You provide vital funding for advocacy, leadership, innovation and action for the challenges that lie ahead.
Historic preservation takes vigilance and vision. It takes planning and preparation to be ready for when the next crisis hits. It takes sensible local zoning laws that protect historic neighborhoods and provide waiting periods before demolition. It takes incentives for developers like State Historic Tax Credits. It takes programs that help owners of historic buildings by providing advice and resources. It takes a community of supporters like YOU!
For over 60 years, Preserve Rhode Island has been at the forefront in protecting historic places that matter to all Rhode Islanders. Utilizing our historic assets also solves present day challenges by building affordable housing, revitalizing neighborhoods, and protecting local environments.
Your gift makes our work possible...
Repairing Stone Walls
Historic stone walls are iconic features of the Rhode Island landscape. The Aquidneck Stone Wall Initiative, our collaboration with The Preservation Society of Newport County, recently wrapped up restoration projects at Miantonomi Park in Newport, Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown, and Glen Farm in Portsmouth.
Protecting in Perpetuity
Our Preservation Easement program gives owners the security to know their historic property will be safeguarded by Preserve RI. This year we acquired one new easement and are working on three more in Narragansett, Charlestown, and Providence
Caring for Properties
As owners of historic properties, we strive to model good stewardship. At the Philip Walker House in East Providence, we recently completed exterior rehabilitation and are now working on the interior. At Lippitt House in Providence, we upgraded our fire alarm system, accomplished exterior carpentry repairs, and continue interior paint conservation.
Advocating
We help local communities recognize the importance of their historic assets and offer practical solutions to preservation problems. Statewide, we are calling on state leaders to fix the broken Historic Tax Credit program that has created housing, revitalized neighborhoods, and protected local environments.
Supporting Local Preservation
Partnering for a fifth year with The 1772 Foundation, we awarded matching grants totaling $125,000 to 17 nonprofit organizations maintaining historic buildings in Rhode Island. Since 2020, we have overseen the allocation of more than $600,000 in funding through this grant program
Arctic Mill, West Warwick- this mill was converted into 136 apartments, including 31 workforce housing units, thanks to RI’s Historic Tax Credit.
Shri Yoga Studio, Pawtucket- received a 2024 Rhody Award for converting an historic mill into community and living space for adults with intellectual disabilities.
Walker House- East Providence- The recently completed exterior of the Philip Walker House