How to Get a Historical Restoration Grant

Restoring an older home takes a lot of patience. Depending on the age of your home, you may qualify for a historic restoration grant, which will aid in the financial burden of a home restoration project. After researching the history and the age of your home, contact your local courthouse or homebuilder's association to direct you to the proper officials who will be able to give you the paperwork needed to get started on a grant. Each city, county and state has different rules and regulations concerning historical restoration grants. This article is only a general guideline of things to expect when preparing to apply for a restoration grant.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Learn the history. Search the local library, courthouse and city museum for any information regarding the former state of your home. Search for documents and photographs containing your home and its address. Ask local residents for any additional information.

2. Seek eligibility. A restoration grant is meant to assist you to restore your historic home to its original glory. You may be eligible for a grant if you are seeking structural repairs, external repairs or restoration of unique historic features. For this reason, it is important to obtain old photographs of your home. You will have to submit a brief summary of the proposed project.

3. Prepare to submit current information about your home and property. You may be required to have your home inspected prior to obtaining the grant. Your property may also be required to be surveyed. If the home will require interior construction to restore its original living space, you will have to seek an architect to obtain professional floor plans and elevation. Be prepared to pay for these services.

4. Submit a letter of intent. Most historic societies that give grants to restoration home owners will require a letter of intent stating the current condition of the structure, proposed construction that the funding will pay for, a summary of how the home will be used (Will it be opened to the public for weddings and reuinions or will it be used as a bed and breakfast?) Also, the letter of intent should include a time frame for the project's completion.

5. Learn terms and conditions. Following the restoration of your home, the local historic society may have terms and conditions for you to adhere to due to the act that you received a grant for the restoration of your home. Some terms and conditions may include being in the view of the public or being included on a historical home tour.

Tips & Warnings

• To add to the history of your home, get a journal of the renovation process.
• Being a recipient of a restoration grant, you may be under obligation to inform the local histoic society before making any changes to your home. Changes may be required to have society approval.