Mascoma Valley Preservation

In this fiscal year, Mascoma Valley Preservation (MVP) underwent its first formal strategic planning process. During this time, a new mission was adopted, as well as an intended impact. Mascoma Valley Preservation now has strategic priorities for the next five years that include (1) Enhance MVP's organizational structure and capacity (2) Bring current projects to completion (3) Develop and track impact indicators relevant to each project. (4) Increase public awareness of Mascoma Valley Preservation's mission, achievements, and capabilities. (5) Expand and diversify sources of funding. (6) Prepare to take on new projects. During this time, MVP's Grafton Center Meetinghouse also saw significant improvements. After acquiring the building in 2019, the building has undergone immense work to repair the damages left by a catastrophic fire in 2016. This year, the building's timber frame repair was completed, the addition was added for the elevator, the siding was painted, all the windows were completed, a new staircase was installed, and plans for the septic, well, and landscaping began. MVP continued to partner with the Town of Canaan, NH, to repair Canaan's 1923 Boston and Maine freight shed because after rehabilitation, this small, well-designed building has a bright future as a new business site in the village center. With funding from the NH Dept. of Historical Resources Moose Plate, MVP was able to complete renovations to the building's deteriorating sills, ensuring that the building is stable and ready for future renovations . MVP volunteers also completed many hours of onsite cleanup, removing years of debris and trash that had accumulated inside the building. This work was completed in time for the celebration of the building's centennial in 2023. At MVP's Kimball Property, the 175-acre property also saw changes during this fiscal year. As MVP prepares to break ground on the repair and restoration of a historic home, shingle mill, and barn (gifted to MVP In 2019), volunteers completed many hours of cleanup efforts. The interior of the three buildings have been nearly emptied of old debris, historical artifacts were saved, and hazardous materials around the property were disposed of. The historic home will serve as an affordable house rental, while the barn and mill building will serve as a space for an emerging business. Plans are underway to secure a stewardship plan for the forestland so that hiking trails will be available for public use in coming years. MVP completed an assessment of its 1905 Cheever Chapel, an historic property acquired by MVP in 2021. MVP began plans to restore the bell tower and facade stained glass window and cleared encroaching vegetation from the building's perimeter.