RIHPHC Bulletin
RIHPHC announces grants to support local preservation efforts

RIHPHC will award eight Certified Local Government (CLG) grants to support local preservation programs in:

  • BRISTOL: $7000 to inventory/assess historic and cultural resources in the historic district that are potentially threatened by sea level rise/storm surge (Image from STORMTOOLS depicts how 10 feet of sea level rise could impact Bristol's historic waterfront).

  • CRANSTON: $9000 to update the historic resources inventory and to report on preservation priorities, goals, and objectives for the Comprehensive Plan update.

  • CUMBERLAND: $10,000 to identify improvements to the town-owned Old Post Office, and to formulate goals for its redevelopment.

  • NORTH SMITHFIELD: $5000 to survey/research a potential National Register Historic District on Grange Road.

  • PROVIDENCE/Neutaconkanut Hill Conservancy: $9000 to research/evaluate the park's eligibility for National Register listing.

  • PROVIDENCE/Providence Preservation Society: $8500 to diversify the Online Guide to Providence Architecture.

  • WARWICK: $7000 to design/print/mail the Historic Property Owner’s Guide.

  • Reserve: $10,000 for R.I.'s 36th Historic Preservation Conference in 2022.

Look for applications for the next round of CLG grants in fall 2021.
May is Preservation Month: Why Old Places Matter on May 13

RIHPHC Executive Director J. Paul Loether will participate in a free virtual program hosted by Touro Synagogue Foundation on May 13, 2021 at 7pm.

Thompson M. Mayes of the National Trust for Historic Preservation will discuss his book, Why Old Places Matter: How Historic Places Affect Our Identity and Well-Being. Afterwards he will join in conversation with Paul, Val Talmage (Preserve Rhode Island), and Alyssa Lozupone (Newport Restoration Foundation) on Newport’s commitment to historic preservation, focused on the neighborhood surrounding historic Touro Synagogue. 
 
Reservations are required. Click here to register.
Come Back to the Future wrap-up
RIHPHC welcomed more than 400 participants from 14 states, Washington D.C., and Paris, France to Come Back to the Future for Rhode Island's 35th historic preservation conference.
Keynote speakers George Smart (USModernist) and Kofi Boone, FASLA (NC State University) were absolutely inspiring. Sharing a few words from Kofi's talk:

I was very excited to hear about your conference theme this year, and it reminded me of my time teaching an international design studio in Ghana, West Africa. Ghana--the home of many things that are tied to African American Black culture, one of them is Adinkra stamps and one of the stamped cloths that’s used particularly in ceremonies in Ghana. And one of those Adinkra symbols is called 'Sankofa,' which literally translates in Akan language as 'Go back and fetch it,' but it’s better known as 'You can’t know your future unless you know your past.'"
May's heritage happenings

RIHPHC's calendar of heritage events showcases Rhode Island's diverse communities:
 
 
Have an upcoming event to share? Contact Donna Alqassar, Heritage Coordinator
For the latest listings, follow @rihphc_heritage on Instagram
RIHPHC at work

The R.I. Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission office is open with limited staffing during weekday business hours (9am - 4pm). Many staff members are teleworking and accessible by email. Public access is limited to deliveries and pickups. Please use the doorbell at the Benefit Street entrance (with your elbow).

For the latest information about COVID-19, please visit the RI Department of Health website.
Rhode Island
Historical Preservation
& Heritage Commission

(401)222-2678