From the President's desk . . . January 2005

President's Letter Dear Members,     HAPPY NEW YEAR!!     I hope your holidays were good and that 2005 is as good if not better for you and your family.     The historical society is off to a good start with a $5,000 grant from the Rhode Island Historic Preservation Commission. The money will be used to begin restoring what was the 1905 Amusement Park Office Building at Hunts Mills. Thanks to Dave Kelleher, Preservation Chairman, for all the work he did in that regard.     We had a good turn out for the Holiday Party (61) and a good time was had by all. Thanks to Billie Arden for organizing it. She always comes up with good entertainment.     Edna Anness, society Vice President, is organizing a committee to put together an application to the American Chemical Society to recognize the contribution of the Rumford Chemical Works to the chemical industry. If you are interested in helping, contact Edna through the historical society, 438-1750.     The January members meeting will be held on Monday, January 24, 6 pm Newman Church. We'll have a Pot Luck Supper followed by a Brown Bag Auction. Bring your white-elephant item in a brown bag and see how much it will be auctioned for!     Kris Rose, President Preservation Committee By David Kelleher, Chairman     I met with Ed Catelli, Superintendent of city buildings, to give him information on the necessary forms and process by which we can obtain funds from the $5,000 grant the society received from the Rhode Island Historic Preservation Commission to restore the 1905 Amusement Park Office Building next to the Hunt House Museum. I also brought papers to William Conley, City Solicitor, to have him file an easement on the building stating that the city will maintain the building as a historic structure. I have been asked to appear before the city council on Tuesday, January 18 when the easement request is brought before the council.     Plans for the restoration of the Weaver House, Grove Avenue, and the Brown-Williams Cottage, Hunts Mills Road, continue. The painting of the exterior of the Weaver House and the beginning of the installation of a heating system, plumbing and wiring in the Brown-Williams Cottage will start early this spring.     At a meeting at the Waddington School, Legion Way, on December 15, a lease was signed between Exxon-Mobile and the American Lighthouse Foundation. About 30 people attended and began the process of forming a local chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation: The Friends of Pomham Rocks Light.     Greg DeMarco, Manager of the Riverside terminal of Exxon-Mobile, presented a check for $25,000 to Timothy Harrison of the American Lighthouse Foundation to start the fundraising effort to restore the light station and return the light to the tower.     There will be a second meeting with a few key people to organize a list of officers, set up some goals and begin the process of fundraising and opening the local chapter to the public for their participation. I will inform the historical society next month on how members can become members of this group.