provided by the Delaware Preservation Fund are essential to the maintenance and support of buildings like the mansion,” Ralph Prettyman, President of Milford Historical Society, said. “Over the past few years, through the generous support of organizations like Delaware Preservation, the Community Reinvestment Fund from the state as well as Grant-in-Aid funding, we have been able to complete much needed renovations on one of the oldest buildings in our city. Because of these grant funds, we are now able to begin opening the mansion on a regular basis to visitors.”

Prettyman explained that, starting in September, the mansion would be open for tours on the second Saturday of each month from 10 AM to 2 PM. Admission will be free to tour the building, but donations are appreciated. The historical society is seeking volunteers to train as docents as well.

“Our organization was able to make a larger impact this year due to a generous contribution of $50,000 from the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs and a $25,000 grant to support projects in New Castle County,” Jeremy Rothwell, President of the Board of Directors for Delaware Preservation Fund, said. “Every year, we have to turn down strong applications for historic places that are deserving of support, but for which there is not enough funding. But this year, thanks to the DHCA’s support and the contribution from New Castle County, we didn’t have to turn down very many.”

Parson Thorne was the only publicly available building in Milford to receive funding from the fund. Other public historic properties to receive funding included George Read House, Taylor’s Bridge School, Winterthur Museum’s gatehouse, a bank building owned by Historic Odessa Foundation, the Governor Ross Mansion in Seaford. Several privately owned properties also received funding.

“Even small grants like those issued by the Delaware Preservation Fund make big impacts,” Michael Emmons, Jr., a manager for the Center for Historic Architecture and Design (CHAD), said. “One of the projects funded helped repair a failing 170-year old structural system under St. Daniel’s Community Church, a historically black church built around 1855 in the Iron Hill area of Newark.” The grant funding was used to fix a sagging floor and a sinking column that supported an upper gallery.

In the past, the fund has supported physical, bricks-and-mortar type projects, including new roofs, porch restorations and masonry repairs. Recently, the fund began considering planning projects as well.

“This is an important new category of work for the fund,” Cate Morrissey with CHAD said. “Often times, an engineering assessment or a nomination to the National Register of Historic Places is a crucial first step toward saving an historical building.” One awardee in a previous grant cycle was able to have their property added to the national registry.

The next application period for awards will begin in late 2024 with a submission deadline in February 2025. For more information, visit Delaware Preservation Fund online.