CHAMBERSBURG — The Capitol Theatre Center Foundation in Chambersburg has been awarded a $19,200 Keystone Historic Preservation grant.
The money will be used for repairs and waterproofing for a section of the theater that has deteriorated due to ongoing water runoff, according to Ann Wagner, chair of the Board of Trustees for the Capitol Theatre Center Foundation.
“It’s been hanging over our heads,” Wagner said.
She said work will begin as soon as state officials give the go-ahead.
The funding is part of $2.6 million in funding provided by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission to help historical and heritage organizations, museums and local governments in 24 counties.
The commission awarded 52 grants selected from 94 eligible applications. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $25,000 for project grants and $5,000 to $100,000 for construction projects. Grant funding comes from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, which is supported annually from a portion of the state realty transfer tax revenue.
All grants require a 50/50 cash match and were awarded through a competitive selection process.
“We’ve matched it with a couple of other grants,” Wagner said.
Keystone Historic Preservation Grants provide funding to support projects that identify, preserve, promote and protect historic and archaeological resources in Pennsylvania for both the benefit of the public and the revitalization of communities. Funding also supports municipal planning initiatives that focus on historic resources or may be used to meet building or community specific planning goals. The program also supports construction activities at resources listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
“We are pleased to support these important projects from across the Commonwealth. It is rewarding to impact communities in 24 different counties,” said PHMC Executive Director Andrea Lowery. “The selected projects represent the breadth of historic resources that Pennsylvanians value – from cornerstone buildings in their downtowns, to covered bridges and significant archaeological sites. This investment ensures that Pennsylvania’s cultural memory will be preserved for future generations.”
