On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, Governor Ayotte joined the New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) in announcing more than $3.5 million in matching grants to support 31 land conservation and historic preservation projects across the state. These awards will help communities restore historic landmarks, conserve working forests, and protect the natural and cultural resources that define New Hampshire’s character.
The projects supported by this year’s LCHIP grants reflect New Hampshire’s commitment to safeguarding the landscapes and heritage that make the Granite State unique. In all, the grants will support rehabilitation of twenty-one historic buildings and permanent conservation of nearly 3,000 acres of working forest, wetlands, and ecologically significant land in all corners of the state.
The Goffstown Public Library has received a $19,272 grant award to support the library’s historic window restoration project.
“We are very excited for the window repairs to become a reality, and appreciative of LCHIP’s investment in the Goffstown community,” said Patti Penick, Assistant Director & Head of Youth Services. “The window restoration project has been a priority of the Library Board of Trustees for years, and with this award, we are looking forward to the window restoration, making them fully usable and improving energy efficiency in the building.”
All components of the library’s original 1909 windows will be carefully restored to their original condition and functionality following established historic preservation standards.
LCHIP grant recipients must match each dollar contributed by LCHIP with at least one added dollar and complete the funded projects according to the program’s rigorous standards. The $3.5 million awarded in 2025 will be matched by more than $13 million from other public and private sources, infusing $17 million into the state’s economy through direct project activity.
From left to right: Patti Penick, LCHIP’s Executive Director Paula Bellemore, LCHIP’s Board Chair Richard Lewis, Governor Ayotte, and Library Trustee Judy Johnson. Photo credit to Cheryl Senter.
Patti Penick with George Born, LCHIP Historic Resource Specialist.
About the New Hampshire’s Land and Community Heritage Investment Program
The New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) is an independent state authority providing matching grants to New Hampshire’s municipalities and non-profits, helping to preserve the state’s most important natural, cultural, and historic resources and ensure their contribution to the economy, environment, and quality of life in New Hampshire. LCHIP grants are funded by a $25 fee assessed when deeds, mortgages, and plans are recorded at the state’s ten registries of deeds. Since 2001, LCHIP has awarded 646 grants, totaling over $68 million. As of July 2025, the program’s investment has helped to conserve 247,000 acres of land and rehabilitate 192 historic structures across 206 NH communities. Learn more about how LCHIP is helping to preserve and protect New Hampshire’s heritage at LCHIP.org, by following LCHIP_NH on Instagram or Facebook.
About Goffstown Public Library
The Goffstown Public Library is located at 2 High Street in Goffstown, New Hampshire. Built in 1909, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995, and currently serves a population of over 18,000. In support of its mission, the Library offers a wide variety of services and more than 400 programs offered to the community each year. For more information, visit https://www.goffstownlibrary.com.