The Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission
presents The 22nd Annual Statewide Historic Preservation Conference
tomorrow, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., at sites across Pawtucket.
Titled “Something Old, Something Green,” the day-long program will look at the exchange between historic preservation and sustainability. Conference goers will study issues relating to renewable energy installations in historic places, sustainable historic landscapes and applying the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System to preservation projects, among other topics. Participants will hear from experts in the field, tour historic sites and network with counterparts from around the state. The event will begin with the presentation of the 2007 State Preservation Awards in a 9 a.m. ceremony at Tolman High School Auditorium, 150 Exchange St. This year’s awards and their winners are: The Antoinette F. Downing Volunteer Service Award, activist Karen L. Jessup of Providence, “for her longstanding service on behalf of historic preservation.” The Frederick C. Williamson Professional Leadership Award, Charlotte Eschenheimer Johnson of Newport, executive director of the Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation, “for her achievements in saving, restoring, promoting, and interpreting the historic and natural resources of Rose Island.” The John H. Chafee Public Service Award, former Gov. Lincoln Almond and Gov. Donald L. Carcieri – plus an Advocacy Award, Providence Preservation Society, and a Project Award, SAGE Hospitality Resources – “all for the inventive collaboration that resulted in the long-anticipated restoration of the Masonic Temple in Providence” as a luxury hotel. Advocacy Award, Stop Wasting Abandoned Property (SWAP) “for their 31 years of work to revitalize by example in their South Providence neighborhood.” Artisanship Award, preservation carpenter Robert Mende, “who set the standard in Providence for the highest quality woodworking.” Stewardship Award, the Town of Barrington, for its “efforts on behalf of the majestic Town Hall.” Plus Project Awards honoring the restoration of five local landmarks: • Touro Synagogue in Newport, honoring Congregation Jeshuat Israel and the Touro Synagogue Foundation “for their painstaking restoration of the oldest synagogue in North America.” • Pawtucket City Hall, honoring the City of Pawtucket for its restoration of this Art Deco building. • John Waterman Arnold House, honoring the Warwick Historical Society “for the dramatic project which restored their endangered [18th-century] headquarters building.” • The Lonsdale Village Revitalization in Lincoln, honoring Valley Affordable Housing Corporation for its rehab of six historic mill buildings. •17 Gordon Ave. in Providence, honoring the South Providence Development Corporation for its “rehabilitation of the Gordon Avenue Business Incubator according to preservation standards and ‘green’ goals.” Admission is $35; registration will be accepted at www.preservation.ri.gov/conference or at the door. The conference is funded by a National Park Service grant – administered by RIHPHC and the City of Pawtucket – and by the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission, developer Struever Bros., Eccles & Rouse, and by donations from a number of other organizations. To register or for more information, call 732-1009 or visit www.preservation.ri.gov/conference. Walk-in registrations also will be accepted.
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