News and Articles

The Abraham Brown House/Lafeyette House in Tiverton was suddenly demolished in late December of 2024. With support from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Preserve Rhode Island, in partnership with the RI Historic Preservation and Heritage Commission (RIHPHC), will be hosting a demolition delay webinar with the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC) as a part of their Commission Assistance and Mentoring Program (CAMP). The webinar will provide an over

As you drive past the intersection of North Broadway and Massasoit Ave in the Rumford section of East Providence, you may notice a bright, new sign announcing the Philip Walker House. Having recently completed a major restoration of the exterior and interior, it’s one of the new signs of life at the property.  Sitting prominently on nearly 2 acres, the current Philip Walker House was constructed in several stages, starting around 1724. The two-story building contains remnant

In partnership with the 1772 Foundation, Preserve RI awarded a total of $125,000 in one-to-one matching grants to 18 nonprofit organizations in 2025. Our grantees were funded for work ranging from window sash restoration and exterior painting to temporarily moving a structure. As our grantees wrap up their work, we are thrilled to share three highlights of what the 1772 grants helped them achieve this year: Conanicut Friends Meeting House, Jamestown. One of the oldest Quaker

New Handbooks Provide Clarity for Homeowners and Contractors on Preserving Wood Windows In 2023, the State of Rhode Island expanded landlord requirements in the General Laws that govern lead-safe conditions for residential properties. This included mandatory registration in an online rental registry and a more stringent lead-safe enforcement and compliance process. With no exceptions or guides for historic buildings, these new requirements created a great deal of concern for

Conference attendees being led on a tour by Museum Director Cathy Saunders The Association for Preservation Technology (APT) held their annual conference in Providence last week, spanning from Monday to Saturday. It was titled “Revolution & Innovation: The Power of Water, Craft, & Architecture” and brought over 400 historic preservation professionals in architecture and engineering to Rhode Island. Programs comprised of field sessions throughout Providence, Wickford, and Newp

Rosalind (Roz) Weir was recognized with a Rhody Award last month for her role in transforming Tiverton Four Corners into what we know it as today. She and her husband, Jim, an architect who passed away in 2013, foresaw the potential of the village and started restoring properties at Four Corners in 1983. Over forty years, they rehabilitated and developed 13 buildings at Four Corners, curated the businesses that make it a vibrant shopping and dining destination, established an

Preserve RI is thrilled to welcome our newest staff member, Zach Russell. A 2023 graduate of Salve Regina University with a B.A. in Cultural and Historic Preservation, Zach is a native Rhode Islander who serves on the board of the Heritage Alliance of Pawtucket and the Pawtucket Historic District Commission.  His background includes leading tours at Belcourt, the historic house museum in Newport. He has also worked at Newport’s Island Cemetery where he assisted with the digit

A new public art installation has brought color and highlights of history to the downtown Providence experience. The Downtown Providence Parks Network (DPPN) has just completed an extensive wayfinding marker project. The non-profit organization’s mission is to steward and activate parks within the city’s downtown core. Nora Barré currently serves as Executive Director of the organization and has spearheaded the installation. How did this project come to life? According to Bar

Romolo "Rom" Marsella played a major role in revitalizing downtown Providence. Key contributions include co-founding the Providence Foundation, establishing Urban Consultants and Marsella Development Corporation, and leading major projects like the creation of the Capital Center and the redevelopment of several historic structures in Providence. In 2008, his son Christopher became president of Marsella Development.  In 2013, Chris established Marsella Properties, a full-servi

This article was originally posted on September 10, 2022, on the Cultural Society Blog under the title “AAC Periodical Preview: Asian History in Rhode Island," by Rachel Kim. Editor's Note: As part of Lippitt House Museum’s Semiquincentennial celebration, commemorating 250 years of U.S. history through the lives of the people who shaped it, the Museum is sharing histories curated from community partners to tell a fuller story of Rhode Island’s history. This guest post from th