Hearthside - The House That Love Built

Preserve Rhode Island Honors Hearthside Volunteers

The Friends of Hearthside has been honored with a 2006 Preserve Rhode Island Merit Award in the category of Preservation Education & Advocacy.

2006 Merit Award Presentation

The award was presented at the 50th annual meeting of Preserve Rhode Island on October 26, 2006 at the First Unitarian Church in Providence.

Each year, Preserve Rhode Island honors outstanding historic preservation projects, programs and achievements by individuals and groups who exemplify sound historic preservation practices and support Preserve Rhode Island's mission to protect Rhode Island's historic structures and unique places for present and future generations.

In recognizing Friends of Hearthside, Preserve Rhode Island's awards committee noted that the Friends' efforts to promote preservation through its stewardship of Hearthside, the Hannaway Blacksmith Shop and the Chase Farmhouse, have helped bring positive public attention to a significant piece of Rhode Island history.

The committee also stated that, "The programs and activities produced by the Friends, as well as the level of commitment to making sure that every undertaking is professional and properly completed, demonstrate a strong organization that should consider itself a model for others."

Accepting the award on behalf of the organization was its president and founder, Kathy Hartley, and vice president, John Scanlon.

"For our volunteer group to be recognized by the preservation professionals is astounding to us, especially since we're so new at this," said Hartley. "Obviously, we are thrilled with this honor."

In addition to presenting a variety of programming that has attracted thousands of visitors to Hearthside and Great Road each year, the Friends group has successfully undertaken numerous restoration projects on the 1810 Hearthside homestead. They have also initiated ongoing activities at the Hannaway Blacksmith Shop, with weekly classes and demonstrations in handforging. Recently, their efforts are turning to the adaptive reuse of the Chase Farmhouse for a museum exhibit of dairy farming.

The text of the award follows:

PRESERVE RHODE ISLAND

2006 Preservation Merit Award

The Friends of Hearthside

Preservation Education and Advocacy Award

The Friends of Hearthside was founded in 2001 as stewards for Hearthside House, an historic property owned by the Town of Lincoln. The Friends are active and exemplary caretakers of the mansion and have successfully spearheaded fundraising efforts, restoration projects, and most importantly have implemented creative and sustainable use for the property.

The Friends have expanded their stewardship role to other historic properties in the Great Road Historic District.

As a volunteer organization, the Friends of Hearthside is to be commended for their thoughtful leadership in protecting, preserving, and promoting Lincoln’s irreplaceable historic places. Preserve Rhode Island is proud to present this award at its 50th Annual Meeting.

October 26, 2006

Signed:
Dennis F. Stark Janet K. Zwolinski
Chairman of the Board Executive Director

 

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