Mission:
"The Friends of the Lempster Meetinghouse (FLMH) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3)
group whose mission is to conserve, restore, and rehabilitate the Lempster
Meetinghouse."
Formed in 2006, FLMH received a $75,000 New Hampshire Land
and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) grant for emergency
stabilization of the Meetinghouse - 'Phase One'. This generous grant required full in-kind
and monetary ‘matching funds’.
FLMH sees the need to tackle the challenges of preserving this building
head-on. We seek to not only raise the grant match for Phase One, but to complete the
building’s critical restoration. We hope to make the building usable
and accessible by adding first-floor kitchen and toilet facilities, a
well, septic, modern electrical and fire protection, and handicap accessibility.
The use of an architectural firm and contractors with expertise in historic
restoration are essential.
"The FLMH [Friends of the Lempster Meeting House] are a dedicated
group of volunteers who have thoughtfully approached the rehabiltation
of one of the community's most visible and treasured historic buildings.
While it is tempting to jump into such a project to fix or mend visible
problems, the approach of the FLMH to hire and consult professionals
who will assist in formulating a long-range preservation plan for the
building is ultimately what is best for the building. Proper planning
and a systematic and well thought-out approach to the stabilization and
future use of the building will result in a building that will serve
the community at its optimal capacity for future generations. "
-
Amy Dixon, LCHIP [New Hampshire's Land & Community
Heritage Investment Program, http://www.lchip.org/]
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