Historic New England is dedicated to preserving New England’s architectural and cultural heritage. Our Edward F. Gerber Urban Preservation Fund plays a key role in maintaining historic homes in Connecticut’s urban areas, benefiting homeowners and their communities. Each year, the fund grants up to $10,000 to the owner-occupant of a residential property with up to four units, providing crucial support to homeowners in ten urban centers across the state.
The eligible cities are Bridgeport, Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, New Haven, New London, Norwalk, Stamford, Waterbury, and West Haven.
2026 Applications are NOW OPEN!
Accepting applications through May 15, 2026.
Recipient announced by July 31, 2026
Example Documentation (PDFs)
The 2025 Edward F. Gerber Urban Preservation Fund
The 2025 grant is awarded to Aaron Helfand of New Haven, Connecticut.
The fund supports the restoration of leaded glass windows on the front façade of a beautiful Tudor revival-style home designed by noted architect Leoni Robinson and promotes the craftsmanship of modern tradespeople as well as preserving the historic detail of this house.
The 2024 Edward F. Gerber Urban Preservation Fund
The 2024 grant is awarded to Dorothy Ames of New London, Connecticut.
The grant supports the cost of painting the shingled exterior, which retains beautifully crafted original details, including elaborate window and door moldings, a bracketed cornice, and a porch with turned balusters and dentil molding.
The 2023 Edward F. Gerber Urban Preservation Fund
The 2023 grant was awarded to Dana Geter of Hartford, Connecticut.
The grant supports a roof replacement on Geter’s historic home in the Asylum Hill neighborhood. Geter noted, “As a lifelong resident of Hartford, I have been very gratified by the investment made in my neighborhood. Historic neighborhoods such as mine are important to the city as a whole, and I believe that maintaining these homes demonstrates that people care about where they live.”
The 2022 Edward F. Gerber Urban Preservation Fund
The 2022 grant was awarded to Mary Allison Waggener of Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Ms. Waggener undertook an extensive restoration of her home, Greynook, which was built in 1895 and was referred to in Scientific American as “…a design most exquisitely executed.” The grant helped fund the repair of elaborate cast iron porch railings and a wood porch door.
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