THE STATEWIDE ADVOCATE FOR HISTORIC PLACES
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Protecting Paradise
Middletown, RI
Construction in progress along Third Beach Road and Indian Avenue.
Since the 18th century, an area in Middletown has been known as “Paradise Valley”, nationally recognized for its history, beauty and wildlife. The Scenic Aquidneck Coalition, led by Preserve Rhode Island, The Preservation Society of Newport County and the Aquidneck Land Trust, is sponsoring a project to put the utility lines underground. Inspired by our acclaimed utility burial project at Second Beach and Sachuest Point in 2017, the Coalition has come together again for the Scenic Third Beach Project.
The work involves removing 77 utility poles and burying electric and telephone lines along a 1.2 mile stretch of roadway. The benefit of the project goes beyond enhancing scenic views and restoring the historic landscape: the area will gain new resiliency in hurricanes and coastal storms with their accompanying flooding.

A private fundraising campaign resulted in generous philanthropic support, including a grant from the van Beuren Charitable Foundation. All but $30,000 of the $3.811 Million total cost has been secured. 

You, too, could be a part of creating a lasting legacy for generations to come, to enjoy one of Rhode Island’s most special places. Please consider helping us put the fundraising campaign over the top.
Get “CPR” for Your Ailing or Threatened Historic Place
Are you worried about protecting a historic family property or know of a local landmark that needs serious attention before it gets beyond saving? Preserve RI can help! Call on our Community Preservation Response (CPR) team. 

We stand ready to advocate for historic places, public and private. Each place has its own unique issues and problems. Our CPR teams bring together the right blend of experience to analyze the challenges a property faces and come up with workable solutions to protect and save it.
Our updated CPR website offers expanded resources. 
We’ve just updated our CPR website with more hands-on guidance you can use to meet preservation challenges. For your own property or a historic site in your community, these new CPR web pages cover common inquiries, including:
In addition, you’ll find a comprehensive list of resources for addressing other preservation issues. Please visit our website at Community Preservation Response Program to find out more about specific ways we can help, to contact us, and to follow CPR in action around the state. 
Volunteers Learn the Craft of Stone Wall Building
Portsmouth, RI
Volunteers learn to take a slumping and falling down pile of rocks...
...and turn it into 63 feet of restored stone wall. (See the challenge that lies ahead in the background.)
On July 27th, a group of enthusiastic volunteers learned the art of repairing stone walls as the newest recruits to join the Aquidneck Stone Wall Initiative. Roads at Glen Farm are lined with tumbled-down historic stone walls. The Initiative’s mission is to restore these scenic treasures for us to enjoy today.

Despite a very hot day, perfect shade allowed volunteers to repair 63 feet of wall during the training session. From now until the end of August, over 20 volunteers will join stone mason Robert Faraone, ready to tackle as much wall at Glen Farm as possible. The program has proven to be popular, and we are look forward to welcoming more volunteers for the fall session at  Norman Bird Sanctuary. Want to try your hand at stone wall rebuilding this fall? Reach out to ddunn@newportmansions.org for information about volunteering.

The Aquidneck Stone Wall Initiative is a partnership between Preserve RI and the Preservation Society of Newport County that is funded by a grant from the van Beuren Charitable Foundation.
2020 Rhody Awards Go Virtual!
RI State House, House Chamber, Providence RI
Josh Edenbaum Photography
2020 Rhody Awards for Historic Preservation
Sunday, November 15 at 6 PM
Rhode Island State House
Broadcast via Capitol TV

With a record number of nominations, this year's awards ceremony will be the most competitive yet. Tune in to see the results of the 2020 competition. Learn who won. What projects earned honors. While this year’s award ceremony will be virtual, we’re working on a variety of ways to celebrate. The only thing usual about this event is that, as always, it’s the don’t-miss event on the Fall calendar. Stay tuned!

Support historic preservation by becoming a Rhody Award sponsor!
Lippitt House Reopens for Private Outdoor Tours -
FREE During the Month of August!
Providence, RI
Visit Lippitt House Museum for a private outdoor tour experience! This new tour explores how design impacted house operations and the various ways the building was used by the Lippitt family, guests and servants. While conducted primarily outdoors there is an opportunity for a brief visit inside the Museum to see the interior spaces when the tour concludes. 

Guests and staff must wear face coverings and practice social distancing.

Advanced registration with ticket purchase is required. Please be sure to check the "Know Before You Go" section for more safety guidelines and specifics. 
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July 25 Paul R. Campbell
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