LCHIP Day Celebrates Statewide Preservation Efforts
The Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP), in partnership with the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development, will be holding “LCHIP Day” on Sunday, July 29. This inaugural "LCHIP Day" offers a statewide sampling of community-based successes in conserving land and preserving and restoring community landmarks.
“We are inviting all New Hampshire residents and visitors to see, experience, and learn about many of the special places we have permanently protected to remain a part of our unique heritage,” said Rachel Rouillard, Executive Director of the LCHIP Program. “We thank all participating communities and the many volunteers who are making this day of cultural celebration possible for us all.”
LCHIP has provided crucial funding for a number of Forest Society land conservation projects. For example, we are currently working to protect the 2,036-acre Mulligan Forest, Nottingham. A $295,000 LCHIP grant is key to conserving the largest unprotected private woodland left in Rockingham County, and a key watershed for the Lamprey River and Great Bay. Past Forest Society projects funded in part through LCHIP include:
Gold Star Sod Farm/West Portsmouth Street, Canterbury & Concord: a $378,000 grant from LCHIP in 2004 helped protect nearly 1,000 acres of prime farm and forestland, and seven miles of frontage along the banks of the Merrimack River.
Ingersoll Tri-Town Tree Farm, Londonderry, Hudson, & Windham: a $300,000 LCHIP grant in 2003 helped acquire an easement on this 205-acre tree farm in the fast-growing lower Merrimack Valley.
Badger Property, Warner: a $98,000 LCHIP grant in 2003 helped purchase a conservation easement on 745 acres in the Mink Hills, a high priority area for the Quabbin-to-Cardigan Initiative and NH Wildlife Action Plan.
Black Pond & Bagley Pond, Windsor: a $69,000 LCHIP grant in 2002 helped protect a total of 585 acres, and almost all of the shoreline of Black and Bagley ponds.
On LCHIP Day, dozens of the state’s most scenic natural sites and historically significant buildings will be open to the public and offering a variety of programs. Sites include a National Historic Landmark, several buildings on the National Register of Historic Properties, nature trails, house museums, farms, and a variety of civic structures, such as libraries and meetinghouses.
“Residents and visitors alike value what is authentic about New Hampshire–its natural, cultural and built environment,” said Alice DeSouza, Director of the Division of Travel & Tourism Development. “We are pleased to work with LCHIP to offer this opportunity to take a 'behind the scenes' look at some of the places that make New Hampshire special.”
PARTICIPATING SITES The participating sites for 2007 are: Tin Mountain Nature Learning Center in Albany, Colonial Theatre in Bethlehem, Campton Town House in Campton, Capitol Center for the Arts and Kimball House in Concord, Carter Hill Orchard in Concord, North Road Schoolhouse Museum in Danbury, Alumni Hall Cultural and Interpretive Center in Haverhill, Robie's Country Store in Hooksett, Fall Mountain State Forest in Langdon and Charlestown, Flag Hill Winery in Lee, Manchester Cedar Swamp Preserve in Manchester, Valley Cemetery in Manchester, NH Farm Museum in Milton, 1772 Meetinghouse in New Durham, Ossipee Pine Barrens Preserve in Ossipee and Madison, Moffatt-Ladd House and Garden in Portsmouth, Rindge Meetinghouse in Rindge, Colonel Paul Wentworth House in Rollinsford, Garrison Players Arts Centre in Rollinsford, Cheshire Railroad Depot in Troy, Park Hill Meetinghouse in Westmoreland, and Wilton Public and Gregg Free Library in Wilton.
Additionally, LCHIP Day visitors are encouraged to place the following LCHIP sites on their route, although they will not have formal programming: Round Barn at Schmid Farm in Piermont, Wiggins/Raynes Farm and Barn in Exeter, Cilleyville Bog Covered Bridge in Andover, and the Engine House in Newmarket.
The New Hampshire Legislature created the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program in 2000. Since then, the program has funded 129 projects in 103 New Hampshire communities. The program has conserved more than 200,000 acres of land for recreation, hunting, fishing, and farming. And, the program has invested in the historic rehabilitation of more than 87 historic and cultural resources throughout New Hampshire. The grant funds helped to return new revenues, new jobs and help build local businesses. This day-long, statewide event aims to celebrate those successes.
The New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program is an independent state authority that makes grants to New Hampshire communities and non-profits to conserve and preserve New Hampshire’s most important natural, cultural and historic resources. Through this grant program every dollar invested brings in significant local, private, federal funds, and helps New Hampshire businesses and traditional business districts.
For more information about LCHIP Day visit NH.gov's History and Culture page. [Link target no longer exists.]