AUGUSTA — The Maine Bicentennial Commission has awarded its second round of Bicentennial Community Grants, disbursing a total of $432,290 among 133 applicants.
The grants support bicentennial festivals and projects throughout Maine, from educational events in Bowdoinham to a fiddle festival in Gorham and more.
“The interest for our second round of grants was incredible and far exceeded our expectations,” said Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Wiindham, chairman of the Maine Bicentennial Commission. “We are so pleased to see the excitement around Maine’s 200th anniversary of statehood.”
The Bicentennial Community Grants program provides funding for bicentennial-themed projects that benefit the public, such as festivals, historic preservation efforts, lectures and curriculum. The commission encourages grant applications from Maine community non-profit organizations, such as historical societies and libraries, government entities, and schools. Private individuals and for-profit corporations are also welcomed to apply in partnership with a non-profit entity.
The first round of grants, awarded in October, included 30 projects, at a total of $142,255. To date, the Bicentennial Commission has awarded $574,545 to assist more than 160 applicants, providing full or partial funding for both large and small projects in every county.
“While the current emergency situation requires postponing some bicentennial events, we are confident that these grant awards will enable continued planning and will soon serve to bring us all together in celebration when it is safer to do so,” said Diamond.
The Maine Arts Commission is administering the grant program on behalf of the Bicentennial Commission. The deadline to apply for the final phase of grant awards is June 1. For more information, visit www.Maine200.org under the “Get Involved” section.
Grants awarded to communites in the Turner Publishing circulation area, in alphabetical order by town and city are:
AUGUSTA
Augusta Literacy for ME
Augusta School Dept.
Kennebec Historical Society
Fort Western
Friends of the Maine State Museum
Maine Archeological Society
Maine Grange Associaition
AVON
High Peaks Creative Council
BATH
Maine Maritime Museum
Main Street Bath
BELGRADE
Belgrade Historical Society & 7 Lakes Alliance
BUCKFIELD
Town of Buckfield
BOWDOINHAM
Bowdoinham Historical Society
Bowdoinham Public library
BRUNSWICK
Bowdoin College
Brunswick Public Library Association
Town of Brunswick
CASCO
Hawthorne community Association
DENMARK
Denmark Arts Center
EAST SEBAGO
Sebago Elementary School
FRYEBURG
Fryeburg Public Library
FAIRFIELD
Good Will Home Association in Hinckley
GARDINER
City of Gardiner
GORHAM
Fiddle-icious
Town of Gorham
GREENWOOD
Town of Greendwood
HALLOWELL
Center for Painted Wall Preservation
Lost Trotting Parks Heritage Center
Vaughn Woods & Historic Homestead
HARPSWELL
Merriconeag Grange 425
HIRAM
Hiram Historical Society
LIVERMORE
Ancient Ones of Maine
LEWISTON
L/A Arts
LOVELL
Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library
MANCHESTER
Pineland Suzuki School
MONMOUTH
Monmouth Museum
Town of Monmouth
MOUNT VERNON
Dr. Shaw Memorial Library
Town of Mount Vernon
OAKLAND
Regional School Unit 18
RANGELEY
Rangeley Lakes Historical Society
READFIELD
Readfield Historical Society
RUMFORD
Regional School Unit 10
SIDNEY
New England Music Camp
TOPSHAM
Maine School Administrative District 75
Topsham Public Library
WOOLWICH
Maine School Administrative District 53
PHOTO: Fort Western, in Augusta. (Maureen Milliken photo)
