Upcoming
PPS Events
September 9
Mayoral Candidates' Debate on Preservation Issues
September 16
Ten Most Endangered Properties Photography Exhibit Opening
October 2
The Benefit on Benefit
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| | | Note from the Executive Director
 Dear Friends of Preservation,
I am thrilled to be writing to you in my first full week at the helm of the Providence Preservation Society. As a native Rhode Islander, I have known of PPS since childhood. I have watched with keen interest as historic preservation changed the face of the Providence, transforming first the residential neighborhoods of the East Side, and later our city's historic commercial center and the beautiful and vibrant neighborhoods of the West Side. Growing up here transformed me as well, as the architectural richness of Providence inspired me in my education and career.
Today, our capitol city is known nationally for its renaissance, due in large part to the vision of our organization's founders, who recognized that Providence was possessed of a unique beauty and sense of place that made it a great community in which to make a home, raise a family, or start a business. It was also clear that this was a fragile inheritance, easily lost, one building at a time, and worthy of preservation.
Preservation is every bit as relevant today as it was in 1956 when PPS was established. A new generation of residents and homeowners, attracted by the beauty of our neighborhoods and the scale and architectural variety of our city, has come to call Providence home. We now know something that our grandparents took for granted - that historic communities are sustainable communities, and that preservation is not just about saving architectural treasures, but preserving the diverse and vibrant life of our city, as we all add our own stories to the history of Providence. Every house, every storefront, and every school, whether from 1860 or 1960, contributes in its own way to this rich tapestry.
I hope to meet many of you in the weeks and years to come. I'll take the opportunity to share some thoughts each month in this newsletter, and I look forward to running into you while enjoying, and being inspired by, all that is great about Providence.
See you in the city.
James Hall
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Preservation
SAVE THE DATE: Mayoral Debate
PPS and the Providence Revolving Fund will host a mayoral debate on Thursday, September 9 from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Providence Public Library, 150 Empire Street. Candidates will discuss preservation issues critical to Providence's economic vitality, sense of place, and continued neighborhood development. If you have preservation-related questions you would like the candidates to address, please e-mail them to Kathleen Philp, Preservation & Advocacy Coordinator, at kphilp@ppsri.org.
Ten Most Endangered Properties
SAVE THE DATE: Photography Exhibit Opening Reception
Thursday, September 16, 5:00 p.m.
Chabot Fine Art Gallery
379 Atwells Avenue
Providence, RI
 Since 1994, the Ten Most Endangered Properties photography exhibit has showcased striking photography of threatened local buildings by some of the most talented photographers in Rhode Island. This year's show will feature the work of Jan Armor, Michael Cevoli, Ryan Conaty, Andrew Dernavich, Stephanie Ewens, Adam Hall, Deborah Hickey, Brian McDonald, Frank Mullin, and Traer Scott.
PPS is excited about partnering with Chabot Fine Art Gallery on this year's exhibit. Chabot Fine Art Gallery will present the exhibit from September 9 - October 16, hosting the opening reception on Gallery Night, Thursday, September 16, from 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
In recognition of the importance of this annual exhibit, the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) has awarded PPS a grant in support of this year's presentation.
The annual Ten Most Endangered Properties List is compiled from nominations submitted by members of the community. Its purpose is to generate interest in and support for the preservation of threatened significant structures in Providence. For the complete 2010 Ten Most Endangered Properties List, including details on each property, click here.
Spotlight: Kendrick-Prentice-Tirocchi House (1867)
 Located at 514 Broadway, the iconic Kendrick-Prentice-Tirocchi House is often referred to as the "Wedding Cake House" for its elaborate Italianate style. The mansion's most prominent occupants, the Tirocchi sisters, operated A. & L. Tirocchi Dressmakers in the house from 1915 to 1947, catering to wealthy clients and employing women from Italian American families in the area. The house, inhabited only sporadically for the past 63 years, shows obvious signs of neglect and deferred maintenance. Community leaders and neighborhood organizations are developing ideas for its restoration and inventive re-use.
Update: Cathedral of St. John (1810)
 The Cathedral of St. John and Diocesan Properties have been on PPS's Ten Most Endangered Properties List each year since 2007; the church tower is deteriorating and the plaster on interior walls is cracking and crumbling. In mid-July the PPS Planning and Architecture Review (PAR) Committee met with Reverend Harry Krauss, Dean of the Cathedral of St. John, to tour the cathedral and discuss diocesan restoration plans. The committee came away reassured that the diocese is committed to preserving this architectural treasure. Reverend Krauss is determined to carry out long-deferred maintenance and has made the cathedral's restoration a priority for the congregation.
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Upcoming and Notable
 SAVE THE DATE... THE BENEFIT ON BENEFITSaturday, October 2, 2010 Watch in the September e-newslettter for more information about this elegant autumn fundraiser to benefit PPS programs.
SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, December 4
2010 Holiday Festival The beloved Holiday Festival will be held this year on Saturday, December 4. Stroll through beautiful historic houses, take in educational programming, and celebrate holiday cheer. More details to come on our website and in future e-newsletters. |
Member News
July 22 Business Membership Event:
Keith Stokes on Rhode Island's Economy After the Recession
 Keith Stokes, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, spoke on Thursday, July 22 to over 50 PPS business members and community leaders.
Following a half hour of networking, Mr. Stokes presented an informative and compelling lecture on the state of the economy in Rhode Island, including a discussion of the state historic tax credit program, and gave attendees an opportunity to ask questions and express concerns. PPS is pleased to bring together community leaders and policy-makers around critical preservation and economic development issues. GTECH generously hosted the event at their downtown corporate headquarters.
To learn more about Business membership, e-mail Lauren Goldenberg, PPS Development Coordinator, at lgoldenberg@ppsri.org, or visit the Business membership page on our website.
Join us as a member!
Click here to become a member, renew your membership, or learn more about membership. |
Volunteer Opportunities
Join the PPS team as a volunteer this autumn! PPS is looking for volunteers to assist with general office/clerical tasks, including but not limited to answering a multi-line phone, greeting visitors, working on special projects, assisting with mailings. Experience with Microsoft Office programs a plus. Help needed Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Volunteers must be pleasant on the phone and able to handle multiple tasks at once. Please email your interest and availability to info@ppsri.org.
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Community Notes
"Old House Soul" to Premier at the Rhode Island International Film Festival
Saturday, August 14, 5:00 p.m.
VMA Arts & Cultural Center
1 Avenue of the Arts, Providence, RI 02903
Don Manley and Michel Schtakleff's documentary examines the life and work of Steve Tyson Sr. (1942-2008), a Rhode Island preservationist whose company, Architectural Preservation Group, is responsible for restoring and preserving hundreds of historic buildings and houses across Rhode Island. The documentary is an homage to his legacy and the tradition of architectural preservation in Rhode Island. Click here for more details about the film.
Placemaking Meets Preservation
 The Project for Public Spaces and the National Trust for Historic Preservation have teamed up to promote a new vision for the future (and past) of American communities. Read about this partnership here.
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