Ciresi announces $40K in historic preservation funds for Henry Muhlenberg House upgrades

TRAPPE, June 2 – Citing the critical but often overlooked importance of energy efficiency and consistent heating and cooling in long-term preservation, state Rep. Joe Ciresi announced today a $40,000 Keystone Historic Preservation Grant for Historic Trappe.

Specifically, the Henry Muhlenberg House will use the funding to replace an outdated, failing HVAC system with a new, energy efficient HVAC system that will ensure preservation of both the historic structure and its irreplaceable contents.

“Energy efficiency not only saves costs in the long-term, but for historic sites like the Henry Muhlenberg House, which was built in 1750, the implementation of a modern HVAC system means important preservation of documents and items contained within,” said Ciresi, D-Montgomery. “It also means added comfort for future visitors, as well as staff, which will be of great benefit when the house is soon reopened to the public for tours.”

As Ciresi noted, the HVAC replacement will enable the Henry Muhlenberg House to be reopened post-COVID and allow plans to proceed for installing a special loan exhibition in the second-floor gallery.

“On behalf of Historic Trappe, I’d like to thank Representative Ciresi for his support of this grant,” said Lisa Minardi, executive director of Historic Trappe. “The old geothermal system is in dire need of an upgrade, as rapid temperature fluctuations and humidity are an ongoing danger to Muhlenberg family portraits, silver, furniture, needlework and more, most of which is original to the house. So, this funding will absolutely help preserve artifacts that are important not only to our region, but to Pennsylvania and American history.”

Ciresi supported Historic Trappe’s application for a Keystone Historic Preservation Grant, which was among those statewide awarded a total of $2.3 million by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission to support the preservation efforts of historical and heritage organizations, museums and local governments. 

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 helps facilitate 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.   

These grants receive funding from the Keystone Recreation, Park & Conservation Fund, which is supported annually from a portion of the state realty transfer tax revenue. 

More information is available by contacting Ciresi’s office at 484-200-8265.