Paul Bruhn Subgrant Program Makes Significant Impact in 2026
Marla Mills | October 22, 2026
As 2026 winds down, so is Missouri Main Street Connection’s (MMSC) Paul Bruhn Subgrant Program. Since MMSC started implementing the Paul Bruhn Subgrant Program through the National Park Service, ten projects have been completed across the state in eight Main Street communities. The grant distributed funds directly to property owners for exterior work on historic properties, ensuring the work was completed according to the Secretary of Interior Standards for the treatment of historic properties. In addition, it has made a significant impact in starting and continuing to preserve historic properties in our Main Street communities.
In 2026, six projects were completed, two projects are still in the construction or rehabilitation phase, and one is currently in the review phase with the National Park Service. Many of the projects funded through MMSC’s subgrant program have been roof replacement and masonry work, which both give new life and help old buildings remain sustainable into the future. As these projects are completed, we see impact through the start of a full building rehabilitation and the additional measures to protect a historic property from future deterioration.
The Colonial Hotel, Excelsior Springs
The Colonial Hotel completed a much-needed roof replacement along with a remarkable repair and rehabilitation of the building’s wooden porches and railing. These are the first steps in transforming this beautiful building into a small boutique hotel with additional work coming. This additional work includes interior renovation and exterior masonry and window repairs.
Success in the Paul Bruhn grant led to another partnership with MMSC for the Colonial Hotel in the hands-on learning workshop specifically focused on windows and masonry work presented by Bob Yapp in May as part of Preservation Month. With decades of preservation experience, Bob trains future preservation tradespeople through hands-on workshops and at his Belvedere School for Hands-On Preservation in Hannibal, Missouri. Owners of the hotel plan to do much of their rehabilitation themselves and this workshop taught them and several other historic property owners from the area the skills and preservation practices needed to appropriately rehab their buildings.
Glasscock Jewelry, Chillicothe
Glasscock Jewelry is located in an iconic corner building in Clinton. The owner was able to replace a number of crumbling, detailed columns encasing the windows across the side of the building, preserving fascinating architectural details.
The work was completed by first creating a mold of the original stone columns to fabricate new ones. The damaged columns were carefully removed and the new ones put into place. This required finding a way to support the window openings during the process. The result was stunning.
Overall Successes
 Four other projects that were completed this year include:
- The Bailey Building in Chillicothe completed much-needed roof replacement and masonry repointing.
- Star Theater in Warrensburg received a new roof.
- Willow Boutique in Pleasant Hill was able to address issues with its exterior brick wall, which previously was an interior wall of a now lost neighboring building.
- Venue on Brick in Ozark completed extensive masonry work
All this work was critical to the sustainability of these buildings. As a result of working through the grant, each property owner agreed to follow the Secretary of the Interior Standards on any future improvements or rehabilitation done within the five years following the completion of their project.
In addition, the process and presence of the subgrant program encouraged other property owners in these communities to be aware of their historic properties and to seek appropriate preservation practices. In some cases, it also provided the launch of a much more extensive future rehabilitation.
The Paul Bruhn Subgrant program has helped make 2026 a good preservation year on Main Street!
