Preserve Rhode Island (Preserve RI), partnering for a fifth year with The 1772 Foundation, awarded one-for-one matching grants totaling $125,000 to 17 nonprofit organizations maintaining historic buildings in Rhode Island. The grants, ranging in amounts from $3,000 to $9,000, will help maintain important buildings in over 10 communities across the state. Grants were provided for roof replacements, exterior restoration, repainting, fire safety upgrades, and repointing. Since 2020, Preserve RI has overseen the allocation of over $600,000 in funding through this grant program.
“This unique grant program partners the vision of the 1772 Foundation with the expertise of statewide preservation organizations like Preserve RI, which has the ability both to select worthy projects and monitor their progress. Each of these projects enables these non-profits to continue to use these historic structures to benefit their communities,” said Valerie Talmage, Executive Director of Preserve Rhode Island
President of The 1772 Foundation Margaret Waldock, commenting on the importance of the matching grants, said, “These bricks and mortar grants across New England and Georgia prove that small investments can have transformational results. Our statewide partners continue to demonstrate the power of historic preservation in communities in seven states. We are in awe of their work and the work of the grantees saving these fascinating places.”
The 2024 Recipients include:
Administration Building, Friends of Island Cemetery (Newport) for a new Security and Fire Safety System.The Friends of Island Cemetery Administrative Building (c. 1905) was commissioned by the Island Cemetery Board of Trustees in 1901 and designed and built by Herbert Wilson, an architect local to early Newport. Friends of Island Cemetery recently completed a restoration of the Belmont Chapel on the cemetery grounds.
Aldrich House, Rhode Island Historical Society (Providence) for exterior repair and repainting. Built in 1822 by John Holden Green as a private residence, the building was presented to the Rhode Island Historical Society in 1974 and today is used as an exhibit and event space.
Babcock-Smith House Museum, Orlando R Smith Trust (Westerly) for exterior painting. Built in 1734 by Dr. Joshua Babcock, The Museum provides guided tours of the furnished colonial house, highlighting Dr. Babcock’s contribution to the town and state.
Clouds Hill Museum (Warwick) for porch restoration. Clouds Hill Museum (originally known as Cedar Hill), an 1872- 1877 transitional Gothic Revival Italianate home built by Providence architect William R. Walker for Rhode Island textile industrialist William Smith Slater.
Day One office building, Day One(Providence) for masonry repointing. Day One purchased the building in 2006 and rehabilitated it at a cost of nearly $1 million. This mid-century building sits just outside the Wayland Square Historic District and stands out for its “soft modernist” features.
Fair House, House of Hope Community Development Corporation (Warwick) for a conditions assessment. The Fair House was the home to the agricultural and domestic industry state fairs in the 1820s. The building was renovated in 2014-2016 with a small addition to allow House of Hope CDC to create more housing for unhoused and persons with mental health and medical challenges and low incomes.
Fleur De Lys Building, The Providence Art Club (Providence) for exterior repair and repainting. The 1885 Fleur de Lys Studios, designed to house artist studios by the Providence architect Edmund R. Willson for his friend the Rhode Island painter Sydney Richmond Burleigh. Following Burleigh’s death, the building was transferred to the Providence Art Club in 1939 and has been continuously used for artist studios.
Former Crompton Free Library, Pawtuxet Valley Preservation and Historical Society (West Warwick) for exterior repair and repainting. Built in 1876 the Crompton Free Library served as a learning center and social space for employees of the Crompton Mill Company, many of whom were recent immigrants. Since 1993, the former library has been the headquarters of the Pawtuxet Valley Preservation and Historical Society.
Grange Hall, Little Compton Community Center (Little Compton) for exterior repairs and repainting. This building is part of the Little Compton Commons Historic District. Built in 1894 as part of the nationwide Grange movement, the building was later demolished and reconstructed using mainly original materials.
Howland Barn,Hope Associates, Inc. (Hope) for a fire and security upgrade. The c. 1912 Howland Barn is listed in the Hope Village Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. It was originally part of the property owned by Miss Alice Howland, an important figure and benefactress of Hope Village.
Knight Dairy Barn, Southside Community Land Trust (Providence) for a conditions assessment. The Knight Dairy barn was built in 1895 by the Lewis S. Knight family to support their 100-acre dairy farm. The Knight dairy barn is owned by the Southside Community Land Trust, which will use these funds as a starting point for a long-term preservation regime.
Park Equipment Barn, Memorial and Library Association of Westerly/Westerly Library & Wilcox Park (Westerly) for exterior restoration. The Wilcox Park Gardening & Equipment Barn dates prior to 1907 when it was moved into the park from the nearby Moss family estate as the family stable and carriage shed. Today, there is office and storage space to support the surrounding park and arboretum, which hosts numerous events and programs.
Richardson-Waite House, ONE Neighborhood Builders (Providence) for exterior repair and repainting. Owned by ONE|NB, the former mansion provides 10 apartments to individuals/families earning less than 30-60% of the area’s median income.
Rhode Island Latino Arts (Central Falls) for rebuilding the back chimney. Built circa 1895 as a private residence and doctor’s office, The Adams Library purchased the property in 1996. Today, Rhode Island Latino Arts activates the building by hosting various programs, events, and artist meetups to support Latino arts, history, and cultural heritage.
Rose Island Lighthouse, Rose Island Lighthouse & Fort Hamilton Trust (Newport) for roof replacement of the cast iron roof of the lantern room. The Rose Island Light, built in 1870 on Rose Island, is one of a group of New England lighthouses built to an award-winning design by Vermont architect Albert Dow. In 1984, the Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation acquired a section of Rose Island to restore the property and give the public access to the lighthouse and the barracks of Fort Hamilton.
Tavern Hall aka Elisha Reynolds House, Tavern Hall Preservation Society (Kingstown) to replace upper asphalt shingles. Tavern Hall, built in 1738 by Elisha Reynolds, is one of the oldest continuously occupied buildings in the historic Village of Kingston – 286 years old. Since 1911, the space has been used to foster community with monthly lectures and events. Additionally, the upper floors supply six below-market apartments.
The Breakers Stable, The Preservation Society of Newport County (Newport) for fire alarm panel upgrade. Commissioned by Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt II and designed by Richard Morris Hunt stable in 1895. It is located a half mile from the Breakers, a Gilded Age mansion and National Historic Landmark. Today this site houses the Preservation Society’s collection of historic carriages.