Windham Foundation History

The Windham Foundation is a not-for-profit organization located in Grafton, Vermont. The Foundation was established in 1963 with a three-fold purpose: to restore buildings and economic vitality in the village of Grafton; to provide financial support for education and private charities; and to develop projects that will benefit the general welfare of Vermont and Vermonters.

Funding for the Windham Foundation came from Mr. Dean Mathey, a prominent investment banker from Princeton, New Jersey, with long family ties to Grafton. He was a partner in the investment firm, Dillon, Read & Company, Chairman of the Board of Empire Trust Company, Honorary Chairman of the Board of the Bank of New York, and a Princeton University Trustee. After overseeing the early years of the Windham Foundation, Mr. Mathey died in 1972, leaving his residual estate to the continuation of the Foundation’s work.

The first President of the Windham Foundation was Mat Hall, Mr. Mathey's cousin. He, along with his wife, Lib, oversaw many of the early efforts of the Windham Foundation, especially its restoration of The Old Tavern in 1964. A year later, the Windham Foundation revived the Grafton Village Cheese Company, which once existed as a local cooperative for dairy farmers. The coop burned down in 1912. Today, The Old Tavern and the Grafton Village Cheese Co are hallmarks of Grafton and are leaders in their respective industries and the Foundation is led by Dr. John Bramley, who serves as President and CEO.