Webster celebrates preservation grant for local National Audubon Society

AUDUBON, Sept. 16 – State Rep. Joe Webster, D-Montgomery, announced today a $29,201 museum preservation grant for the National Audubon Society located in Lower Providence Township.

Part of $20 million in statewide relief funding for cultural organizations and museums to offset lost revenue caused by COVID-19, the Cultural and Museum Preservation grant will help the museum overcome nearly $200,000 in lost revenue caused by coronavirus shutdowns.

“Whether informing, delighting or inspiring interest in birds, conservation, nature or art, the legacy of Audubon must be preserved,” Webster said. “There are so many businesses and organizations struggling right now because of the pandemic, and I am striving to assist as many as possible through whatever means necessary. Our collective and continued recovery must include arts, culture and history, and I’m thoroughly grateful the National Audubon Society was recognized for its importance in our community.”

The Commonwealth Financing Authority approved the grant, and the program will be administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development.

“We are very grateful to the commonwealth for this significant grant to support the John James Audubon Center during these unprecedented times,” said Jean Bochnowski, Audubon’s deputy state director of centers and operations. “These funds will help make up for the thousands of dollars lost during COVID-19-related closures and will ensure that we can maintain this important cultural asset and site for people and for birds, as we look forward to reopening our doors to the public.”

Under the program, funds may be used to offset lost revenue for eligible cultural organizations and museums that were subject to closure by the proclamation of disaster emergency issued by the Governor on March 6, 2020, and any renewal of the state of disaster emergency and that experienced a loss of revenue related to the closure. Funds cannot be used to offset revenue, which has already been offset from other sources, including philanthropic and federal, state and local government sources.

More information about this funding is available by contacting Webster’s office at 484-200-8263.