Upcoming
PPS Events
| Now-December 6
MEP Traveling Exhibit at OfficeLab
December 5-6
Holiday Festival & Downtown Stroll
December 9-early January
MEP Traveling Exhibit at Brooklyn Coffee & Tea House
January 22, 2009
Annual Meeting
February 7, 2009
Preservation Awards &
Winter Bash
| | | | | THIS WEEK
Visit 11 Stunning Downtown Residences at PPS's Holiday Festival and Downtown Stroll on December 5th and 6th!
To purchase tickets or for more information, visit http://www.ppsri.org/holidayfestival | Preservation
 2008 Most Endangered Properties Traveling Exhibit
Now-December 6
The second annual Most Endangered Properties Traveling Exhibit is currently on display in downtown Providence at OfficeLab on the third floor of the Union Trust Building at 170 Westminster Street. The exhibit will be open to the public during the 2008 PPS Holiday Festival and Downtown Stroll on Saturday, December 6, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
December 9-early January
The traveling show will move to the Brooklyn Coffee and Tea House, 209 Douglas Avenue on Smith Hill, on December 9. PPS will host a gallery reception, date and time TBA. The exhibit will remain in the space through early January.
The goal of the traveling show is reach a variety of sites, audiences, and neighborhoods throughout Providence and increase awareness of the threats that historic buildings face. Stay tuned to www.ppsri.org for updates on where the show will travel next.
Historic Schools as 21st-century Learning Environments  The West Broadway Neighborhood Association (WBNA) invites those interested in learning more about how historic schools can best serve our children, and specifically how Asa Messer Elementary School (2007 and 2008 PPS Most Endangered Properties Lists) can be part of the plan to provide Providence with 21st-century schools, to a presentation by David Finney, President, DesignPartnership of Cambridge. Mr. Finney will display successful rehabilitations of historic schools across New England. In 2007, PPS had Finney look at the feasibility of rehabbing West Broadway Elementary School and Mt. Pleasant Elementary School in the wake of the release of the DeJONG Facilities Master Plan. Providence Superintendent Tom Brady will also be in attendance. The meeting will be at the WBNA headquarters at 1560 Westminster Street on Tuesday, December 2 at 7:00 p.m.
| | Education
PPS Downcity Bronze Marker Program Revived Due to the Generous Support of Providence Revolving Fund
The Providence Preservation Society has revived its Downcity Marker Program with technical and financial assistance for the Providence Revolving Fund. Sixty historically significant, commercial buildings have been identified to receive bronze markers over the next three years. Eighteen markers have been awarded in 2008. The marker program is an excellent tool for educating citizens and visitors about the rich, architectural and commercial heritage of Providence's downtown. The program encourages building owners to rehabilitate and maintain their historic structures by making them aware of the important contributions their building has made to downtown Providence's cultural development. Final installation of the remaining markers will take place this week. Please check them out as you stroll Downtown during our upcoming Holiday Festival on Saturday, December 6.
Seven PPS Docents Obtain Passports to Learning and Teaching
Seven of PPS's docents were able to attend this year's RI Docent Symposium which took place on Tuesday, November 18 at the Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design. Those attendees were Patricia Cole, Vince DiStefano, Carol Ann Metallo, Liz Palter, Don Slate, Lisa Spagnole, and Frank Sparicio. Education Coordinator, Kathleen McAreavey was a member of this year's Symposium Planning Committee. The docents were able to network and attend workshops along with 130 docents from throughout Rhode Island, southeastern Massachusetts and southeastern Connecticut. Some of the workshop topics included "Universal Access for Tour-goers", "Developing a Walking Tour", "Researching the Truth", "Shaping a Collection", "Working with Stuff", "Multiple Learning Styles", "Visual Thinking Strategies", and "Connecting to School Standards". Dr. Howard P. Chudacoff, the George L. Littlefield Professor of American History at Brown University and author of Children at Play: an American History, gave an informative keynote address.
PPS is always looking for people interested in guiding walking tours in our Children's Heritage Education Program. While the annual training takes place in September, anyone interested may start their training by shadowing tours during the upcoming spring term: March 30 - June 12. Please contact Kathleen McAreavey at kmcareavey@ppsri.org or call 401-831-7440, ext. 103 for more information.
Fall Term for Children's Heritage Education Tours Ends Crisply
Over 600 students from throughout Rhode Island schools participated in architectural walking tours this fall. Seventy-one students were from Providence schools. Our last tour on November 20 was on a crisp fall day for Narragansett Pier School. We were concerned about the comfort of the students, chaperones, and docents being outside during the recent cold snap but were quickly reassured once we saw how well prepared everyone was. Especially, after the teacher, Sue Craven, recalled that last year's tour took place during a sleet storm! That detail seems to have conveniently escaped our memory! We look forward to seeing the students return for the spring term: Monday through Friday, 10-11:30am, March 30 - June 12. Teachers may contact Kathleen McAreavey at kmcareavey@ppsri.org or call 401-831-7440, ext. 103 for more information.
| Events
 
PPS is bringing back the much loved Holiday Festival and moving it Downtown!
The weekend long event will include horse-drawn carriage rides, a special tree lighting ceremony, holiday bell ringers and carolers, mulled cider, roasted chestnuts, and other seasonal merriment.
On Saturday, December 6th, the PPS Downtown Holiday Festival will showcase 11 stunning lofts, located in seven historic buildings that have undergone dramatic restorations!
Over the last several years, historic downtown Providence has been in the midst of an incredible transformation with the conversion of former department stores and commercial buildings into dynamic living spaces.
On December 6th, 11 private residences will be open to the public from 11am to 4pm. Join us for a superb tour that will feature an outstanding medley of homes, ranging from an exquisitely appointed penthouse, to sleek loft spaces and artists' studios.
Providence is nationally recognized for having one of the most intact and historically significant, nineteenth century downtowns in the nation. Tour goers will experience award winning restorations, visually stunning architectural details and breathtaking views of the magnificent Providence skyline.
The Festival will be ushered in with a Patrons' Reception at City Hall on Friday, December 5th from 6 pm to 9 pm. On Saturday, December 6th, the celebration continues with a tour of downtown homes adorned for the holidays from 11 am to 4 pm. The celebration continues afterwards with a procession through downtown culminating at City Hall for the tree lighting. In partnership with the City of Providence, the annual tree lighting with Mayor Cicilline at City Hall will be held in conjunction with the PPS annual tree lighting on Saturday afternoon at 6 pm.
PPS, in cooperation with the Providence Foundation, Providence/Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Downtown Merchants Association and Shop Downcity, is promoting a Buy Local campaign through its Holiday Festival. Historic Downtown Providence's local merchants will be open for business throughout the day during the Holiday Festival to give tour goers an opportunity to get some early holiday shopping in. Many businesses will have musicians in their stores to entertain the crowds. For more information on local businesses, visit Shop Downcity or Providence Downtown.
Tickets for the Patrons' Reception are $100 (includes a ticket to the Saturday tour). Saturday's tour is $25 in advance ($30 day-of);
To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.ppsri.org/holidayfestival
Hampton Inn & Suites Providence
Hotel Providence
Parker Thompson, Inc.
Partridge Snow & Hahn, LLP
Providence Revolving Fund
Washington Trust Bank
Holiday Festival Partners: |  
This event is partially funded by The Providence Tourism Council
Save the Date: PPS Annual Meeting, January 22, 2009
PPS will welcome Donovan Rypkema to Providence for what promises to be a riveting discussion about historic preservation and economics. For more information on Donovan, visit his website: http://www.placeeconomics.com/blog.html. |
Volunteer Opportunities
Holiday Festival Event Volunteers-December 6
Downtown, Providence
PPS is in need of volunteers to assist as building captains, house captains, house guides, route guides, and also with hospitality, at the Downtown House Tours and Downtown Stroll for our Holiday Festival Event. Volunteers are needed on Saturday, December 6, 11am-1:30pm or 1:30pm-4:00pm. Please contact Barbara Zdravesky for more information or to sign up.
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.
| | Community Notes
Available for Rent at Shakespeare's Head, 21 Meeting Street
Commercial tenant sought for lovely garden-level office space in historic building. Of approximately 400 square feet, 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. Monthly rent is $800. Terms: Long-term, triple-net lease. Contact Kristi Agniel at 401-749-5008.
Two outdoor parking spaces in tandem (for two cars). Monthly rent is $200. Terms: First and last month's rent in advance; month-to-month rental; minimum 15 days' notice to terminate by either party. Contact Arria Bilodeau at 831-5995 extension 712 or arria@rentri.com.
Location: Convenient to Downtown, Courthouse, State House, College Hill and RISD.
Owner: Shakespeare's Head Association.
Availability: Immediate.
| Organizational Update
Annual Appeal
A reminder that PPS's annual appeal has been sent out: Please respond generously, as it is an important source of needed revenue for continuing our advocacy, education, and preservation programs. All donations to PPS are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. If you would like to become a member or contribute to PPS, please contact us by phone 401-831-7440 or send us an email to info@ppsri.org. | CORRECTION: In our Fall 2008 Preserving Providence newsletter we incorrectly implied that the Fidelity Foundation and the Rhode Island State Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission funded the exterior renovations of the First Baptist Church in America located on North Main Street. Actually, funds from those sources were used to bring the building up to fire code. No funds from the Fidelity Foundation or the State Historic Preservation Commission are being used for the exterior restoration. Also, since we went to print, there has been a change regarding the front doors. They will be some shade of, as yet undetermined, green; not gold. Color experts cautioned that the original idea of gold will not go well with the color decided for the body of the Meeting House. We regret our error and hope that they did not
cause any unfortunate repercussions for the First Baptist Church.
| | | | |
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