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    From the President's desk . . .

November 2003
    Dear Members,

    Fall is in full swing and the holidays will be here before we know it. Keep in mind that the December meeting will be a Holiday Party, dinner, and entertainment provided by 'Tony, the Dancing Cop!' Thanks to Billie Arden for organizing this event. We hope to see many of you on December 8 at Newman Church.
    Ray Anderson, Grounds Committee, has met with Steve Connors to work out a way for the Rhode Island Community Gardens and the Master Gardeners to work together with the historical society.
    Membership: We have 2 new members who will be introduced at our next meeting. We will be introducing new members at our monthly meetings so everyone feels welcome.
    Dave Kelleher, Preservation Committee, reports that the Substance Abuse Council will move into the Weaver House, Grove Avenue, when the restoration is completed.
    The lease for the Williams/Brown House, Hunts Mills Road (next to the John Hunt House) was up on October 31, 2003. It has been proposed that the house be rented and the income used for projects in the master plan for the Hunts Mills area. We will keep you informed!
    Looking forward to seeing you at the November meeting.

                Kris Rose

Complete Committee Reports

PRESERVATION COMMITTEE - David Kelleher, Chairman

The grounds around the Weaver House, Grove Avenue, have now been cleared of all bushes. Herb Rogers, East Providence Planning Department, is in charge of the project. Here are the items that he forsees to be corrected.

  1. The exterior of the house will be painted. The lead paint is very thick but is scaling and can be removed by scraping rather than by sand blasting. The clap boards are in good shape.
  2. New gutters (Yankee type) are needed.
  3. The front steps will be removed and restored, historically, including new wooden columns.
  4. A new roof is needed.
  5. The west side porch will, hopefully, be repaired. It is very large and includes many wooden columns and railings.
  6. The heating system is in excellent shape except for the boiler which needs to be replaced.
  7. All the windows will be replaced with 'Pella Windows' which are historically correct.
  8. A number of inside walls, installed by the city years ago, will be removed. The woodwork will be refinished, fireplaces restored and the stair case repaired.
Herb Rogers is open to all suggestions. He is happy that the house will be restored and said that it is well built. The city has approved $175,000 for the restoration. Hopefully, there will be enough money to do all that has to be done.

GROUNDS COMMITTEE - Ray Anderson, Chairman

  • Progress continues on Phase III of the John Hunt House grounds project. Hopefully, 90% of all the stone work, grading and seeding will be done before winter sets in. Joe Crook, Parks and Recreation Director, reports that the city will paint and re-roof the 'Meter House'. Joe and his crew has done a quality job. Please check it out!
  • The historical society board approved the purchase of 1000 daffodils to be planted in beds prepared by the Parks Department along Hunts Mills Road. Girls Scouts from St. Margarets Church along with other volunteers will do the planting.
  • Plans are underway to build a memorial summer house (gazebo) at the site of the former 'Tea House' near the small parking lot. Details forthcoming as they unfold.