Mascoma Valley Preservation

We believe in old places. We believe in their ability to teach us about the past, be useful in the present, and inspire future generations.

Our 2025 Goals

We hope to raise $20,000 this year thanks to a $10,000 match from a generous donor and a $2,500 board commitment. This year, NH Gives proceeds will go toward:

-restoration of the Cheever Chapel stained glass memorial window, scheduled for this summer;

-matching dollars for Cheever Chapel's foundation repair and drainage;

-lighting at the Grafton Center Meetinghouse;

-the final clean-up at our Kimball property (dumpsters and tire disposal)

A lot has happened since last year. We think the transformational projects speak for themselves:

1797 Grafton Center Meetinghouse

We are in the home stretch of this important rehabilitation campaign! Since last NH Gives, we fixed the bell tower, framed the interior, plumbed the building for bathrooms and a commercial kitchen, drilled a well, and ordered an elevator. Our goal is to have the building open for the 10th anniversary of the January 2016 fire. 

Work in 2025 will include installing a septic system, finishing painting, and all the interior work (plaster, electrical, insulation, and flooring).  

This year we will also start the search for a general store/marketplace manager who shares our vision of a community gathering space that just happens to sell sandwiches and beer. 

Kimball Property, East Grafton

This 175-acre parcel with three 19th century buildings sits on the banks of Mill Brook. It’s a fascinating site that has taken our volunteers years to clean up. (We're talking hundreds of tires and dozens of scrap metal dumpsters.)

Construction started in 2024 and the exterior phases should be completed this month. So far, we re-decked the bridge, installed a septic system, lifted the house and poured a new foundation, replaced the mill roof, reframed much of the house, and installed storm windows. Window restoration and more construction are still to come. 

MVP will convert the Kimball property into a hub of activity, including an affordable housing unit, workshop/demonstration space, and miles of hiking trails. 

1905 Cheever Chapel, Dorchester

In 2021 MVP rescued this distinctive building from an uncertain future. Since then, we added it to the NH State Register of Historic Places, commissioned an historic building assessment, repaired the steeple, and cleared the site of encroaching vegetation. 

This summer we will restore the stained glass windows and in 2026 we anticipate putting it on a new foundation. After that, the painting and smaller repairs will be easy!

Canaan's 1923 B&M Freight Shed

This Colonial Revival railroad building on the Northern Rail Trail in downtown Canaan has a cleared site, repaired slate roof, and new sills thanks to several Moose Plate grants and MVP volunteers.

This year we are hoping to finalize its sale from the town to MVP in anticipation of its full rehabilitation so that it can serve the community as a cafe, day care center, bike shop, or whatever other ideas come from the community. 

They are magical places with great potential; it is our hope that you can visit them yourself and see why we're so passionate about their future. For more information, visit https://www.mascomavalleypreservation.org/