Reading Community Trust Acquires Historic Grange with Funding Linked to Former Senator Patrick Leahy's Office
The Reading Community Trust (RCT) has announced the purchase of the nearly 140-year-old Reading Grange in Felchville, Vermont, marking the commencement of its first town restoration and economic revitalization project. The RCT, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization formed in June 2024, aims to strengthen the social, cultural, and economic vitality of Reading through community-driven initiatives. The acquisition of the Reading Grange, located at 726 Route 106, is a key step in this effort. The project is supported by a $300,000 grant from the Village Trust Initiative (VTI), which was established in 2023 with funding made possible through a $10 million Congressionally Directed Spending award from former Senator Patrick Leahy’s office. This grant is specifically for restoration work and could not be used for the purchase itself, which was covered by privately raised funds, including contributions from all eight RCT board members. The Reading Grange, originally built in 1893, has a history of serving as a communi... 
