NH’s Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) Awards 31 grants, totaling more than $3.5 million to 26 Communities and Non-Profit Organizations Across the State.
Governor Ayotte joined the New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) on December 9 in announcing more than $3.5 million in matching grants to support 31 land conservation and historic preservation projects across the state, including a preservation planning grant to the Portsmouth Historical Society.
The Portsmouth Historical Society’s main gallery space and welcome center, located at 10 Middle Street, consists of two historic buildings (the Portsmouth Academy, 1809, and the Morton-Benedict House, c. 1811) that are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Ongoing issues such as HVAC failures and water infiltration have underscored the need for a long-term preservation strategy.
The $13,930 grant award from LCHIP will support a comprehensive building assessment, enabling the Historical Society to prioritize preservation work and ensure the building continues to safeguard Portsmouth’s history while remaining accessible to the public. Grants all over the state will help communities restore historic landmarks, conserve working forests, and protect the natural and cultural resources that define New Hampshire’s character.
“We are deeply grateful for LCHIP’s support as we carry forward our responsibility as stewards of these City-owned historic buildings, ensuring they are thoughtfully preserved and remain accessible to the public for generations to come,” said Emma Stratton, Portsmouth Historical Society’s Executive Director.
The Preservation Company, in cooperation with Placework and Consulting Engineering Services, will undertake the building assessment in 2026. Once the assessment is complete, funding needs and an implementation timeline for the recommended preservation projects will be evaluated.
LCHIP grant recipients must match each dollar contributed by LCHIP with at least one added dollar and complete the funded projects according to the program’s rigorous standards. The $3.5 million awarded in 2025 will be matched by more than $13 million from other public and private sources, infusing $17 million into the state’s economy through direct project activity.
About the New Hampshire’s Land and Community Heritage Investment Program
The New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) is an independent state authority providing matching grants to New Hampshire’s municipalities and non-profits, helping to preserve the state’s most important natural, cultural, and historic resources and ensure their contribution to the economy, environment, and quality of life in New Hampshire. LCHIP grants are funded by a $25 fee assessed when deeds, mortgages, and plans are recorded at the state’s ten registries of deeds. Since 2001, LCHIP has awarded 646 grants, totaling over $68 million. As of July 2025, the program’s investment has helped to conserve 247,000 acres of land and rehabilitate 192 historic structures across 206 NH communities. Learn more about how LCHIP is helping to preserve and protect New Hampshire’s heritage at LCHIP.org, by following LCHIP_NH on Instagram, or Facebook.