ANDOVER, Mass. — The Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts organization is seeking applicants for the 2023 edition of its grant programs, the H. Albert Webb Memorial Railroad Preservation Award and the Mass Bay RRE Railroad Preservation Fund.
Applications and instructions for the awards are available here.
The H. Albert Webb Award is an annual grant of $10,000 to assist in the preservation of New England railroad history, open to nonprofit, 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt organizations that preserve historically equipment, structures, or information from New England Railroads, whether or not those organizations are based in New England. A committee appointed by the Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts conducts the selection process and makes a final recommendation to Leigh Webb, the son of the late H. Albert Webb and donor of the award, who makes the final selection.
The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad & Museum was the 2022 recipient. It will use the funds to begin restoration of Bridgton & Saco River Railroad coach No. 15, Pondicherry.
More information about the H. Albert Webb Award is available here.
The Mass Bay RRE Railroad Preservation Fund awards grants generally not exceeding $5,000, funded by club funds and donation to the fund by members. It designates its largest annual grant or grants as the Ralph S. Hawkins Memorial Railroad Preservation Grant, to honor its friend and supporter who died suddenly in 2018;.
Since its inception in 2016, the preservation fund has awarded grants totaling $127,000 to help preserve New England railroad equipment, structures, and artifacts. Details on the 2022 awards and more information on the grants are available here; to donate to the fund, visit this page on the organization website.
