Unlock Historic Preservation Funding: A Providence County Homeowner’s Guide to Grants and Certified Masonry Contractors

Providence County’s rich architectural heritage tells the story of America’s past through its historic homes, from colonial farmhouses to Victorian mansions. For homeowners fortunate enough to own these treasures, maintaining their historic integrity while accessing funding for necessary masonry repairs can seem daunting. However, numerous grant programs and financial incentives exist specifically to support historic preservation efforts when working with qualified contractors.

Understanding Historic Preservation Grants in Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission operates two grant programs and serves as a clearinghouse for information on other preservation grants and financial assistance. The State Preservation Grants program provides grants for capital preservation projects at museums, cultural art centers, and public historic sites located in historic structures. This program is funded by Rhode Island voter-approved bond issues.

The following eighteen Rhode Island communities are Certified Local Governments: Bristol, Coventry, Cranston, Cumberland, East Greenwich, East Providence, Glocester, Hopkinton, Narragansett, New Shoreham, Newport, North Kingstown, North Providence, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, Providence, South Kingstown, and Warwick. To qualify for Certified Local Government status, a community must have a historic district zoning ordinance and a historic district commission. CLG communities may participate in the nomination of properties to the National Register of Historic Places, and are eligible to apply for federal CLG grants for survey and planning projects.

Preserve Rhode Island (Preserve RI) distributes matching grants of up to $10,000, made available by The 1772 Foundation for brick-and-mortar projects to non-profit organizations that own or lease a historic building. Funding in the form of 1:1 matching grants of up to $10,000 will be made available for historic preservation projects in Rhode Island.

Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives

While individual homeowners cannot access federal historic preservation tax credits directly, owner-occupied residential properties do not qualify for the federal rehabilitation tax credit, understanding these programs is crucial when considering income-producing historic properties or working with developers on larger projects.

The Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives program encourages private sector investment in the rehabilitation and re-use of historic buildings. It creates jobs and is one of the nation’s most successful and cost-effective community revitalization programs. It has leveraged over $116.34 billion in private investment to preserve 47,000 historic properties since 1976.

Community Development Block Grants

Community Block Development Grants help communities carry out a wide range of community development activities directed toward revitalizing neighborhoods, economic development, and providing improved community facilities and services. Cranston, East Providence, Pawtucket, Providence, Warwick and Woonsocket operate their own CDBG programs. Projects in other Rhode Island municipalities may apply for State Community Development Block Grants from the R.I. Office of Housing and Community Development

The Importance of Certified Masonry Contractors

When pursuing historic preservation grants or tax incentives, working with properly certified masonry contractors is essential. All (or select) project team craftworkers of the Masonry Restoration Contractor assigned to this project will be required to have the International Masonry Institute – Historic Masonry Preservation Certificate or equal and to provide evidence of certificate or a letter of the firm’s commitment to enroll key project personnel in the certificate program prior to the start of the project. HMPC is a 50-hour program covering the role of craftworkers in the overall execution of a preservation project, including the theory and history behind the preservation movement, an in-depth understanding of traditional materials/methods, and advancements in preservation technology.

Historic masonry restoration projects are successful when qualified craftworkers are included within the project team. The International Masonry Institute (IMI) offers a six-day Historic Masonry Preservation Certificate (HMPC) course for journey-level masonry restoration contractors with the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers.

Above and Beyond Chimney Service: Your Historic Preservation Partner

When selecting a contractor for historic masonry work, experience and local knowledge matter. Above and Beyond Chimney Service operates in Norfolk, Plymouth County, MA and Providence, RI. Having served Norfolk and Plymouth Counties for years, they understand the impact of coastal moisture on chimney brickwork and the specific creosote buildup patterns resulting from the types of wood commonly burned in this region. This localized knowledge allows them to personalize their cleaning and maintenance techniques for optimal effectiveness in your area.

They also specialize in masonry work, including historic chimney restoration and hardscaping services. Their main clients are homeowners seeking professional chimney care to enhance safety, improve heating efficiency, and maintain air quality. As a family owned and operated company, they have over 25 years of industry experience and are founded on strong internal values and uncompromising integrity – which means that with Above & Beyond Chimney Service, you can expect honest, ethical business practices and actions, no matter what.

For homeowners in Providence County seeking historic preservation funding, partnering with an experienced Masonry Contractor in Providence County, RI like Above and Beyond Chimney Service ensures that restoration work meets the stringent standards required by grant programs and historic preservation guidelines.

Steps to Access Historic Preservation Funding

To successfully navigate the grant application process, homeowners should:

• Determine if their property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places or is a contributing structure in a historic district
• Contact their local historic district commission for guidance on appropriate restoration approaches
• Work with certified masonry contractors who understand historic preservation standards
• Document existing conditions thoroughly before beginning work
• Ensure all work complies with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation

CLG communities may participate in the nomination of properties to the National Register of Historic Places, and are eligible to apply for federal 50% matching grants for survey and planning projects. This makes Providence County particularly well-positioned for homeowners seeking preservation funding.

Historic preservation grants and tax incentives provide valuable opportunities for Providence County homeowners to maintain their properties’ historic character while ensuring structural integrity. By understanding available funding sources and working with qualified, certified masonry contractors, homeowners can successfully preserve their piece of American history for future generations while accessing financial support for necessary restoration work.