Barn Preservation Grant Program

The Historic Barn and Farm Foundation of Pennsylvania administers the Barn Preservation Grant Program to support the conservation of historic agricultural structures across the Commonwealth. The organization focuses on protecting Pennsylvania’s agrarian heritage, recognizing that barns are both culturally significant and increasingly threatened by neglect, deterioration, and demolition. The program is designed to provide financial assistance to property owners to ensure that these historic structures remain intact and functional for future generations while preserving their original character. The primary purpose of the Barn Preservation Grant Program is to fund repair and stabilization projects that align with historic preservation standards. Eligible work includes repairs to roofs, siding, foundations, structural framing, windows, and doors, as well as preventative measures such as drainage improvements and painting. All funded work must adhere to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, emphasizing retention, repair, or in-kind replacement of historic materials. The program explicitly excludes modernization, adaptive reuse, new construction, and planning-related activities such as architectural assessments. Funding is provided as a reimbursement-based matching grant, requiring applicants to contribute a 50/50 cash match toward the total project cost. Grants are awarded only after the approved project is completed in full and verified through documentation, including photographs and proof of payment. Recipients must also comply with long-term preservation requirements, including a condition that the barn cannot be demolished or removed within ten years without repaying the grant, except in cases of natural disaster. Eligibility is limited to Pennsylvania residents who own qualifying barns. Eligible structures must be located within the state, be at least 50 years old, and retain significant historic integrity. While the program primarily targets barns, other agricultural outbuildings may be considered if they are integral to a historic farm complex and used for traditional agricultural purposes. Applicants must also be members of the Historic Barn and Farm Foundation and may only submit one application per year for a single project. The application process requires submission of a completed application form along with supporting materials such as cost estimates, project descriptions, and photographs. Applications are typically submitted electronically via email. The review process includes evaluation by a grant committee based on criteria such as project readiness, preservation impact, completeness of application, and geographic distribution across the state. Site visits may be conducted as part of the evaluation process to verify project conditions and scope. The program operates on an annual cycle. Applications are due by November 1 each year, with awards announced the following March. For the 2027 grant cycle, applications must be submitted by November 1, 2026, and award notifications are expected by mid-March 2027. Funded projects must begin within one year of award and be completed within two years. The program is recurring annually, with application materials typically released in mid-summer preceding the deadline.

Ensure project strictly follows historic preservation standards and uses in-kind materials; provide detailed scope and cost documentation; demonstrate readiness to complete within timeline