01/29/2013
The Citizens Bank Foundation leads year-end giving for Paul Revere House Education Center Campaign
Grant to support construction on Education Center’s Visitor Enrichment Room
BOSTON (January 29, 2013) – The Paul Revere Memorial Association today announced several major donations to its Capital Campaign, including a $30,000 grant from the Citizens Bank Foundation.
“Citizens Bank has been a key supporter for many years,” said Association Executive Director Nina Zannieri. “We are very happy to have its partnership for this transformative capital campaign. The funds will support the build-out of the Visitor Enrichment Room on the second floor of the Education Center. Citizens Bank has also provided generous grants toward free programs for Boston Public School students.”
The Association has been raising funds and working on a phased construction effort to rehabilitate an abutting 1835 two-family structure into an Education and Visitor Center to serve the 250,000 visitors who come to the Paul Revere House annually. The new facility will greatly expand programs’ space, allow for public restrooms, a museum shop and gathering spaces for school groups and general visitors. The project will also make the historic complex handicapped accessible, a move that has long been an institutional goal.
“The Paul Revere Memorial Association is an outstanding community partner for its exceptional work in preserving such a critical part of Boston’s unique history and delivering the story – the home – of Paul Revere to all of its visitors,” said Vice Chairman and Head of Commercial Banking Robert Matthews, who also serves on the Association’s Board of Directors. “The new facility will provide enhanced learning opportunities and spaces for school groups and accessibility for all, allowing even more people to experience this historic treasure each year.”
The Association has also recently received a grant of $25,800 from the George B. Henderson Foundation to assist with the restoration of two 19th century interior stairways. In addition, a grant of $25,000 from The Harold Whitworth Pierce Charitable Trust will help fund handicapped access. So far, the Association has raised just under $3.2 million of its $4 million capital campaign goal.
The exterior of the building was stabilized and restored in 2010 and the plan is to begin interior work in 2013.
The Paul Revere House is owned and operated by the Paul Revere Memorial Association. On the Freedom Trail in Boston’s historic North End, the Revere House was home to the patriot and silversmith Paul Revere from 1770-1800. Built around 1680, the home is the oldest building in downtown Boston.
With an expanded facility, the Paul Revere Memorial Association will have the ability to deliver a richer, more welcoming and interactive experience to all visitors. This project will also help ensure that the new Paul Revere House is fullly handicapped accessible.
Schoolchildren and teachers will also benefit from expanded learning opportunities made available in new program rooms and spaces. The space will encourage all visitors to examine the importance of Revere's career as an artisan, industrialist and early entrepreneur.
For more information, visit www.paulreverehouse.org
About the Citizens Bank Foundation
Citizens Bank Foundation is a subsidiary of the Citizens Charitable Foundation, which is a charitable contributions vehicle of RBS Citizens Financial Group, Inc., RBS Citizens, N.A. and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania. The foundation’s support is focused on human services, affordable housing and economic development. RBSCFG’s website is citizensbank.com.
