| PPS Receives RISCA Grant |  | PPS has received a $2000 project grant from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) in support of our Most Endangered Properties Photography Exhibit. Panelists felt that the project has artistic merit and is achievable. This funding will most certainly contribute to the success of the event. Thank you, RISCA! | | | | Welcome to the New PPS E-Newsletter
How do you like our new look?
With this issue, the Providence Preservation Society unveils what we hope will be a better e-newsletter. With a more graphic layout, this format makes it easy for you to find the information that interests you and to link to additional details about many of our featured topics. It also contains quick links to the PPS website and membership page.
Please feel free to forward this newsletter to friends and encourage them to sign up for future mailings!
Warm Regards, George W. Born
Executive Director |
Preservation  2008 Most Endangered Properties List
Oral History Project
If you or someone you know has a personal connection to any of the buildings on our 2008 Most Endangered Properties List, PPS would like to hear about it. Were you a student at Asa Messer Elementary? Do you have fond memories of double features at the Castle Theater? Your memories could help us better explain why these historic buildings need to be protected. To share your story, please contact Sara Emmenecker at semmenecker@ppsri.org. To read more about this year's List, click here.
| Most Endangered Properties Photography Exhibit
 Once again PPS expresses its advocacy efforts through art at the 2008 Most Endangered Properties Photography Exhibit. In collaboration with the Arts & Business Council of Rhode Island, the exhibit will be showcased in the magnificent atrium of the historic Peerless Building, 150 Union Street in downtown Providence. The show features the work of ten local professional photographers and will open with a Gallery Night Providence reception on Thursday, September 18. A closing reception will be held on Saturday, October 18. Additional event information and gallery hours will be available soon at www.ppsri.org. The exhibit is supported in part by a grant from the RI State Council on the Arts.
| Education
Register for 2008 Realtor Training, "Historic Interiors"
Come learn about historic buildings by attending PPS's 2008 Realtor Training. It will take place on Thursday, October 23 and Friday, October 24 with the theme "Historic Interiors." Space is limited, so sign up soon!
The course is certified for 10 hours of CE credit by the RI Division of Business Regulation Real Estate Division, and is endorsed by the Greater Providence Board of Realtors. To register for the 2008 seminar, please contact Education Coordinator, Kathleen McAreavey at kmcareavey@ppsri.org.
Common Sense Comes to PPS
On Monday, July 28 educators joined author and fifth-grade teacher Mark Wilensky at the Old Brick Schoolhouse to learn about his new book, The Elementary Common Sense of Thomas Paine and Paine's connection to John Carter and the Providence Gazette. After his lecture, audience members asked questions and bought copies of the book signed by the author. This program was a joint collaboration between PPS and Volunteers in Providence Schools (VIPS).
| Events
Mark Your Calendar!
FirstComp Presents
Party on Top with Sizzle
Saturday September 20, 2008
Brown Rudnick
11th floor penthouse
Join PPS for cocktails, lavish hors d'oeuvres, live music, and an auction with an exciting view of WaterFire.
Invitations will be mailed shortly.
PPS Brings Holiday Festival Downtown
December 5 and 6, 2008
After a six-year winter's nap, the Providence Preservation Society brought back the much-loved Holiday Festival and Benefit Street Stroll in 2006, and lit the hearts of tour-goers. This year's Holiday Festival is moving downtown to showcase some of the beautifully preserved buildings and highlight the vibrant area it has come to be. As usual, the Holiday Festival will include horse-drawn carriage rides, a special tree lighting ceremony, holiday bell ringers and carolers, mulled cider, roasted chestnuts, and other seasonal merriment.
This year's Festival will be ushered in with a Patrons' Reception at City Hall on Friday, December 5. On Saturday, December 6, the celebration continues with a tour of downtown homes and the annual stroll and parade to the tree lighting. In partnership with the City of Providence, the annual tree lighting with Mayor Cicilline at City Hall will be joined with the PPS annual tree lighting on Saturday afternoon.
Stay tuned for more details to follow.
| Community Notes 
Executive Director Carries a Torch
PPS Executive Director George Born participated with approximately 128 community leaders in a torch lighting ceremony in support of the United Way at the Live United WaterFire on July 19. This was the only WaterFire in July, and the sweltering heat could not keep the crowds away. PPS is a longtime member of the United Way. Please keep us in mind during your company's United Way Campaign. Our United Way number is 6485.
Providence Public Library Visual Literacy Series presents Samaritan Stonecarvers, August 21
On the next Gallery Night Providence, Thursday, August 21, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm, artists Adam Heller and Tracy Mahaffey of Samaritan Stonecarvers, in Foster, R.I., will give a presentation featuring their artwork at the Providence Public Library (PPL). This event is the sixth in PPL's new Visual Literacy Series presented in conjunction with the monthly Gallery Night events.
Through their hand-carved custom lettering and sculpture in stone, Adam and Tracy are committed to keeping the craft of stone carving alive and accessible. They have worked with clients on custom wedding commissions, garden pieces, personal artwork, inspirational indoor and outdoor sculpture, commemorative pieces, personalized memorials, and gravestones. On August 21 they will discuss the joy and struggle of creative collaboration and present some of their new work. For more information, please visit PPL's calendar of events.
Downcity Alive! Tour with the RI Historical Society
The Providence Renaissance meets the Victorian city center in Downcity Alive!, a Rhode Island Historical Society walking tour offered each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday at 4:00 pm. The tour begins at the Providence Biltmore Hotel, 11 Dorrance Street. Tickets are $10 per person. For more information, please contact Barbara Barnes, RIHS Tour Services Manager, 401-273-7507, ext. 62, or email bbarnes@rihs.org.
Commercial Lease Available in Shakespeare's Head
The Shakespeare's Head Association, owner of 21 Meeting Street where PPS headquarters are located, seeks a commercial tenant for its garden-level office space. The space, approximately 400 square feet, is available immediately. It features a row of windows with a view of the tranquil Shakespeare's Head Garden and plenty of natural light. The space includes two parking spaces. Great location on the crest of College Hill only blocks from downtown Providence. Monthly rent is $800. Interested parties should contact Kristi Agniel at 401-749-5008. |
Volunteer Opportunities 
Children's Heritage Education Docents
The Providence Preservation Society is looking for individuals interested in leading walking tours for elementary and middle school students, grades 4-8. Each year, docents lead more than 3,500 students on walking tours of Providence. PPS's award-winning program uses the city's architecture as a textbook from which students learn the history of Providence. No previous experience is necessary; just an interest in history and/or architecture and the desire to work with school children. Upon completing a three-day training seminar provided by PPS, docents are asked to make a one-year commitment to the program. For more information, please contact Kathleen McAreavey, Education Coordinator at the Providence Preservation Society, by e-mailing kmcareavey@ppsri.org, or by telephone at 401- 831- 7440, ext. 103.
Office Assistant
PPS seeks a volunteer to assist with general office tasks, including but not limited to answering a multi-line phone, greeting visitors, working on special projects, and mailings. Experience with Microsoft Office programs necessary. This opportunity could be as little as 2 hours per week or as many as 10-12. Must be pleasant on the phone and able to handle multiple tasks at once. Please email your interest and availability to info@ppsri.org.
Special Events Intern
The Providence Preservation Society seeks an intern for the Fall semester (Sept. - Dec. 2008), who is interested in learning more about marketing, public relations and event planning. PPS hosts several events throughout the year, including its annual Winter Bash, Festival of Historic Houses, Annual Meeting, and various lectures and membership activities. The intern will work directly with Special Events staff on the following tasks: developing and coordinating portions of the events, writing and sending out press releases, assisting with invitation mailings and tracking responses, answering phone/email inquiries related to events, attending event committee meetings (when possible), and assisting staff and committee members with set-up and oversight on the day of the events. Only those students majoring in event planning or preparing for a career in event planning should apply, preferably juniors or seniors, or graduate students. Must have a professional phone manner, strong writing/communications skills, experience with Microsoft Office, and be able to multitask and take on projects with limited supervision. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to info@ppsri.org.
Preservation Awards Intern
Each year the Providence Preservation Society acknowledges significant contributions to the preservation and revitalization of Providence's historic resources. Award nominations are made by the public and solicited in the early fall; the awards are presented at an event in Februray. PPS seeks an intern to help with management of this respected preservation awards program.
The ideal candidate will have a BA/BS, some college, or equivalent educational experience; experience working in an office; enthusiasm for historic preservation, historic architecture, and the history of Providence; and excellent writing and communication skills. Duties include: solicitation of nominations, research of properties, correspondence with award nominees, site visits and photography, preparation of press releases, slideshow, and award citations, assisting in design of mailings and brochures, and some event planning. This unpaid internship requires a 10-15 hours/week commitment. The internship will start on or after September 15 and conclude in late January (schedule is flexible to accommodate academic calendar). Graduate students in history, architectural studies or historic preservation are strongly encouraged to apply. Please send a cover letter, writing samples, and resume to info@ppsri.org.
Flatbed scanner
PPS is in need of a color flatbed scanner for archiving our research library. If you or someone you know has a Windows Vista- or XP Pro-compatible color flatbed scanner capable of scanning slides to donate to our organization, please let us know by emailing info@ppsri.org. Thank you!
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