By Martha Slater

The state of Vermont has awarded Matthew and Sarah Murawski of Randolph a $10,000 Barn Preservation Grant to help them pay for work needed on a century-old barn on their Beanville Road property.

A majestic 45 feet square and 55 feet tall, with a 20 by 50-ft. ell, the main part of the barn was built in the early 1900s and the older section dates from the mid-1800s. The decorative cupola high atop the main barn had become a popular haunt for pigeons, with predictable results, but recent repairs have made the cupola pigeon-proof. Some rot in the corner beams needs to be repaired, as does the back section of the barn roof, which is still covered in the original slate. However, one of the biggest problems is that the barn's sills are rotten.

The Murawskis bought the property, which includes a brick cape-style home and 27 acres of land, about two years ago. Although some potential buyers had been put off by the large barn, they were thrilled with it. Their two children, five year-old Maia and four year-old Nate, think the barn is a wonderful place to play. The family also has four horses, which will be housed in stalls the Murawskis plan to build in the lower section, replacing the stanchions left there from when the building was used as a dairy barn.

The $10,000 grant is only a portion of what's needed to do a complete restoration. Sarah noted that they had received estimates of from $20,000 to $100,000 for the work that's needed.

"Right now, our hope is to just get the building stable, so as we can afford it in the future, we can do other things to preserve it," she explained. "The grant will help us get started on that."

Administered by the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation, the grant program provides owners of agricultural buildings with matching funds of up to $10,000 for a variety of capital repairs. Eligible projects include repairs to roofs, foundations, walls, sills, and overall stabilization. In making decisions on funding, the Vermont Advisory Council on Historic Preservation prioritizes projects that ensure the continued use of significant agricultural buildings in critical need of repair.

In announcing the grants, Governor Douglas remarked, "Every year we lose historic barns from failed roofs, frames and foundations, snow load or fire. We know that our state's rich agricultural heritage and working landscape draws visitors to Vermont, and preserving barns is an important part of strengthening both our tourism and agricultural industries."