Historic Preservation

Vermont established its Certified Local Government (CLG) program in 1985 to better help local governments integrate historic preservation concerns with planning and decision making processes. Because preservation most often happens at the local level, joining the CLG program is an important and effective way to preserve Vermont's historic places.

Is my community a Certified Local Government?

Established in 1986, the State-funded Historic Preservation Grant Program helps municipalities and non-profit organizations rehabilitate the historic buildings that are a vital part of Vermont’s downtowns, villages, and rural communities, as well as its iconic landscape. 

Established in 1992, the State-funded Barn Preservation Grant program helps individuals, municipalities, and non-profit organizations to rehabilitate the historic agricultural buildings that are a symbol of Vermont’s rural landscape. This is the oldest state-funded agricultural-based grant program in the United States.

Historic Preservation Grants 

If your municipality or non-profit organization owns a historic building, you may be eligible to apply for a Historic Preservation Grant to assist with the cost of repairing and maintaining the structure.

Barn Preservation Grants 

If you own a historic agricultural building, you may be eligible to apply for a Barn Grant to assist with the cost of repairing and maintaining the structure.

Due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Vermont Archaeology Heritage Center will be closed until further notice. If you need assistance regarding collections or archives curated at VAHC, please contact Jess Robinson at jess.robinson@vermont.gov.

VDHP implements a predictive model to identify areas with potential for containing significant Precontact Native American sites. The model may also offer some guidance in locating historic Euro-American early settlements. The predictive model was approved by the Vermont Advisory Council on Historic Preservation on May 23, 2002 and reaffirmed on October 22, 2015.

Environmental Predictive Model 

VDHP can assist in identifying historic resources in the project area and provide guidance on how to evaluate and avoid potential impacts to those resources. This will ensure protection of historic and cultural resources and save project time and money in the development of your project.

To begin the project review and consultation process, the following materials MUST be submitted:

If your project:

When Do You Need Historic Preservation Review?

Project review consists of identifying a project's potential impacts to historic buildings and structures, historic districts, historic landscapes and settings, and to known or potential archaeological resources. Project review is a consultative process between the applicant and VDHP.

When do I need a Historic Preservation Project Review to receive a permit in Vermont? click here