A handful of historic building owners in Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve received a combined $56,000 in preservation grants this year.

Of the eight grant recipients, two are Front Street business owners, which Reserve staff hope add to the awareness of the Ebey’s Forever program.

John Rodriguey, owner of Toby’s Tavern and the original Whidbey Mercantile building, received a grant toward a facade restoration.

“I have an old photograph from about 1900,” Rodriguey said. “I’m trying to duplicate it as close as we can get it. There have been a lot of changes over the years.”

The project entails taking down all the old siding from the last 1955 remodel, adding an awning with supports and cleaning up the front.

Rodriguey says he’s been working with the town since about September and going through the permitting process.

He is scheduled to appear in front of the Historic Preservation Commission on Thursday, April 23.

“It’s a lot of work,” Rodriguey said. “We’re very, very thankful to the Friends of Ebey’s and the Trust Board.”

Once all approvals are in place, the project should take about a month to complete.

Rodriguey said the trick will be getting the work done without closing down.

The other Front Street business to receive a grant was Knead N Feed to restore storefront windows in its 1871 Sedge Building.

Sarah Steen, an employee with the Reserve, said 11 applications were received this year for the Ebey’s Forever Preservation Grant Program.

Applications are evaluated on nine criteria and given a score.

One of the things taken into consideration is the owner’s commitment to keeping the building up and the time and effort they are willing to invest.

Steen said the Reserve staff members like to have a range of projects from commercial spaces to private residents and even publicly owned buildings.

In previous years, the program has funded work at the Coupeville Wharf and also state park structures.

Other 2015 recipients include the Coupe House for window and siding restoration; the Holbrook Garage for eave and siding repair, re-roofing and drainage installation; the Keith Barn sill, siding and lower window repairs and installation of a ramp and roof flashing; The Geo. Libbey house for window repairs and porch entry restoration; window and siding restoration at the Nienhuis Long Barn; and roof work on the Watson House.

In its fifth year, the grant program has allocated more than $320,000 to help fund 45 individual projects, according to the Reserve. The grant money was raised locally.

“Ebey’s Landing Historical Reserve is all about the history of the people, their homes and their buildings,” said Paul Whelan, who served on the grant advisory board. “Ebey’s Forever Fund is keeping that history alive.”