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June 27, 2024
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE:
It’s been an amazing year of growth in funding, projects, membership, and people.
I have exciting news. We recently received a RI Humanities THRIVE grant that will transform our 3 analog, paper-based walking tour brochures of Irish Newport into the digital age. Under Mike Slein’s direction, we will work with a consulting firm to make our tours available online. The Newport Irish story will become more widely available.
We also received a grant from the RITBA Foundation to support our lecture series so we can continue to offer high quality and entertaining lectures to our members and the community.
I hope you feel that your Board is very engaged. The board feels our members are amazingly supportive. It seems that at every opportunity our members are there.
Our vision for this year is to start the creation of a virtual museum. Parallel to the effort to digitize our archives is the development of a public interface to allow access to the archival information. The design of an interactive display using current technology and software will provide the ability to inquire and do research into our archival materials. With the implementation of these technologies and systems, The Museum of Newport Irish History will be taking the first step in creating a virtual museum for our members and the public. In this pursuit we have applied for grant monies to support his effort – one from the Irish Consulate in Boston. We’ll hear soon if we get the grant.
Our membership benefits continue by offering the lecture series, maintaining the Barney Street Cemetery, keeping the website current, and supporting all the activities during March (Irish Heritage Month), and of course operating the Interpretive Center!
As I said for the last two years, the Museum of Newport Irish History is strong in its membership, financial position, and offerings.
There are so many stories to be told. We want to facilitate the understanding of the Newport Irish experience, telling the stories of the Irish immigrants and their descendants.
I again ask you to please
· visit the Interpretive Center
· continue to support the lecture series
· enjoy the Barney Street Cemetery
· take a look at our website
and maybe volunteer as a docent, cemetery worker, or even a committee member!
Below are highlights presented at our Annual Meeting. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me.
Sláinte,
Deanna
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