DAR House QandA.pdf
Denise Kindschi Gosselin
Regent
Betty Allen Chapter DAR
To Sarah LaValley and Northampton Preservation Committee:
1. This grant is for electrical work only but there seems to be a considerable amount of
other restoration work necessary as well. Electrical work seems to be the top priority, is
that correct? Is there a plan to undertake the additional restoration work as well?
This grant request is for electrical work only. Removing and replacing the antiqued knob and
tube wiring and bringing the building up to current code is a top priority among the projects
identified for restoration. Identified though conversations with contractors and inspections, the
electric system restoration is not cosmetic, but urgently necessary.
Additional restoration is planned but takes a back seat to the electrical upgrade project.
MassSave has conducted a recent energy audit and site visit. The building has been inspected
for energy efficiency and safety. We are waiting for a contractor to pull permits to replace up to
7 windows in the non-historical side of the building which are identified as having safety
considerations. Additional insulation and window replacements are planned. These projects will
continue over time, after the building is certified knob and tube free. Applying for grants and
conducting fundraising will continue to occur for these projects.
The Betty Allen DAR are committed to renovate and restore the “Clapp House” as needed, it is
an ongoing strategy for a building of this age! Over the years we have diligently keep the house
in good repair and will continue to do so as part of our mission.
2. Why is there only one bid on the electrical work?
The Chapter began discussions on the restoration of the Clapp House two years ago. We
immediately began writing grant, fundraising, and seeking community support avenues to fund
this administrations’ project goals. Bids were sought on these three top projects: electrical,
windows, and insulation.
The submitted bid from Electrial Experts for $62,1767.25 was received and deemed to be a
reasonable cost for the entire electrical project update. Subsequently, the Smith Vocational High
School Electrical Department became interested in taking on the knob and tube replacement as
a student project for the January 2023 school year. Having received a verbal commitment from
the school, this grant proposal would have been submitted to partially cover the project costs.
However, this verbal commitment fell through one week prior to the deadline for submitting this
grant application. Due to student concerns, including Covid restrictions, commitment for a
January project from the school was withdrawn. No other grants applications for this project are
pending or viable at this time.
3. Does the national DAR organization not provide funding/support for these kinds of
infrastructure projects?
The Betty Allen DAR is a 501c(3) nonprofit service organization with the simple mission of
promoting historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Yes, the national DAR organization
provides support but does not guarantee funding for infrastructure projects. Each Chapter of the
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is financially independent from both National and
State organizations, like a franchise structure.
The Betty Allen Chapter submitted a grant application in 2021 to DAR for the electrical upgrades.
The application was rejected with a note that they specifically did not fund electrical upgrading
projects for chapter houses. We intend to submit future grant applications for the window
project and insulation. These grants are highly competitive with only 5 per year put aside for
restoration of chapter houses nationwide, however.
4. The current request to CPC is to fund 100% of the project. We look favorably when an
organization’s membership supplies at least some of the project funds. Has DAR done any
fundraising for this project?
The current request is to fund 100% of the project bid, which we suspect will not fully cover all
associated costs due to inflation. We understand that it may be necessary to reallocate our
project funding since the cost might have increased since this bid was obtained, and we are
prepared to do so.
From fundraising and savings over the last two years the chapter has allocated $32,000 which
resides in a dedicated “Legacy Bank Account” named so to keep our legacy of the Betty Allen
“Clapp” House solid. Much of these funds are donations specific to window upgrades, some is
available to cover overages to the requested grant money for the electrical upgrading. Our
budget committee has allocated $5,000 to replace the most necessary windows that were
identified as safety and energy concerns, this project will begin soon. The Chapter applied for
and received a $1,000 Community Grant from the Florence Savings Bank in 2022.
While applying for the full amount of the reasonable bid from Electrial Experts of $62,1767.25
the Chapter is prepared to cover the inflationary costs, if any. Future projects will be delayed
while additional funding sources are sought from other avenues. The electrical upgrades is part
of a multi-year goal – and it is the first priority.
5. Can you talk about some of the educational programs that go on at the Clapp house. Is
there a schedule of upcoming events?
The Betty Allen DAR has an ongoing schedule of education service to the Pioneer Vally with a
long history of supporting Western Massachusetts educators and students. We annually sponsor
an “Outstanding Teacher of American History Contest.” Our 2021 winner, Ms. Kelly R. Brown is a
teacher from Easthampton High School. She was chosen after we learned of her advanced
placement course which promotes civic competence and responsibility among secondary
students. We heard statements from her students and found that the course is so well-regarded
that many former students return after graduation to mentor current students attending the
class. We entered Ms. Brown in the state DAR competition, and she won! We entered Ms. Brown
into the National DAR competition, and she won! On June 30, 2022, Ms. Brown received the
National DAR award and recognition at Constitution Hall in Washington D.C. as the national
Outstanding Teacher of American History. The Betty Allen DAR promoted and financially
supported Ms. Brown for these competitions and travel.
The Betty Allen DAR also provides annual “Good Citizen” merit scholarships for students in
Western Mass through competitive essays and student presentations. Our scholarship program
is well known in the valley and has been ongoing since we set up headquarters in Northampton
in 1926. We offer educational resources to local schools during Constitution week, including
speakers and teaching materials. The Mayor of Northampton was among a number of local
officials who signed proclamations recognizing Constitution Week this year and for past years.
We have partnered with the VA in Northampton to donate needed clothing, bedding, and
toiletries for homeless and returning veterans. Through the Mary Lyons Foundation partnership,
we collect and donate hats and scarves for elementary school children and are active in a recent
campaign collecting infant clothing, diapers, and blankets which are distributed through local
Hospitals to needy mothers. Our members perform volunteer services at historical societies, non-
profit organizations and engage in conservation projects.
The house is open to the public every month, generally on the 3rd Tuesday at 7 PM and by
appointment. During fundraising events we provide tours of the house and invite historical
experts in for speaking engagements. The next “special event” to which will be posted on our
FaceBook is the Holiday Celebration on December 11. We look forward to hosting town officials,
historic society representatives and the public.
6. Why do you need this building to operate out of?
Technically, we don’t need the building and yes, we can meet anywhere. However, the Clapp
House needs the Betty Allen DAR! We purchased the home in 1926 and are dedicated to its
historic preservation as part of our mission.
The Betty Allen DAR is a 501c(3) nonprofit service organization with the simple mission of
promoting historic preservation, education, and patriotism. We accomplish these through
support of historic property and local cemetery preservation, youth education, and we work
closely with veteran’s services and other non-profit organizations to support underserved and
underprivileged populations.
We appreciate consideration for this grant request.
Denise
Denise Kindschi Gosselin, Ph.D. Regent, Betty Allen Chapter
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148 South Street Northampton, MA 01060
BettyAllen1753@gmail.com
(413) 320-7576
148 South Street, Northampton, MA 01060 (413) 320-7576 BettyAllen1753@gmail.com