Friday, March 29, 2024

Save the Town Hall Chimney!

 The Warren Preservation Society is working with the Town of Warren to help raise funds the restoration of the north chimney of the Warren Town Hall. The chimney has deteriorated and has become a safety issue. Although the chimney is no longer in use, it is a major architectural feature of our 1890 Town Hall. 

The Town of Warren must cover $70,000 in funds to cover staging and dismantling the chimney. The goal of WPS is to fund the remaining $40,000 necessary to rebuild the chimney with the staging in place.

WPS has pledged $10,000 towards the chimney restoration project and has set-up a fund to accept donations to help repair the chimney while staging for the work is in place. 

If an organization, business, or individual would like to make a tax deductible donation towards this important restoration please do so as soon as possible. 

Please mail a check made out to "Warren Preservation Society" to WPS, PO Box 624, Warren, RI, 02885. 

If you have any questions please email us at info@preservewarren.org

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Spring Membership Meeting


Spring Membership Meeting

Thursday, March 21

Warren Methodist Church

25 Church Street, Warren

Potluck Supper - 6:00 PM (members)

Meeting and Panel Discussion - 7:00 PM

Panel Discussion - “Warren’s Affordable Housing Dilemma”

This is a friendly and informational discussion about balancing the economic and cultural assets of Warren’s historic district with the vital need for affordable housing in the community. 

 

Panelists will include Herb Durfee, Planner for the Town of Warren; Elizabeth Totten from the RI Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission; and Fred Massie, Chairman of the Warren Planning Board. The panel members will be asked to respond to three talking points that focus on the challenges of building affordable housing within a small historic community.  There will be time for questions from the audience after the discussion.  WPS board member Joan Coltrain will serve as moderator. 

 

Topics of interest include how the state’s affordable housing legislation influences new development planning, Warren’s comprehensive plan and housing survey, and concerns about density and preserving historic architectural character and scale. 


Please email us at info@preservewarren.org with any questions.


Thank you for your support and participation!

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

2023 Annual Fund and Holiday Party!

It's the Holiday Season! Time for our Annual Fund Drive and our annual Membership Holiday Party.

Our Annual WPS Member Holiday Party is Thursday, December 14 at the Parish House, 16 School Street.

Please bring an appetizer to share!


Please Consider Making a Meaningful contribution to our Annual Fund Drive



Your donation helps us plan for next years projects and allows us to fulfill our mission to preserve our historic resources, advocate for the future of our historic district and educate the public about our history and culture. 

This years programs and projects include:

Recognized the following properties with historic markers at the Warren Walkabout: George Cole House, ca.1855 (18 Cole Street), James & Ann Capper House, ca.1871 (164 Water Street), Frank Debeault House, ca.1883 (196 Water Street), Mary & Margaret Quirk House, ca.1924 (15 Wheaton Street), and James Leeson House, ca.1916 (34 Coomer Avenue).
      
Hosted a joint Annual Meeting and presentation with the Massasoit Historical Association at the Maxwell House entitled “Protecting and Preserving Warren’s Natural Landscape,” featuring Rock Singewald from the Warren Land Conservation Trust and Chuck Staton from the Warren Tree Commission. A donation was presented to each organization to recognize their contributions to tree planting and preservation of open space in Warren.
     
Collaborated with the Warren Heritage Foundation (WHF) and the Massasoit Historical Association to retain legal counsel to prevent the demolition of the historic buildings at 119 & 113 Water Street. WPS actively supported the community-led “Save Water Street” group whose efforts influenced the Warren Planning Board’s decision to reject the developer’s application and preserve the historic scale of Water Street.
     
Developed a new Warren Historic Sites map that showcases 20 Warren historic sites and 10 historic markers. Partially funded by a RI State Legislative Grant, Discover Newport and WHF, the map will be distributed throughout Warren and at the Newport Visitor Center.  

Thank you for your support and participation!