The Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission’s monthly bulletin is now available. The information below can be found on this bulletin; to sign up for a monthly e-newsletter and stay updated by the RH-PCH’s work, click this link.
Historic Preservation CAMP 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).
They 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.
Prudent Stewardship
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!
Writer Grant and Fellowship Opportunities
There are many opportunities to secure funding for your preservation project:
- Rhode Island Matching Grants for Historic Preservation (letter of inquiry due 12/4/23)
- Save America’s Treasures Grants (application due 12/19/23)
- Champlin Capital Grants (app due 1/15/24)
- Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections (app due 1/12/24)
- Van Beuren Charitable Foundation Grants (app due 1/16/24)
- Landmarks of American History and Culture (app due 2/14/24)
More December updates can be found on their website.
