Preservation League of NYS awards Earlville Opera House grant funding

EARLVILLE, N.Y. — The Preservation League of NYS has awarded the Earlville Opera House (EOH) a $10,000 grant.

Since including opera houses on its statewide “Seven to Save” list of endangered historic sites in 2018, the Preservation League of NYS has worked to study and assist opera houses across New York State.

The Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Charitable Foundation of New York City has supported that work. After funding a statewide opera-house survey in 2019, the Adams Foundation proposed a re-grant partnership in 2022 to help pay for the rehabilitation, restoration, and repair of historic arts and cultural venues, open to organizations that previously received Preservation League grants.

Both EOH and the Hubbard Hall Center for the Arts and Education in Washington County (northeast of Albany and near the Vermont border) were awarded grant funding.

Besides that funding, EOH has also been named the 2022 Donald Stephen Gratz Preservation Services Fund grant recipient, receiving an additional $10,000 to fully fund their Victorian-era storefront restoration and window repair project.

“As a graduate of Hamilton College, I am always pleased that the award in honor of my friend Don Gratz helps preserve Central New York cultural and educational institutions,” said Thomas Schwarz, whose contributions underwrite the League’s Gratz Fund.

“Rental income from the newly renovated shops will help support our dual mission to enrich Central New York through the arts while preserving our historic building for future generational use,” Michelle Connelly, EOH executive director, said. “We take our role as stewards of this National Landmark to heart and strive to make Earlville Opera House a destination reflective of the cultural resources of our region. As an anchor in our community, we aim to make the arts accessible to all.”