Capital preservation grants on the ballot March 2
On March 2, Rhode Islanders will vote in a special election. A "yes" vote on Question 6 supports authorizing the issuance of $1 million in bonds for the State Preservation Grants program.
State Preservation Grants support the restoration, preservation, and adaptive reuse of public and nonprofit-owned museums, cultural art centers, and public historic sites. Since it was last funded in 2014, the program has invested more than $10 million in and created hundreds of jobs related to 57 projects at Rhode Island’s irreplaceable historic properties, like the 1691 Clemence-Irons House in Johnston (pictured).
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February's heritage happenings
RIHPHC's calendar of heritage events showcases Rhode Island's diverse communities:
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Tomaquag Museum hosts Indigenous Author Book Club - Hearts Unbroken (2/2 8pm)
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2020 RI Heritage Month's Virtual Celebration (2/5, 2/12,2/19,2/26 7pm)
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26th Annual Langston Hughes Community Poetry Reading (2/7, 1pm)
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Tomaquag's Indigenous Author Book Club - Two Old Women (2/9 8pm)
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Alliance Française of Providence's Inès Returns! Live from Paris - Opera District (2/13 11am)
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Alliance Francaise explores the regions of Québec (2/15 7pm)
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Turkish American Cultural Society of RI hosts TACSRI Talks with Serife Hathaway (2/16, 6pm)
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Tomaquag's Indigenous Author Book Club - Braiding Sweetgrass (2/16, 2/23, 3/2, 8pm)
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Intl Tennis Hall of Fame hosts Black History Month Virtual Lectures (2/17+24 7pm)
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RI Latino Arts hosts A Love Letter to Our Raíces - Perú (2/22, 5pm)
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Tomaquag presents a conversation with author Siobhan Senier (2/24, 6pm)
Have an upcoming event to share? Contact Donna Alqassar, Heritage Coordinator
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Et tu, YouTube
RIHPHC has launched a YouTube channel. To kick it off, each Friday in February, we will rebroadcast our 2020 RI Heritage Month’s Virtual Celebration. Please subscribe, and don’t forget to click on the bell to turn on notifications, so you don’t miss any new videos.
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Signs of the times
This spring, RIHPHC launched a plaque program to recognize properties listed in the State Register of Historic Places. That's our new plaque (the oval) on top. Encompassing nearly 20,000 historic and prehistoric resources, the State Register includes properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places as well as additional sites significant to Rhode Island’s heritage. These properties may be part of a historic district or individually listed. Since we debuted the program, a dozen plaques have been installed around the state, from Woonsocket to Hopkinton. Is your property listed in the State Register? Click here to learn more!
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Save the dates for our first-ever virtual preservation conference: Wednesday, April 21 - Friday, April 23, 2021. The program features two keynote talks, 12 breakout sessions, videos, virtual tours, and networking--as well as historic district training workshops. Follow us on social media for previews; registration opens in early March. www.preservationconferenceri.com
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Old State House restoration update
Some of January's highlights have included:
- installing new brownstone sills and backup masonry
- reinstalling restored windows--just a few left to go!
Up next: continuing brownstone restoration, installing new tower doors.
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Installed: new brownstone window sill
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A snowy morning on Benefit Street
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RIHPHC is hiring: Project Review Coordinator
The RIHPHC Senior Historic Preservation Specialist – Project Review Coordinator conducts/coordinates reviews and provides technical assistance to meet historic preservation requirements, protect historic resources, and assist Rhode Island projects to secure federal and state approval. Salary range (annual): $51K - $59K. To apply, visit governmentjobs.com.
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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).
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Rhode Island
Historical Preservation
& Heritage Commission
(401)222-2678
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