St. Johnsbury, Vermont – September 26, 2023 – Following the grand opening of the Caplan’s Building on August 10, 2023, Northern Express Care – St. Johnsbury was awarded a Preservation Grant to support the renovation of the iconic building. The Freeman Foundation, in partnership with the Preservation Trust of Vermont, has granted $50,000 to support the building’s remarkable historic preservation efforts. This recognition comes after the successful completion of the renovation, which maintained the original storefront facade and incorporated the building’s historic elements, including hardwood floors, vintage signage, and a captivating history wall in the reception area.
The recent renovation, assisted by the Preservation Grant, made possible by a partnership between the Freeman Foundation and the Preservation Trust of Vermont, has breathed new life into the Caplan’s Building. The meticulous preservation efforts have ensured the retention of its unique character while offering a modern, functional space.
“We are honored to have received this generous grant from the Freeman Foundation and Preservation Trust of Vermont,” said Chris Towne, Chief Operating Officer of Northern Counties Health Care. “This award underscores our commitment to preserving the historical fabric of St. Johnsbury while providing walk-in healthcare services.”
Northern Express Care – St. Johnsbury now calls the Caplan’s Building its home, marking a significant enhancement in healthcare accessibility for the local community. Additionally, the building is proud to host Catamount Arts as a temporary box office and downtown location for the Fried Family Gallery, ensuring access to artistic and creative experiences for the community.
The Freeman Foundation and Preservation Trust of Vermont’s support played a pivotal role in making this historic preservation effort a reality. Their dedication to preserving history and fostering community development is evident in the successful transformation of the Caplan’s Building.
The recent award acknowledges Northern Counties Health Care’s commitment to preserving the Caplan’s Building’s rich heritage and offering a vibrant space for both healthcare and the arts in St. Johnsbury.
About Northern Counties Health Care:
Northern Counties Health Care encompasses seven community health centers—including two walk-in primary care locations, three dental centers, and a certified home health care & hospice division providing a full spectrum of quality, affordable, and compassionate health care services to patients of all ages, throughout the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. For more information, visit www.nchcvt.org. NCHC is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $3,343,777 with 80% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.
Bingo Fundraiser Supports Hospice Program – August 2023
Thanks to community support and many happy Bingo players, this year’s Bingo fundraiser event held at the Caledonia County Fair successfully raised funds to support the Hospice Program at Caledonia Home Health Care & Hospice.
Fair goers who stopped to play at the Bingo tent had the chance to win cash and other prizes, including smart tvs, and donations from local businesses.
Thank you to Passumpsic Savings Bank, Community National Bank, Weidmann Electrical Technology, Inc, and Union Bank, VT & NH for their generous sponsorship of the event. They helped make it possible for all funds raised during Bingo to go directly towards the Hospice program. Additional sponsors include Maple Center Motors, Bean’s Mobile Homes, Graves Builders, Marty’s 1st Stop, Ruggco, Inc, Sanderson Wooden Bowls, Nick’s Gas N Go, NSN Northeast Sports Network, Stone Crest Properties, The Carpet Connection, Ville Auto Supply, NVRH and St. Johnsbury Elks Lodge # 1343.
It is through the generosity of our sponsors and community which support ours work to provide comfort, choice, hope, and connection to our hospice patients and their loved ones. This support makes it possible for our caring and compassionate providers to help families focus on what truly matters – their loved one’s needs and wishes.
Visit our Donation page to learn more about supporting the annual fund at Caledonia Home Health Care & Hospice by visiting https://www.nchcvt.org/support/donate-today/.
Northern Counties Health Care Announces Tenant for Caplan’s Building Commercial Space
St. Johnsbury, July 27, 2023 – Northern Counties Health Care (NCHC) is pleased to announce that Catamount Arts has been selected as a temporary co-tenant at the newly renovated Caplan’s Building, located at 457 Railroad Street in downtown St. Johnsbury. The Caplan’s Building, was acquired by NCHC in October 2021 after the closure of the beloved Caplan’s Army Store on December 31, 2020. The building has been recently renovated and will be the new location for Northern Express Care – St. Johnsbury. Northern Counties Health Care is excited to open its doors to support the arts community and create a hub for creativity and cultural engagement.
A committee comprising representatives from NCHC staff, board of directors, and the St. Johnsbury community spearheaded the selection process. The 800 sq/ft space within the Caplan’s Building was made available through a letter of interest solicitation process. Catamount Arts emerged as the top choice to occupy the space while their building is temporarily closed. Catamount Arts, an esteemed cultural institution in the Northeast Kingdom, has been instrumental in promoting arts, film, and education in the region for many years. This exciting opportunity to temporarily occupy the newly renovated space at the Caplan’s Building will allow Catamount Arts to maintain a downtown presence and support its mission of enriching the community with creative endeavors and cultural experiences.
“The Caplan’s Building will continue to serve our community, and we are excited to welcome Catamount Arts to share the space with us,” said Chris Towne, Chief Strategy Officer at Northern Counties Health Care. “There is more to a community’s health than health care services, and we are pleased to support Catamount Arts and promote the region’s creative economy by sharing this vibrant space.” The Caplan’s Building, with its rich history, now enters a new chapter as a space for community enrichment. Northern Counties Health Care is excited about the potential of this collaboration to strengthen community ties and offer residents of St. Johnsbury and the surrounding areas a space to experience the transformative power of art.
“We are grateful to Northern Counties Health Care for this wonderful opportunity,” said Catamount Arts Executive Director Jody Fried. “Being able to continue our programs and initiatives from this centrally located space will allow us to further our mission and continue positively impacting the lives of people in the Northeast Kingdom.”
An open house and ribbon cutting of the Caplan’s Building including Northern Express Care – St. Johnsbury and Catamount Arts’ temporary location is scheduled for August 10th at 2pm.
