Friends Of Bridges House Inc

FALL AND SPRING PROGRAMMING PLANNED TO INCLUDE THE ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING, ANNUAL HOLIDAY GATHERING AT THE BRIDGES HOUSE, SPRING LIBRARY EVENT, AND OTHER COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS BUT WERE HALTED DURING FY2022 (JULY 1, 2021 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2022) BECAUSE OF THE ONGOING COVID-19 PANDEMIC. HOWEVER, DURING THIS TIME, INVESTMENTS WERE MADE TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND ON THE ON-GOING HISTORIC PRESERVATION, STEWARDSHIP, AND UTILIZATION OF THE BRIDGES HOUSE. BOTH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS WERE MADE TO SUPPORT THESE EFFORTS. THESE IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDED COMPLETED RENOVATION OF THE GREAT ROOM, PIANO ROOM, OFFICE, WHICH WAS STARTED IN 2019 INCLUDING REUPHOLSTERING OF FURNITURE, ADDITION OF NEW TABLES AND FURNISHINGS, AND NEW WINDOW TREATMENTS. IN ADDITION THE IMPROVEMENTS MADE TO THE INSIDE OF THE HOUSE, THE BRIDGES HOUSE BOARD BEGAN A NEW INITIATIVE LEAD BY FIRST LADY VALERIE SUNUNU, TO IMPROVE AND PRESERVE THE BRIDGES HOUSE GARDEN BY CREATING AN OUTDOOR GATHERING SPACE. THE GARDEN WAS A COLLABORATION WITH THE FRIENDS OF THE BRIDGES HOUSE, THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, THE UNH COOPERATIVE EXTENSION MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM, THE NHTI LANDSCAPE AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN PROGRAM, AND SEVERAL AMAZING SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS. THROUGH THE UNIVERSITIES OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AND MAINE, THE GARDEN IS CERTIFIED AS A CERTIFIED POLLINATOR-FRIENDLY GARDEN, IN ADDITION TO A CERTIFIED MONARCH WATCH GARDEN, AND AS A POLLINATOR PATHWAY. THIS GARDEN IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE ON-GOING HISTORIC PRESERVATION, STEWARDSHIP, AND UTILIZATION OF THE BRIDGES HOUSE, AS WELL AS A PLACE WHERE FUTURE GENERATIONS CAN RELIVE THE PAST, DISCOVER HISTORY, AND EXPERIENCE NEW HAMPSHIRE'S RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE.