January Meeting, Monday, January 16, 2012 The Old Jail, 110 King Street, East Greenwich 6:30 pm
Our Speaker will be Rory Raven, the author of "The Dorr War: Treason, Rebellion and the Fight for Reform in Rhode Island." He will talk about the life and times of Thomas William Dorr whose efforts to extend voting rights from landowners to all white men who could afford a $1 poll tax sparked the Dorr Rebellion in 1842.
A potluck supper will begin at 6:30; Gordon's presentation begins at 7:30. The meeting is free and open to the public. Call Sue Curado at 884-4643 to reserve a space.
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Our Membership Drive is officially underway. You can help... Do you have a friend who appreciates the local history of East Greenwich and preservation? Here is our Membership form.
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| Simply please Print and mail with your check for $20 Annual Membership fee to: EGHPS, 110 King Street, East Greenwich, RI 02818 |
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History of the East Greenwich Historic Preservation Society
When the Colonel Micah Whitmarsh House (the Brick House) on Main Street, East Greenwich, was to be razed to make way for a parking lot, a number of the townsfolk foresaw what the future might hold. Already the Old Town Hall had disappeared and a number of lovely old houses had been demolished to make way for the nondescript purposes. The whole character of the town was going to change if this continued.
In 1967 the East Greenwich Historic Preservation Society was formed, primarily to acquire and save the Brick House. The building was refurbished, financed with money obtained from dues, donations, grants and bank loans, and became a working asset of the town.
In 1969 the "Olde Gaol" or "Old Jail" on King Street was scheduled to be torn down or moved to change the traffic pattern on Water Street. The Society rallied in support of the Jail, purchased the structure and it remains on its original site as the Society's headquarters.
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For further information you may contact us at the above address or phone us at:
(401) 826 - 0178
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Accomplishments
- Purchased, restored and sold the Brick House on Main Street
- Promoted development of Historic Zoning and Historic Disctrict Commission
- Initiated the Quilt show
- As part of the Bicentennial Celebration in 1976, sponsored the re-enactment of the 1789 spinning of flax into linen and produced a reproduction Calico used to design a period wedding dress
- Designed and created a Town Quilt as a community Project
- Purchased the Old Jail for restorations and use by the community
- Researched and prepared commemorative plaques for a number of historic homes
- Worked with Town officials for restoration of buildings in the downtown area
- Published a Legacy of East Greenwich Recipes
- Saved the Mathewson Warehouse and the old Frenchtown Baptist Meeting House
- Commemorated the 300th Anniversary of the founding of the United States Navy in East Greenwich
- Maintained landscapes at selected Historical cemetery sites for three years
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Ongoing Programs
- Encourage the protection and preservation of buildings, items, neighborhoods, open spaces, and rural environments
- Public waterfront access
- Sponsorship of programs that foster community growth
- Identification and cataloging of historic photographs and documents with the publication of a photography book of old East Greenwich: Images of America: East Greenwich (published in August of 2006, now available from the EGHPS and through local merchants)
- Continue restoration of the Old Jail
- Continue publication of The Packet, begun again in February 2007
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