Preservation Resources

We are building our on-line resource collection. If you're looking for information on a specific topic please contact Susanna Prull via email or at 401-272-5101.  We update this page often, so check back with us.

Updated Preservation Brief: Improving Energy Efficiency in Historic Buildings

The National Park Service has updated its Preservation Brief on energy efficiency. Download the PDF.

Save The Windows: Spread the Word TODAY!

As an epidemic of window replacement sweeps across the country, the best hope for saving historic windows is to spread the word now about the benefits of repair and retrofit.

Heartbroken bays . . . forgotten four-over-fours . . .  sad single sashes -- a replace-it-now epidemic is sweeping our country, leaving character-rich older and historic windows doomed for the landfill as homeowners seek greater energy efficiency.

We know there's a better -- and cheaper -- way to do this, and it starts with saving what makes our homes special. Put those flyers for flimsy vinyl replacements down, and visit www.savethewindows.org to find out what you can do to spread the word - and stop the pane.

Help us save the windows! Visit www.SavetheWindows.org today! 

    

Lead Paint

August 2010 - EPA adopts new lead paint rules

Lead Paint Fact Sheet

Hearing a lot about lead paint these days and wondering what is going on? A new Lead Paint Guide went live yesterday on the National Trust for Historic Preservation website, PreservationNation.org, to help explain the recent EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting rule, officially adopted on April 22nd. The guide includes a series of FAQs, tips for lead-safe practices, interviews with contractors, case studies, and resources. Check out the new guide and blog posting, New Rule Shines Spotlight on Lead Paint.

 

Flood Recovery

During the final days of March 2010, Rhode Islanders experienced record rainfall and flooding. See our Preservation Alert that went out on April 2nd. It has several resources, in addition to those listed below.

The Office of Library and Information Services (OLIS) has added additional resources that are useful for recovery efforts in your library as well as resources to give the public seeking information to help themselves recover. The resources include links to:

  • federal web sites with forms and procedures,
  • other disaster resource agencies, and
  • informational brochures.

You can find the information and links on the OLIS home page and on the Disaster and Preservation page.

Follow photo and video postings from the flood on our facebook page.

Weatherization

Check out the National Trust for Historic Preservation website for excellent tips on weatherizing your historic property. Learn about audits, upgrading mechanical systems, and repairing old windows. Weatherization Guide for Older and Historic Buildings

Energy Efficiency Basics for the Old House Owner (pdf)- from our homeowner workshops! Links for this resource include Preservation Brief #3, "Conserving Energy in Historic Buildings" and Preservation Brief #39, "Controlling Unwanted Moisture in Historic Buildings"

Attend our next Economical Historic Home workshop!

 

Historic Preservation

Are you looking to boost your board's preservation knowledge? Or maybe you're just looking to expand your own knowledge on the diverse field of historic preservation? Be sure to check out the National Trust for Historic Preservation publications! You can view publications like Basic Preservation at their bookstore at http://www.preservationbooks.org/

 

Preservation and Youth

Introducing Preservation Trades to High School Students (pdf) Although published by the Michigan Historic Preservation Network, this is a great guide for educators around the United States who would like to educate youth in preservation crafts and skills.

Visit the National Parks Service For Teachers resource website.  From lesson plans based on national curriculum standards to professional development opportunities to college-level historic preservation course outlines, the National Park Service has tools that can help enliven classroom presentations and engage students in learning about history.

 

Historic Home Resources

Do you want to preserve your ceramic tile floor or figure out why your exterior paint keeps peeling? Learn how to maintain and repair the materials that make your property beautiful and historic! Take a look at the National Park Service's Preservation Briefs to learn how to care for and extend the life of the materials that define your property's special character.

Need help from a preservation-friendly professional? Check out our Contractor Directory!

Learn about the Homeowner Tax Credit where property owners can earn significant income tax credits when they rehabilitate their properties according to preservation guidelines.

Are you looking for a clawfoot tub, a stained glass window, or other salvage materials? Visit New England Demolition & Salvage in New Bedford, MA to look through their 80,000 square foot space full of salvage materials!  Also try the Providence Revolving Fund on the city's west side.  Another great resource is www.historichouseparts.com (located in New York, but certainly worth a look!).

For reproductions in various price ranges check out Signature Hardware.

 

Historic Wood Windows

There are plenty of great resources for understanding and preserving your historic windows.  Below are a few.

The Repair of Historic Wood Windows - Preservation Brief #9

The New England Window Restoration Alliance
and their publication Top Ten Reasons to Repair or Restore Wood Windows

Historic Wood Windows (pdf) from the National Trust for Historic Preservation Northeast Office

Check out our Contractor Directory to view contractors who specialize in Wood Window Restoration and Storm Windows!