A two day intensive planning charrette will be held on April 12 and 13, 2024 with a focus on Sunapee Harbor. A charrette is a lively brainstorming session where a team of professionals come together with town officials, civic members and the public. Together, all participants help craft recommendations addressing possibilities for the future. This charrette builds on the initial workshop Plan NH completed in 2007. The recommendations from that exercise inspired in large part the preservation efforts for The Livery in Sunapee Harbor.

Public sessions will take place at The Livery
in Sunapee Harbor
Friday, April 12th
Session 1: 3:30- 5:00 pm
Session 2: 6:30 – 8:00 pm
A public presentation will be made
Saturday, April 13th at 3 pm

All are welcome. Registration is recommended but not required.

To all of you who have supported us through donations, volunteer hours, renting the hall & attending events and to Northern Borders Regional Commission awarding us this momentous grant, thank you!

Our Board of Directors has entrusted the experts at Milestone Engineering and Construction with the formidable task of rebuilding and strengthening the 130 year old foundation at The Livery. When the work is completed, the main hall and stable areas will be up to code and ready to serve as a landmark at the center of our community!

Construction work on the foundation at The Livery will begin later this fall. 

For Immediate Release

November 23, 2020

Historic Livery in Sunapee Harbor awarded structural grant

The Northern Borders Regional Commission (NBRC) has approved the award of a $350,000 grant to the Sunapee Heritage Alliance (SHA) to establish non-profit ownership of the 1892 “7 to Save” historic building known as “The Livery” in Sunapee Harbor, and to complete structural upgrades and roofing work to bring the facility up to current codes. These upgrades will reinforce the structural systems and help SHA achieve its vision to save and repurpose this historic facility to handle a wide array of community uses including performances, exhibits, meetings, social functions, and conferences.

The Sunapee Heritage Alliance, a 501-c-3 non-profit organization was formed 5 years ago to focus on the protection of the cultural and architectural heritage of the Lake Sunapee region. The SHA board of directors has expanded on the work previously started by Sunapee town committees and has been working in partnership with the Sunapee Harbor Riverway (SHRC) by virtue of a long-term lease, to secure the building’s future. The SHRC currently owns the building and is donating it to the Sunapee Heritage Alliance as part of the NBRC Grant.

From Patrick Clapp, President of SHRC:

“SHRC is pleased to donate “The Livery” to the SHA. Since 2015 SHA has successfully demonstrated its able stewardship while expanding the community and area usage of the facility. “The Livery” will be protected, preserved, and will continue to grow and expand its community focused programing. This is in keeping with the SHRC Mission “to preserve and enhance our lakeside village.”

From Barbara Sullivan, President and Chair of SHA:

“Our board is so very grateful to Northern Borders Regional Commission for the opportunity they have given us to make this major investment ensuring a successful repurposing of “The Livery”. This is a fulfillment of the “7 to Save “program of the NH Preservation Alliance, which recognized “The Livery” as an at-risk property in 2008 and through awareness supports the work of non-profits like the Sunapee Heritage Alliance to rescue irreplaceable architecturally historic treasures.”

SHA has selected Milestone Engineering & Construction of Concord, New Hampshire, which has extensive experience with historic projects, to work with the structural engineering firm of Schaal Engineering of Wilder Vermont and the geotechnical engineering firm of M&W Soils Engineering Inc. of Charlestown, New Hampshire. Design work is scheduled to start in December with construction work accomplished this
winter through next spring.

The mission of the Northern Borders Regional Commission is to catalyze regional, collaborative, and transformative community economic development approaches that alleviate economic distress and position the region for economic growth. This grant represents a major investment in the harbor and the resulting expansion of programming and community use will have a direct positive effect on the culture and economy of the surrounding Sullivan County and Greater Upper Valley communities.

Once the structural improvements are completed, SHA will facilitate the visioning and planning sessions necessary to finalize a successful business model that achieves the mission of the organization and contributes to the quality of life, prosperity, and sustainability of Sunapee’s harbor and the entire region.

www.thelivery.org
info@thelivery.org

First and foremost, we hope you are safe and finding ways to deal with these most unusual circumstances. We are moving forward with cautious optimism to hold activities in The Livery again. Prior to the quarantine, we had events planned for music lovers; families; kids; art lovers; crafters; photographers and more. Keep checking our website for up-to-date information.

For information about The Livery rentals and events CLICK HERE.

To learn more about the history of The Livery CLICK HERE. 

Looking forward to when we can be together again.…

Signed: The Board of Directors

With the New Year comes celebratory news, as ownership of The Livery at Sunapee Harbor has transferred, by way of a donation, from the Sunapee Harbor Riverway Corporation, to the nonprofit Sunapee Heritage Alliance.

Dear Friend of The Livery,

With the New Year comes celebratory news, as ownership of The Livery at Sunapee Harbor has transferred, by way of a donation, from the Sunapee Harbor Riverway Corporation, to the nonprofit Sunapee Heritage Alliance.

True to the Sunapee Heritage Alliance’s mission to engage in preservation, revitalization and protection of historic properties of architectural and cultural significance in our community, the Board of Directors visualized the opportunity to manage The Livery as their first cornerstone endeavor. Encouraged by the community’s enthusiasm and attendance at concert and art events, and the booking of civic and private events, the SHA Board of Directors pursued a plan addressing business and future structural needs.

Generous grant funding to make structural renovations adhering to current codes possible will begin this winter under the management of Milestone Engineering. All efforts are directed to making the shared ideas, hopes and dreams of the community be realized.

Through the years, this circa 1890 building, originally a horse stable, became an essential community asset, serving as town hall, police and fire station, performance hall, thrift shop and neighborhood meeting place. In recent decades, the building was recognized on the NH Registry of Historic Places and designated one of “Seven To Save” by the NH Preservation Alliance. The Livery will once again serve as a vital community hub.

The Sunapee Heritage Alliance Board of Directors is proud to be the new owner of The Livery and is most grateful to the Town of Sunapee and its citizens, and Sunapee Harbor Riverway Corporation for entrusting us with The Livery’s future and to Northern Borders Regional Commission for the awarding of grant monies that will ensure The Livery is saved. Their investment will enable us to bring new and exciting benefits to our town, Sullivan County and the greater Lake Sunapee Region through “Music~Arts~Community”!

Sincerely,

Barbara Sullivan, Chairman

The Sunapee Heritage Alliance Board of Directors

SHR is thrilled to be able to donate the Livery to the Sunapee Heritage Alliance. We look forward to the Livery building’s exciting future and watching it expand the Harbor area with new activity.

For close to thirty years, the Sunapee Harbor Riverway worked tirelessly to ensure our lakeside village’s preservation and enhancement for future generations of residents and visitors. The Livery building’s donation to the Sunapee Heritage Alliance is another step in SHR’s vision for the future.