House Republican Press Release

May 26, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

 Rep. Stripp: Grants Approved for Redding Historical Studies

$6,000 Okayed for Agricultural Outbuildings Survey; $2,000 for heritage House Structural Assessment

Grants that will help pay for a survey of historic agricultural outbuildings such as barns, carriage houses, and wells in Redding, and a structural needs assessment of the town-owned Heritage House have been approved by the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, state Representative John E. Stripp, R-135^th District, announced today.

“Historic structures and sites throughout Connecticut are disappearing before our eyes. In some cases, it is the result of structural deterioration due to neglect. In others, it is because of development pressure,” Representative Stripp said. “The studies these grants will fund will enable the town to expand its current survey of historic structures in Redding to include agricultural outbuildings such as barns, carriage houses and wells and to prioritize maintenance and rehabilitation goals for Heritage House.”

“Redding’s historic structures are links to our past that help us understand the challenges our ancestors faced and how they overcame them. They are an important part of our local history, culture and tradition. Conducting an inventory of the structures where our forefathers lived and worked is a necessary first step we must take before we can began a comprehensive program of preservation,” Representative Stripp said.

The grants include:

• $6,000 for the agricultural outbuildings survey.
• $2,000 for the structural needs assessment of Heritage House (c. 1794) at 100 Hill Road, an historic two-story house with a gable roof.