Hearthside - The House That Love Built

SUSTAINABILITY OF HISTORIC SITES SUBJECT OF PRESERVATION CONFERENCE WORKSHOP

A recent cover story of the New York Times warned that historic sites across the country are looking for new ways to remain relevant and economically viable. So, it was a natural topic for a workshop discussion at the 22 nd Annual Rhode Island Statewide Historic Preservation Conference held on April 14, 2007 in Pawtucket, RI. And it was obviously a hot topic as this was one of the most heavily attended sessions during the day-long conference.

Kathy Hartley, President of Friends of Hearthside, was invited to be a panelist for “The Long View: Sustainability for Historic Sites,” along with Trudy Coxe, CEO of The Preservation Society of Newport County, and Christopher Bickford, Director of the Pettaquamscutt Historical Society. Each panelist offered their views on the challenges they face with their respective sites and the different ways they have successfully met the challenges thus far. But all expressed a serious concern about what the future holds in order to sustain their sites, in terms of funding, volunteers, and audiences. Between the cost of programs, repairs, maintenance and staffing, operating a museum is not cheap. Add to that dwindling interest among visitors as well as diminishing funding, and no matter how important the buildings are, they risk being closed and being made available for private purchase. It is already happening at popular sites such as Colonial Williamsburg; can Rhode Island’s famous Newport mansions or unique historic homes such as Hearthside be far behind? The warnings are loud and clear; we must work together to develop strategies to overcome these obstacles.

During the session, it was announced that Preserve Rhode Island, a statewide nonprofit historic preservation organization, is taking the lead for the establishment of a collaborative network among site managers of historic sites. Known as the Rhode Island Historic Sites Coalition, it will establish communication between house museums and historic sites throughout the state and encourage cross-promotion and the exchange of ideas. It will also provide a resource to enable stewards of historic sites to be aware of best practices and options for their sites.

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