Nashua Receives Grant To Help Repair Historic Hunt Memorial Building

NASHUA, NH — Nashua has been given a grant that will help the city fund "needed repairs" to the historic Hunt Memorial Building on Main Street, officials said in a news release Thursday.

The $485,000 grant, which will go toward fixing the building's window leakage and other damage, comes from the National Park Service’s Save America’s Treasures Program via Congressionally Directed Spending, according to officials.

"This is a great win for the City, and I thank our staff who pursued and secured this grant," Mayor Jim Donchess said in the news release.

The Hunt Memorial Building was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1971 and, according to Donchess, "is one of Nashua’s iconic pieces of history."

"Since 1903, it’s been a part of life here in Nashua for many generations of residents — first as a library and now as a creative space and event center, Donchess added. "These needed repairs will allow us all to enjoy the Hunt Building for many years to come."

Cram and Ferguson Architects, which describes itself as a traditional religious architecture firm, will accomplish these repairs and renovations as they have in ongoing restoration and preservation projects at the Hunt Building, officials noted.

The firm is connected to the building's original 1903 architect Ralph Adams Cram, who at the time worked in partnership with Goodhue and Ferguson, according to officials.

"As we build, expand, and develop Nashua, it’s important to protect and preserve our historic
past," Liz Hannum, Director of Economic Development said in the news release. "We’re pleased that Cram and Ferguson will retain the integrity of the original design and features as the necessary repairs are completed – including faithfully replicating the original gothic wooden tracery around the windows."