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Financial
Support
Our support for the Barrett Farm Project comes from grants, private
donations, and volunteer time.
Our Financial Needs
This project is expected to need about 4 to 6 million dollars to fund
all of the aspects of bringing this historic site to the public.
Acquisition
The acquisition of this site has been a complex one. Save Our
Heritage acquired much of the land in 2004 from Patrick McGrath and the
house itself from Michael McGrath in 2005. Some of the Barrett
land and much of the surrounding land is still farmed by Patrick, the
third generation McGrath to do so since 1905. SOH built a new
house for Michael at the rear of the Barrett property and he moved from
the Barrett Farm house into his new house in November 2005. Michael has
been a great neighbor helping with various house projects, landscaping,
and property knowledge.
Our acquisition costs (the property, the Barrett Farm house, and the new
McGrath house) add up to over $1.9M. Our financing is by a number of
private loans, but due to 501c(3) constraints and state tax code, interest must be
paid on these loans, now amounting to about $50,000 per year. We
are also working on the fairly long process of Congressional approval for the
National Park Service to acquire the property and add it to the
Minuteman National Historical Park.
Stabilization and Restoration
Our estimates for the stabilization (to keep the house from falling down)
and restoration (to bring it back to the "period of significance"
and make it acceptable for public access) is a bit over $1.5M.
On-going Operations
There are two phases to on-going operations: before and after the sought
after National Park Service acquisition. We currently pay for
security, utilities, insurance, legal, and other related costs.
There is also a desire by many to endow the Barrett Farm to support
on-going maintenance and public access activities. This can be
viewed as one of the "public/private partnerships" commonly
referred to and helps in these days of tight budgets for the NPS.
Funding estimates for an on-going endowment is about $1 - 2M.
Other Site Opportunities
Other buildings on the site were the woodshed connected
to the east side of the house and the large barn to the west of the
house until they collapsed in the 1970s. These buildings, if reconstructed, could be well used for
museum quality displays, education, Minuteman musters, required public
facilities, and many other uses. SOH believes the Barrett
Farm house itself is of such original condition that it should not be
abused by inappropriate uses or facilities. Funding estimates are
between $0.5 and 1.5M to rebuild and equip these buildings. Doing
so would greatly increase the value and usefulness of this site.
Our Funding
The Barrett Family Challenge Grant
A descendant of Col. James Barrett generously offered to match up to
$50,000 for donations received between July and December 2006. We met this significant challenge and very much thank the Barrett
family and all of our contributors!!
Massachusetts Community Preservation Act
("CPA")
Towns have the opportunity to partner with the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts to fund qualifying housing, open space, recreation, and
historic preservation projects. Save Our Heritage has received two
$200,000
grants for the 2006 - 2008 fiscal years from the Town of Concord and its
Community Preservation Committee. Many thanks to the citizens of the Commonwealth and the
Town of Concord!
Federal Save America's Treasures Grant
("SAT")
Save Our Heritage received a $220,000 grant from the Department of
Interior's Save America's Treasures program in December 2006. This
grant requires matching funds from other sources and can be in the form
of cash or equivalent volunteer time. Thank you to all federal tax
payers!
Donations
Save Our Heritage has received over $150,000 (December 2007) from individual
donations. These donations are a important and critical part of our
fundraising effort.
Donations can be sent to Save Our Heritage, Inc, 57 Main St., Concord,
MA 01742. Note "Barrett Farm" on your check.
Stock can also be donated, please contact us by phone or email for
instructions.
Volunteering
Volunteer time is an important part of our funding. It helps by
both meeting grant requirements for matching donations (financial or
volunteer) and by reducing our funding requirements. Please email
Jim @ saveourheritage.com about volunteering.
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