Village Trust Funds Jacksonville, Readsboro Projects

The Village Trust Initiative will provide up to $450,000 for historic building revitalization in two Vermont villages.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Philanthropy

Village Trust Funds Jacksonville, Readsboro Projects

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Should your town use public funds to restore historic buildings?

The Village Trust Initiative will provide up to $450,000 for historic building projects in Jacksonville and Readsboro, and the Whitingham Community Trust has been selected to join the program's third and final cohort. The funding will go to both projects along with technical assistance.

Why it matters

The program supports community-led efforts to preserve historic spaces and strengthen Vermont's village centers. For Vermont residents, the projects aim to convert aging civic buildings into spaces for community use.

The Village Trust Initiative will provide up to $450,000 across the Whitingham and Readsboro projects. The individual allocation for each project was not specified in the announcement.

The players

Village Trust Initiative

A joint program of the Preservation Trust of Vermont, Vermont Council on Rural Development, and the Vermont Community Foundation that supports preservation of historic spaces in Vermont's village centers.

Whitingham Community Trust

A community organization in Whitingham, Vermont, selected to join the third and final cohort of the Village Trust Initiative.

Readsboro Hometown Redevelopment

A local redevelopment group in Readsboro, Vermont, that acquired and is revitalizing the E.J. Bullock Building.

Rep. Emily Carris Duncan

A Vermont state representative who serves on the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development and is a member of the Whitingham Community Trust.

The details

The Whitingham Community Trust is working to transform the Jacksonville Masonic Lodge, built in 1850 as the town school, into a performance hall and community center. The Readsboro Hometown Redevelopment acquired the E.J. Bullock Building in 2009 and has opened its first floor to community events while it determines which uses are most needed and feasible.

1850: Jacksonville Masonic Lodge is built as the town school.
2009: Readsboro Hometown Redevelopment acquires the E.J. Bullock Building.
November 8, 2026: Village Trust Initiative funding and Whitingham selection are announced.

Market Landscape

The Whitingham selection completes the Village Trust Initiative's three-cohort rollout, the final phase of its village preservation grants. The program's joint sponsorship by the Preservation Trust of Vermont, the Vermont Council on Rural Development, and the Vermont Community Foundation positions it among the state's main rural revitalization efforts.

Residents of Jacksonville and Readsboro may see the revitalized buildings open for performances, classes, and community events. The projects' specific public schedules and programming have not yet been announced.

The takeaway

Historic civic buildings in small Vermont towns can be preserved for shared community use when local groups combine public funding with technical planning support. Residents interested in these projects can follow local trusts for updates on programming and fundraising.