Historical society seeking funds for school restoration project
The Lawrence County Historical Society plans to apply for a matching grant to begin rehabilitation of the 1934 Old Monticello Elementary School, located on Brookhaven Street in downtown Monticello.
The application will be to the Mississippi Department of Archives & History- Community Heritage Preservation Grant Program – Round 14 (House Bill 1730, Laws of Mississippi, 2020). The deadline for this grant is Oct. 2. The grant application and guidelines can be found at www.mdah.ms.gov.
All funds distributed through the grant are awarded in the form of matching grants, which require the grantees or sponsoring organizations to supply a cash match of no less than 20% of the total amount of the project.
After an overwhelming response from the public to MDAH, the school building gained a Mississippi landmark distinction in 2019.
Currently, the Society has $10,000 to present as 20% of a $50,000 proposal for the project. All matching funds must be in-hand at the time of the application, with evidence that it is being used solely for the grant.
The Society would like to give corporations and individuals in the Lawrence County region the opportunity to participate in the project for the future benefit of the community. Anyone able to contribute financially through their organization is asked to contact the Society, which is a non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status, and contributions are tax-deductible. Contributions may be mailed to Lawrence County Historical Society, Attention: Old Elementary School Project, 570 Thomas E. Jolly Dr., Monticello, MS 39654.