Reserve awards grants

Ebey’s Reserve awarded over $62,000 of grants to 13 historic Central Whidbey properties.

By Karina Andrew • April 14, 2023 1:30 am

Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve awarded over $62,000 of Ebey’s Forever grants to fund preservation projects at 13 historic Central Whidbey properties.

Captain Whidbey Inn, Gillespie Meat Market and the Todd/Lovejoy House received grants for window rehabilitation; the A. Kineth House, the Engle Water Tower, the Hampton Gould House, the J. Gould House, the J. LeSourd House Granary, the Leach House Ice House and the Tuft-Terry Barn received grants for roof, gutter, foundation and wall projects; Fort Casey was granted $1,700 to clean and repaint two guns at Battery Trevor; and the RC Hill Home was awarded $10,000 for a porch restoration.

The Tyee Restaurant, known historically as Pat’s Place, received $7,040 for paint and siding repair. Tyee owner Alan Licht said the building has served as a community meeting place for over a century.

“We are thankful for the resources and help of Ebey’s Forever Grants that will help us to keep this old ‘beaut’ young and in good shape for another 100 years,” Licht said.

The Ebey’s Forever Grant program is funded through private donations to the Friends of Ebey’s, the nonprofit organization that fundraises for the reserve’s trust board.

Since its inception, the grant program has provided funding for more than 100 preservation projects on the reserve, including roof replacements and critical foundation repairs. Reserve manager Marie Shimada said the grant program highlights how important partnerships are for the success of the reserve.

She added that this was the grant program’s most competitive year yet.

“We know there can be disappointment when a grant cycle is this competitive, but we hope that fuels inspiration in community members to contribute to community preservation efforts,” Shimada said. “The Friends of Ebey’s have been good partners in their fundraising efforts, and the grant review committee took their task very seriously.”