April 2009 Update

Walker House is a home again! 

In the fall of 2007, new PRI Executive Director Valerie Talmage suggested that the Philip Walker House be used for staff housing - an idea intended to provide an interim use to the idle property and initiate a long term investment with an identifiable source of income.  Property Committee discussions resulted in a year-long capital project, beginning in February 2008 and ending in early 2009, that was the first part of a 5-year approach towards identifying a permanent, long-term, sustainable and appropriate use for the house and grounds.

The capital project began with a limited scope to make the property habitable by replacing the existing kitchen and bathroom, upgrading plumbing and electrical, and fixing the existing heating system.  The scope quickly grew as structural deterioration was uncovered and necessary repairs were identified.  Systems were improved through the installation of a new forced air heating and air conditioning system that fit the needs of the house well into the future and are adaptable to sustainable technologies such as Geothermal, when funding permits.

Preserve Rhode Island's Property Manager moved into the Walker House in February 2009.  Certain rooms and wall sections were left untouched and exposed for continued study by preservation students and for viewing during occasional open houses and tours.  Additional finish work, maintenance, landscaping and program development are all part of the Property Manager's 5-year work plan.