RIHPHC Bulletin

Shanna Vecchio-Schubert has joined the RIHPHC staff as the Assistant Administrator, Financial Management. 

A graduate of the University of Rhode Island (B.S. in Applied Economics), Shanna has extensive experience in Rhode Island State government, having worked in financial administration at the Department of Corrections and having served as a legislative fiscal analyst for the Senate Finance committee. 

At RIHPHC her responsibilities include managing departmental funds and planning and administering the departmental budget. Welcome, Shanna!

Governor Daniel J. McKee has selected Jeffrey Emidy to serve as Rhode Island State Historic Preservation Officer. And Jeff has selected Joanna Doherty to serve as Rhode Island Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer.

What is a State Historic Preservation Officer? The SHPO is "the appointed official. . .responsible for helping to save the places that matter. Whether it is guiding citizens through the process of listing important historic resources or neighborhoods on the National Register of Historic Places, or considering the impact of large renewable energy projects on historic landscapes or archaeological sites, your SHPO is your partner in preservation," according to the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers.

Trainer Amber Stimpson leading a CAMP session in Warwick

This October, dozens of Rhode Island Historic District Commission members and staff, as well as RIHPHC and Statewide Planning staff went to CAMP in Warwick. The Commission Assistance and Mentoring Program (CAMP) was presented by preservation planners Amber Stimpson and Chris Skelly on behalf of the National Association of Preservation Commissions (NAPC).

We met in Warwick’s Sawtooth Building—also known as the Apponaug Mill—for presentations on Preservation Planning, Alternative Materials, Secretary’s Standards and Local Guidelines, Public Outreach and Community Engagement, the Role of the Commissioner, and Violations and Enforcement.

Attendees were engaged and inspired—and they fulfilled their new 3-hour training requirement for members of municipal land use boards. Thanks to our partners at Rhode Island Statewide Planning, NAPC, and the City of Warwick.

RIHPHC staff members Roberta Randall and Elizabeth Totten recently inspected the Sandy Point Lighthouse, which has been transferred from federal ownership to the Prudence Conservancy. This non-profit organization has managed the lighthouse in conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard since 2001. The Conservancy plans to clean the lighthouse to remove biological growth and staining in anticipation of opening the building for tours led by the Prudence Island Historical & Preservation Society next summer. 

The oldest extant lighthouse in Rhode Island, Sandy Point Lighthouse was constructed in 1823 in Newport Harbor and moved to Prudence Island in 1851. This two-story, tapered octagonal lighthouse is constructed of smoothly-faced granite blocks painted white and is capped by a rare “bird cage” lantern. The interior features a cut granite winder stair leading to the cast-iron balcony.  

Three cheers for this historic lighthouse as it begins its third century!

Lincoln State Police Barracks (1931)

• Tomaquag Museum hosts Nikommo (12/2)
• St. Andrew's Society of RI hosts Christmas Ceilidh (12/2)
• Oasis International African Center hosts RI Annual Gala (12/2)
• Alliance Française de Providence hosts a Holiday Party (12/3)
• Alliance Française de Providence hosts Immersion Weekend (12/8-10)
• Tomaquag Museum hosts a Story Time (12/9)
• Rhode Island Swedish Heritage Association hosts Lucia Fest (12/9)

Have an upcoming event to share? Contact Donna Alqassar, Heritage Coordinator. For the latest listings, follow @rihphc_heritage on Instagram.

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.