Preliminary Application
for CPC Project Assistance
Introduction: The Roger Williams University (RWU) Community Partnership Center (CPC) delivers project-based services
to organizations and municipalities in the local and regional communities. Services are based on the University’s academic
programs and the availability/applicability/suitability of the projects. Previous projects have included include architectural
design, market survey and research, business planning, community planning, historic preservation, neighborhood crime
prevention planning, legal research and associated specialties. Since the project services are performed by students in
support of their educational experience please understand that any deliverables generated through an accepted project are
intended to provide conceptual information only to assist design and planning and such are not intended, nor should they be
used for, construction or other project implementation. Professional and/or other services may be needed to ultimately
implement a sponsor’s desired goals
Instructions: We encourage non-profit organizations and municipal agencies to contact the CPC with ideas for projects that
can benefit the community while providing meaningful service-learning for RWU students. Please fill out this Application for
Project Assistance, answering all applicable questions. In order for any project to be considered for assistance, completed
applications must be submitted to CPC Director Arnold Robinson via e-mail: arobinson@rwu.edu or faxed to (401) 2543565. Any questions can be directed to CPC staff at (401) 254-3307.
SECTION 1: Organization Information
Name of Organization: Dartmouth Historical and Arts Society, Inc.
Type of Organization: We are a 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation.
Name of Contact Person: Robert Smith, President
Address of Organization: 1205 Russells Mills Road, South Dartmouth, MA 02748
Mailing Address: PO Box 76, Dartmouth, MA 02714
Phone: 508-636-0660
Fax: None
E-mail: bartlettrs@gmail.com
Description of Organization and Mission: The Dartmouth Historical and Arts Society, Inc. (DHAS) is a 501(c) 3 non-profit
corporation whose mission is to support, promote, preserve and disseminate the historic and cultural diversity of our town,
Dartmouth Massachusetts. Goals include:
Conserve, document and teach the history of Dartmouth.
Preserve and rehabilitate the 1871 Schoolhouse (the former Russells Mills Library.)
Provide living history programs for children and adults about the 1871 Schoolhouse and Russells Mills Village.
Sponsor and promote exhibitions for the community, including those of art and history.
Sponsor and host meetings, theater, art programs and book clubs.
Additional information about our organization and the building can be found on our website: www.dartmouthhas.org.
How did you hear about the CPC? From individuals affiliated with the Roger Williams University
SECTION 2: Project Description
Title of the Project: Interior Renovations of the 1871 Schoolhouse
Project Location (Address, City, State, and Zip): DHAS, 1205 Russells Mills Road, South Dartmouth, MA 02748
General Project Description (you may attach a longer narrative if necessary): Our objective is for assistance in the repair
and renovation of 1871 Schoolhouse’s interior so it becomes functional yet maintains its historic characteristics. The project
has two components that correspond to the two floors of the old Schoolhouse.
The first floor has seen many renovations through the years, including carpeted Masonite covering the original wooden
floor, and there is a false ceiling and industrial florescent lighting. However, it retains the original wooden wainscoting,
massive doors, and windows. We are hoping you can assist us so the space is more consistent with its early design, yet we
can use it for flexible programming to include art exhibitions, historical displays, meetings, lectures, and classes. We also
need insights on current building and fire codes for historic buildings so we know what we must do for compliance on the
first floor.
The second floor has not seen any renovations since the early 1960’s, and because it has not been used for many years, it
retains some classroom atmosphere. Currently, the space has peeling plaster, electrical wiring crisscrossing the area, and
old florescent lighting. However, it retains the old fir flooring, wooden wainscoting and windows, and you can tell where the
old slate chalkboards rested. We hope to restore the second floor so it can be used for small group programs and office
space. We need insights into current building and fire codes for historic buildings so we know what we can and cannot do
on the second floor, as there is only one egress.
Potential Scope of Work/Tasks for RWU CPC
A Roadmap to facilitate interior renovations of the 1871 Schoolhouse
 Interpretation and guidance of current building and fire codes for historic structures for renovations and
repairs, as well as occupancy issues
 Recommendations on the restoration of the wooden floors
 Recommendations how to install additional electrical outlets in the building so they are functional, yet the
wainscoting is not damaged
 Lighting design for the interior
 Recommendations on the restoration of walls and ceilings on the second floor so they reflect the original
schoolhouse
 Recommendations on how to provide economical heat to the second floor
 Recommendations for ADA compliance in a historic structure
Proposed Project Schedule (when the tasks/project needs to be completed): We are very flexible, as we are a new
organization with limited funds. Ideally, we would like to have renovations completed by April 2014.
Project Task
Interpretation and guidance of current building and fire codes for historic
structures for renovations and repairs, as well as occupancy issues
Recommendations for renovations
Lighting design completed
Lighting plan implemented
Installation additional electrical outlets
Heat to the second floor
RWU Community Partnerships Center Project Request Form
Month for completion
2/13
x
5/13
9/13
12/13
3/14
x
x
x
x
x
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Restoration of second floor walls and ceilings
Modification for ADA compliance, if necessary
Restoration of the wooden floors
x
x
x
Other information to help us to better understand the project (we encourage feel free to include pictures,
site documentation, maps etc.):
The School House was built in 1871 as an elementary school for the town of Dartmouth. For two years, it was one of the
revolving high schools, as was the practice among the Dartmouth town schools. It reverted back to an elementary school
until 1914 when a new school was built to accommodate the ever-increasing enrollment. Many of its students’ names are
recognizable from the town’s street names, monuments, and history. Thereafter, the building was put into service as a
library and remained such until 2007, when town budget cuts forced the building’s closure. The Schoolhouse remained
vacant until 2011, when a group of concerned citizens formed the Dartmouth Historical and Arts Society to save the
building, and support Dartmouth history, culture and art.
The building itself is a 2,200 square foot two-story wood framed Greek Revival building. The façade design has white
clapboards and six-over-six double hung windows, and shutters. The first floor has primarily one large room, but during the
twentieth century improvements to the structure installed a new double door entrance and lobby, a mechanical room for the
furnace and a room for the toilet. A second egress door leads out of the large room. There is one staircase to the second
floor. The second floor consists of one large room, a small office or workroom, and the stairwell. There is only one exit on
the second floor, and it is the stairs.
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First floor
Second floor
Second floor ceiling and wall
Exterior
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SECTION 3: Project Outcomes
Please describe how this project will benefit your organization: The first floor will be made functional so it can be used
effectively for a variety of programming, including lectures, meetings, and rotating exhibitions of art and history. The second
floor will have flexible space for a living history classroom (showing visitors what the schoolhouse resembled over 100 years
ago,) small group classes as well as office space that we lack.
Please describe how this project might benefit the overall community, including who could benefit from this
project (i.e. target groups, neighborhoods, the region/city/town as a whole, etc.).
Our CPC request meets a 2012 Dartmouth town Community’s Assessment, which found that 76% of the respondents found
it “extremely/very important to preserve buildings of historical and architectural interest…[and were] concerned over the
demolition of historic properties as well as the degradation of the historic villages in the town.” (Town of Dartmouth, Open
Space and Recreation Plan, Section 7, Analysis of Need, November 2009, p.110.) The building is located in The Russells
Mills Historic District, which is a State Chapter 40(C) District, and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places
(http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/ma/bristol/districts.html). The project will help preserve the historic
characteristics of both the 1871 Schoolhouse and The Russells Mills Historic District.
Our project will also address additional community needs by providing a good space to offer programs specific to
Dartmouth. Unlike other organizations in southeastern Massachusetts, the Dartmouth Historical and Arts Society offers
programs that emphasize Dartmouth’s unique contribution to the history and culture of the region. Please see our website,
www.DartmouthHAS.org to see some of our past events and future programming. Repair and renovation of the
Schoolhouse’s interior will help us further meet the community’s call for Dartmouth themed programming.
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SECTION 4: Financial Information
What is your organization’s annual operating budget? Our annual budget for the first year of operation is approximately
$5000. We rent the schoolhouse from the Town of Dartmouth, and payment is provided to the town through DHAS’ building
maintenance, as well as cultural and educational services to the town.
What are your major sources of funding? At this time, our major source of funding is through our membership and generous
donations from our members of both funds and in-kind services. DHAS is pursing additional support through foundations,
state and local preservation grants, and in-kind donations of services and goods from local businesses.
How much funding from your annual operating budget is set aside for this project (if any)? We have not formally set aside
funds for this project. However, at this time we have approximately $1000 set aside for repairs.
SECTION 5: Private Sector Involvement
Have you or your organization discussed the project with practicing professionals (e.g. architect, engineer, planner,
etc.)? Yes
If no, please explain why:
If yes, 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:
DHAS is fortunate to have a professional architect on our board, as well as in our membership. However, these individuals
are not preservation professionals, and we are looking to CPC for that expertise. We have also met with the Building
Inspector of the Town of Dartmouth for some insights into repair of the building, but he is unable to provide additional project
assistance.
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