Keith Stokes joins State Review Board
|
|
Keith is a graduate of Cornell University with a B.S. in Public Policy and an M.A. in Policy from the University of Chicago. He was recently appointed Business and Development Director for the City of Providence. Keith brings his expertise on historic preservation, economic development, and African heritage to his new role with the RIHPHC.
|
|
Outside/Inside the Old State House
|
|
|
The final touches are complete on the exterior restoration of the Old State House! The front doors have been reinstalled, facing the Parade, and the masonry work is finished.
On to the interior! RIHPHC was awarded a $500,000 grant for accessibility upgrades at the Old State House from the Save America’s Treasures program, funded by the Historic Preservation Fund, and administered by the National Park Service, Department of Interior. Project activities will include a new elevator, accessible bathrooms, code upgrades, and restoration of interior finishes. When the project is complete, the Old State House will once again be available for public meetings and events.
|
|
Beaver River Road Historic District listed in National Register
|
|
Rhode Island's newest National Register listing is the Beaver River Road Historic District, a cluster of historic farmsteads in Richmond recognized for its architectural and agricultural significance. The district's three farms transitioned from 19th-century subsistence agriculture to 20th-century market farms. Together, the vernacular dwellings, agricultural outbuildings, fields, and landscape features form a compelling cultural landscape. See the nomination for more details .
|
|
Jamesford Farmhouse (ca. 1800)
|
|
State Leaders launch RI250 Commission
|
|
On October 13, Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea (Chair) and RIHPHC Interim Executive Director Jeffrey D. Emidy (Vice Chair) convened the inaugural meeting of the Rhode Island Semiquincentennial (RI 250th) Commission at the Varnum Memorial Armory in East Greenwich. The goals of the RI 250th Commission are to promote Rhode Island's unique role in the American Revolution, increase civic engagement across the state, and stimulate the local economy through tourism opportunities. We will continue to share updates from this new commission.
|
|
Planning for Preservation
|
|
Thank you to all who presented and participated in Rhode Island Archaeology Month. The “Walking Through Time: The 500-Year History of the URI Campus” drew a crowd for a thought-provoking panel discussion and tour. The “Archaeology Discovery Walk of Providence’s Snowtown and Great Point” (pictured) envisioned underrecognized 19th-century cultural landscapes. “Exceeding great paines in their fishing”: Narragansett Indian Fishing Practices, Techniques, and Tradition” presented on local Native American fishing as revealed through archaeological inquiry. And there's still time to view "There's nothing of their house but the ruined foundation": History and Archaeology at the Manton Farm Property" online.
|
|
- Underrepresented Communities Grant Program (applications due 1/11/22)
- Save America's Treasures grant program (due 12/14/21)
- History of Equal Rights Grant Program (new this year! due 1/11/21)
- African American Civil Rights Grant Program (due 12/1/21)
|
|
Request for Proposals: RI Preservation Conference Project
|
|
In a typical year, planning the Rhode Island Historic Preservation Conference gets underway immediately after the last speaker says "Thank you!" Given uncertainties about convening an in-person event, RIHPHC is planning a new project to take stock of the Conference, review national/state/local preservation programming, and develop a roadmap for future events. We are exploring possibilities for an alternative event in April or May 2022.
|
|
November's Heritage Happenings
|
|
If you didn't follow us on social media last month, you missed...
|
|
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.
For the latest information about COVID-19, please visit covid.ri.gov.
|
|
|
Rhode Island
Historical Preservation
& Heritage Commission
(401)222-2678
|
|
|
|
|
|
|