WHO WE ARE
MISSION
Preserve Rhode Island protects and celebrates Rhode Island's historic places for generations to come.
STRATEGIC PLAN 2017-2021
Ensuring a place for the past in Rhode Island's future
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Elizabeth Alexander Goddard, co-Chair
Kristin DeKuiper, co-Chair
William W. Kenyon, co-Chair
James Michael Abbott
Rebecca J. Bertrand
Sheila Brush
Abigail Campbell-King
Kristen A. Carron Esq.
Joanne Chang
Jerry W. Dauterive Ph. D.
Kristin DeKuiper
Wendy Nicholas Dorsey
Elizabeth Alexander Goddard
William W. Kenyon
Doris J. Licht
Amy Oakley
Brett N. Pelletier
Christopher G. Ponder
Kathleen A. Ryan Esq.
Michael A. Sherry
Amy Neal Sonder
Theresa Guzman Stokes
Anthony J. Thomas
Rosalind M. Weir
John M. Woolsey
2020 ANNUAL REPORT
OUR STAFF
Valerie is an experienced preservation professional and non-profit administrator. She is the former Executive Director of the Massachusetts Historical Commission and MA State Historic Preservation Officer. She then shifted from working in historic preservation policy and regulation to land conservation as a Land Protection Specialist for The Trustees of Reservations. In 1997, Valerie became the Director of Projects for the New England Office of the Trust for Public Land, overseeing a $50 million portfolio of conservation real estate transactions. In 2007, Valerie joined Preserve Rhode Island as its Executive Director.
vtalmage@preserveri.org
(401) 272-5101 ext. 203
Tom Peterson works with non-profits to build sustainable models for growth. A former marketing strategist and brand builder for international CPG companies (Unilever, Estee Lauder, Swarovski), tech companies (IGT), marketing agencies, non-profits and small/challenger brands, he now utilizes his expertise for positive impact in Rhode Island. His ability to interpret consumer insights, find new markets and audiences, build affinity and loyalty with current customers/donors and create effective communication strategies across media platforms provide him with a unique ability in helping organizations meet their goals. He has a B.A. in Finance from Fordham University and a M.B.A. in Marketing/International Business from N.Y.U.
tpeterson@preserveri.org
(401) 272-5101 ext. 201
Paul Trudeau
Program and Property Manager
Paul joined PRI in 2018. A native of Rhode Island, he holds both a B.A. in History and a M.A. in Historic Preservation from the University of Georgia. His background includes work as a preservation planner, nonprofit director, and construction project manager. He has a passion for wood window restoration and finding solutions for the adaptive reuse of older buildings.
ptrudeau@preserveri.org
(706) 224-4344
Grace Gielink
Program and Property Coordinator
Grace joined the PRI team in 2020. She is from Cleveland, OH which is where she first developed a passion for understanding the effects of historic preservation in cities. She holds a BA in Political Science from Wittenberg University and a Masters in Architectural Conservation from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. After returning from Scotland, she spent a year in Massachusetts as an Americorps member for the Student Conservation Association. There, she completed several carpentry, repointing, and window restoration projects for the National Park Service and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.
ggielink@preserveri.org
(401) 272-5101 ext. 204
Carrie Taylor
Lippitt House Museum Director
Carrie came to Lippitt House Museum to be its first director in 2013. Prior to joining PRI, she was Registrar and later Collections Manager at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia home. Carrie was elected Phi Beta Kappa and graduated cum laude from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in History. She then earned a master’s degree in Public History with a Museums Studies concentration from the University of South Carolina. She is an active member of several professional organizations including the American Association for State and Local History, the New England Museum Association and the Victorian Society in America. She serves on the Board of the Friends of the Brown University Library and is a 2013 graduate of the Seminar for Historical Administration.
ctaylor@preserveri.org
(401) 490-0289
Cathy Saunders
Lippitt House Museum Curator of Education
Cathy has spent three decades providing children and adults with experiences, knowledge, and tools to enable them to be their own advocates and their own agents for change. She earned an MSEd in Museum Education Leadership from Bank Street College. She has held education leadership positions at Providence Children’s Museum and Science Museum of Minnesota. She is a member of the board of directors of New England Museum Association. Currently, she is an independent consultant based in Providence, Rhode Island and Curator of Education at Lippitt House Museum.
csaunders@preserveri.org
(401) 453-0688
Kristen Minsky
Lippitt House Museum Event Rentals Manager + Communications & Design
Kristen joined Preserve Rhode Island's Lippitt House Museum to manage private rentals and market the Museum as a boutique venue on Providence's historic east side. She is behind Chifferobe Events and New England’s premiere vintage dance company, The TropiGals. Her background includes a BFA in Studio Art and Performance Studies from NYU and an MFA in Sculpture from RISD, as well as working with the production team for PERFORMA, New York's world-class biennial focused on visual arts performance. Her relationship with the Museum actually began when she was still at RISD and she curated a series of 1930s murder mysteries in the Museum.
kminsky@preserveri.org
(401) 453-0688
Naydine Rock
Development & Special Events Coordinator
Naydine brings a depth of experience in development. Most recently, she was at Lincoln School where she spent six years as Manager of Donor Services. A native Rhode Islander, she started her career as the Traffic Reporter for Spy-in-the-Sky. Naydine attended Manhattanville College and holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Rhode Island. She is a resource for Preserve Rhode Island members and donors.
nrock@preserveri.org
(401) 272-5101 ext. 205
OPPORTUNITIES
If you are interested in an Internship with Lippitt House Museum, please send an e-mail to Carrie Taylor, Lippitt House Museum's Director with information about the type of internship you are seeking and your current school/college/university affiliation.
2019 990 FORM
HISTORY
Preserve Rhode Island (PRI) was founded in 1956 under state charter to "preserve the beautiful historic buildings, places and things in Rhode Island." Properties such as Lippitt House Museum, Jeremiah Dexter House, Philip Walker House, and Hannah Robinson's Rock were donated, accepted for stewardship, and have been guided into responsible management - whether under our direct care or through affiliated organizations.
In 1999, the organization adopted its current name (previously the Heritage Foundation of Rhode Island and then the Heritage Trust of Rhode Island), marking the expansion of its role from steward to statewide preservation advocate. PRI began responding to local issues in communities that grappled with sprawl, lack of resources, community revitalization, maintaining community character and more.
PRI is a 501(3)c non-profit charitable organization directed by a volunteer Board of Trustees dedicated to protecting the historic and unique places that define Rhode Island. Our small professional staff work with a philosophy of team work amongst ourselves and collaborate with other organizations and individuals, all to preserve Rhode Island as a place where we love to live, work and play.
