Grant spotlight - port hope area historical society
Over $210,000 in grants were awarded to over 55 deserving organizations in 2023. This number includes our Donor Directed Grants, our designated funds established for a particular organization, as well as our competitive grant awards.
The interior of the Lumberyard
Creating vibrant and dynamic communities is a Priority area of the Foundation. Our largest competitive grant award of 2023 was to the Port Hope Area Historical Society, a group that seeks to continue the vibrancy of Port Hope!
HCCF awarded a grant from our Community Impact Fund to support the restoration of the Brinker/Hunter Lumberyard in Port Hope. The Lumberyard project, official name forthcoming, is a community effort to restore a historic structure and create a museum that honors and celebrates the history of the Thumb region. The Lumberyard will also feature a venue space, complete with an overhang, to host musical performances, lectures, and other community events.
Volunteers work diligently each week to create a space that honors our region’s history.
The Port Hope Area Historical Society is a community led, volunteer driven organization. Volunteers can be found weekly, year-round, working on the restoration. For many of the volunteers, this is not the first time they have worked to restore a piece of Port Hope history. The historic depot, located just around the corner from the Lumberyard, along with many downtown buildings, have benefitted from a hands-on community that values history.
The grant award will assist in the supplies and professionals needed to finish the venue portion of the project. Community Impact Fund grants are used to support the areas of greatest need and opportunity as defined by the community created Strategic Priorities. A fixture of vibrant communities is well utilized community spaces. The Port Hope Area Historical Society will do just that by combining the arts and the history of the region in one venue. Follow along on the restoration on their Facebook Page.
HCCF grant awards range from providing basic needs services, to the arts, to supporting schools and communities. We’re proud to impact every corner of our county with our grantmaking and look forward to seeing HCCF grant dollars put to work to increase the quality of life for all Huron County residents. Click the button below to see the full list of grants awarded from HCCF Funds in 2023.
The “Before” photo of the south side of the Lumberyard, future home of the covered venue space for performances, speakers, and other community events.