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State Rep. John Shaban and state Sen.Toni Boucher, both Republicans who represent Weston, were present with Weston First Selectman Gayle Weinstein and Friends of LaChat member Carol Baldwin to accept the check from Helen Higgins, executive director of the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation.
The grant will help fund the restoration of the David Godfrey homestead. The specific work planned includes a new roof and chimney repointing and reflashing work that will be done in conjunction with the roof work.
“In order to know where we are going as a society, we need to appreciate where we have been. Preserving the history of our community is vital to this goal, and I’m happy to have played a small role in it,” Shaban said.
The town recognized the need to restore the house in 2011, when officials expressed concern over the potential liability of the building. The Friends of LaChat were able to successfully apply for a grant from the Connecticut Trust, which allowed for important planning at the same time $130,000 in cash, pledges, and grant monies were raised.
The building is continually being worked on to restore is historic characteristics. A plan has been developed for the property and house for them to be used both for educational and community purposes, including rental garden plots, a production garden and farm stand, children's day programs, school internships, as well as seasonal programs that would reconnect the community to its agricultural roots.
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