Submitted on August 3rd, 2014
Submitted values are:
--Section 1: Organization Information-Name of Organization: East Greenwich Historic Preservation
Society
Mailing Address: 110 King Street, East Greenwich, RI 02818
Name of Project Contact Person(s): Marion Helwig
Phone: 401-826-0178
E-mail: eghps1677@gmail.com
Type of Organization: Private (citizen, non-profit)
If Other:
Description of Organization and Mission:
The Society’s aims are to preserve the architectural heritage
of East Greenwich, its history and customs.
When the Colonel Micah Whitmarsh House (Brick House) on Main
Street, East Greenwich, was to be razed to make way for a parking
lot, a number of the townfolk 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 nondescript
purposes. The whole character of the town was going to change if
this continued.
In 1967 the East Greenwich 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 “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. The Old Jail is
the headquarters of the East Greenwich Historic Preservation
Society.
On average, how many individuals does your organization serve per
year?
100-200
How did you hear about the CPC? E-mail from Stephanie M. Hessler
--Section 2: Project Description-Title of the Project: A Study to Assist the EGHPS in Cataloging
Its One of a Kind Collections (Including Photographs) & A Design
Layout Reading Room
Project Location (Address, City, State, and Zip):
The Old Kent County Jail at 110 King Street, East Greenwich, RI
02818
General Project Description (you may attach a longer narrative if
necessary):
The Society has occupied the second and third floors of the
Jailkeeper’s House and the old Kent County Jail since 1969.
When I became president in 2003, I toured the buildings. I found
chests, desks, shelves, files stuffed with collections. There was
little evidence that anything was recorded - who donated these
cherished items and when. Nor was anything cataloged.
The photographs were stored in files up at the Town Hall. This
was impossible because I had signed with Arcadia to publish
“Images of America” book on East Greenwich. I had the photos
moved to the Old Jail at 110 King Street, our headquarters.
The two floors were furnished for meetings, but not for
collections or a museum.
For a town founded in 1677 and with so much history, I accept
acquisitions as long as there is a story.
What the Society needs is an appraisal, advice, and guidance on
establishing a working plan for us to follow for the future.
Potential Scope of Work/Tasks for RWU CPC:
1. Suggest how to catalog collections. Are collections displayed
intact?
2. How does the CPC recommend the storage of photographs.
3. Layout of one of the bedrooms in the Jailkeeper’s House. The
front left room measures approximately 13ft. x 15 ft. (Sketch
attached under supporting resources)
4. Are shelves the best way to store or file documents?
5. I can see the need for a photographic brochure of all our
acquisitions.
What will be the final product output for this project? (survey,
website, design plans, drawings, etc.):
Design plans, catalog, website.
Proposed Project Schedule (when the tasks/project needs to be
completed):
We would be so grateful to receive assistance from RWU CPC that
we would make our schedule fit yours.
Please provide the names and contact information for any staff
members or volunteers who will be playing a primary role in the
proposed CPC project.:
Marion Helwig: 401-826-0178
Rachel Peirce: 401-294-2731
Gloria DePaola: 401-885-0315
Joyce and Joe McGinn: 401-885-2151
What resources/previous work would the CPC be building upon that
you already have completed? (Please select all items that are
applicable):
What active support would your organization be able to contribute
should your project be selected? Volunteers
--Section 3: Project Outcomes-Please describe how this project will benefit your organization
and the advancement of your mission:
The Society would have a system for cataloging its collection and
have a working plan for us to follow in the future.
Please describe how this project might benefit the overall
community, including specific groups that could benefit from this
project (i.e. target populations, neighborhoods, specific
town/city/region).:
The creation of a research and reading room would be an important
resource for people interested in East Greenwich history and for
those doing genealogical research. Everyone who has visited our
headquarters have left impressed with our collection and the
history books we have published. In the last year, I have
welcomed visitors from California, Maine, Colorado and Vermont.
Please explain why you have chosen to seek assistance from the
RWU CPC with your project request, instead of undertaking the
project using fee-for-services from a paid professional:
Our Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. None of us
are paid - we are all volunteers. I don’t want to introduce
paid professionals into such an atmosphere.
Please describe how this project will benefit RWU students.:
We hope they will find it as useful and rewarding as we will.
--Section 4: Financial Information-What is your organization’s annual operating budget? Please
include a copy of your most recent budget with the application in
Section 6..:
We do not have a copy of our most recent operating budget, as our
treasurer is away for the summer. I will attach our Income and
Expenses from 2012-2013 (which includes a $6611 insurance payment
from hurricane damage). We can provide the current file at a
later date.
What are your major sources of funding?
Rental income from our first floor, membership dues, sales of our
books and grants.
How much funding from your annual operating budget is set aside
for this project (if any)?
None, so far.
--Section 5: Private Sector Involvement-Have you or your organization discussed the project with
practicing professionals (e.g. architect, engineer, planner,
consultants, etc.)? : No
If no, please explain why: First, I wanted to learn how other
societies handled these problems. I visited Little Compton,
Pettasquamscutt, and Hope Historical Societies. I have spoken
with Morgan Grefe of the Rhode Island Historical Society and
various genealogical societies. I felt I got great assistance and
fort-right remarks without the dollar sign.
--Section 6: Supporting Documents-Budget for the current fiscal year:
https://rwu.edu/sites/default/files/webform/incomeexpenses2012-2013.pdf
List of current Board members:
https://rwu.edu/sites/default/files/webform/boardofdirectors2014.pdf
Copies of supporting resources identified in section 2 as needed
to support your application:
https://rwu.edu/sites/default/files/webform/frontbedroomatjail.pdf
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