Merion Friends Meeting
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Merion awarded $25K grant
Melinda Yin • June 8, 2019
PA Historical and Museum Commission selects Merion, along with 56 other applicants this year
This year 96 eligible applications were received by the commission, and Merion was among the final awardees. All of the grants require a 50% cash match.
The Merion grant was written by Ross Mitchell. It seeks to assess the conditions of the many structures on the campus, including the Meeting House, horse sheds, activities building, and 1804 Joseph Price house (John Dickinson birthplace). The project will require the professional expertise of historical architects, engineers, and conservators.
"These grants make an enormous difference to communities across Pennsylvania," said PHMC Executive Director Andrea Lowery. "They assist townships and municipalities in revitalization and development efforts, providing funding for vibrant use of historic buildings within their communities. We are thrilled to provide increased funding to more than $2.5 million this year, supporting 57 projects, including several in distressed cities."
These grants receive funding from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund. This fund is supported annually from a portion of the state realty tax revenue. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is the official history agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Other grantees in Montgomery and Philadelphia counties include several familiar peer institutions and several Quaker-affiliated groups.
Historical Society of Montgomery County - $5,000.00
Lower Merion Township - $100,000.00
Merion Friends Meeting - $25,000.00
American Philosophical Society - $44,200.00 John Bartram was one of the founders.
Awbury Arboretum Association, Inc. - $20,783.00 Former gardens of Friend Francis Cope, in Germantown.
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc. - $25,000.00 Begun by Friends.
Historic Gloria Dei Preservation Corporation - $65,175.00
Independence Seaport Museum - $37,911.00
Mount Vernon Baptist Church - $45,453.00
Philadelphia Girls' Rowing Club - $60,490.00
Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks - $90,000.00
Stenton, NSCDA/PA - $84,525.00 -Home of Quaker John Logan and later generations.
Congratulations to Merion and all the other grantees!
Some of this content was taken from a press release of the PA H&MC.
Digital Epistles from Merion
Silent Vigils held to honor the lives of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and the countless known and unknown victims of injustice were organized by Laura Jackson and Melinda Yin. Members, attenders, and allies have been standing in front of the Meeting House from May 29 to June 13, from 30 to 60 minutes in groups of 2-16. The Sisters of Mercy and their friends, joined in the second week. Their spiritual mission encompasses a commitment to social justice, with 5 interdependent critical concerns. These are: non-violence, the earth, immigration, anti-racism, and the condition of women.
Sasha Chavchavadze, 65, worships from Wellfleet, Mass. .