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PEOPLE AND PLACES
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Preserving the past Ask Rhode Islanders what they love most about the Ocean State and you’ll probably get as many different answers as people you spoke to. Ask them about the most striking aspects of the state’s rich history and it gets even more interesting. “We get inquiries from people all across the country on the Roger Williams Root; it’s probably one of the most talked about pieces in our collection,” said Kathy Clarendon, director of Development and Public Relations for the Rhode Island Historical Society. As the story goes, nearly 200 years after Roger Williams passed away, his body was exhumed in order to provide him a proper burial. Instead of finding bones, those working on the project discovered that the root of an apple tree had entered his coffin. From this, legend grew that the apple tree had eaten the remains, generating a root in their place. Today, the root is on display in the carriage house of the John Brown House, visited by people from all over. The Rhode Island Historical Society, a certified non-profit, was founded in 1822 and remains one of the oldest historical societies in the United States. Dedicated to preserving and displaying the artifacts that have shaped our state’s history, the Society plays the leading role in making these items accessible to the community. “We’ve researched over 500 historical societies in Rhode Island alone,” said Clarendon. “Our goal is to collaborate with everyone to ensure that historians and researchers alike have access to incredible items in one place - it’s really the biggest things we’re focused on right now.” Housed in the famous Aldrich House on Benevolent Street, the Rhode Island Historical Society also operates the John Brown House Museum, the Rhode Island Historical Society Library, and maintains the Museum of Work and Culture in Woonsocket. Both the Aldrich House and the John Brown House Museum are National Historic Landmarks.
The Society holds the largest and most important historical collections relating to Rhode Island. Its collections include some 25,000 objects, 5,000 manuscripts, 100,000 books and printed items, 400,000 photographs and maps, and an astounding 9 million feet of motion picture film. “One of the things that I have found so interesting is that everyone who has their hands in our collection is drawn to different items,” said Clarendon. “There’s really something here for everyone interested in history; it’s a true treasure trove.” To make sure that its collections are accessible, the Society has created RHODI - the Rhode Island History Online Directory Initiative. This project serves as an online directory that brings the state’s historical community together. “We have everything from recordings of traditional ethnic music to antique tea cups, to the plaid shirt worn by Governor Garrahy during the Blizzard of ‘78 and one of the two original charters granted by the English acknowledging Rhode Island as a colony,” says Jim DaMico, special collections curator. Just this past summer, DaMico completed cataloging the most compre16 | PrimeTime
hensive inventory of graphics materials in the Society’s history - a project that began more than five years ago and included over a quarter-million items. “This project was incredibly important because it allowed for better control over what we have,” said DaMico. “As a result, people from all walks of life, including students working on research papers and historians, can find information more easily.” According to DaMico, one of the most interesting finds of the project was an old autochrome, one of the rarest and most fragile of photographic processes. Representing the birth of color photography, the autochrome used upwards of 4 million potato starch grains per square inch as the emulsion agent. The process was used extensively to document World War II. In order to do its work, the Rhode Island Historical Society relies on support from the community; something that has become more of a challenge due to the economy. Over the past few years, what support the organization did receive from the state and from the city of Providence has been cut drastically. “What I’d like people to most understand is that we’re not a state organi-
The Rhode Island Historical Society’s main offices are located in the historic Aldrich House on Providence’s East Side. Built in 1822, the home is recognized as a National Historic Landmark. (Photos courtesy of the Rhode Island Historical Society)
Among the more than 400,000 photographs held by the Rhode Island Historical Society, this silver gelatin print taken by Walter L. Beasley, circa 1937, is from the Group Portraits Collection. zation,” said Clarendon. “We’re trying to do more with less while working harder and smarter and relying more heavily on our members, foundations and organizational friends for help.” In addition to the financial support the organization receives from the community, volunteers play an important role in what they’re able to do. As history remains a hobby enjoyed by many, the Society is always actively looking to engage more volunteers in its work. Volunteer opportunities abound, including tours of the John Brown House and of Providence given by volunteer docents. There are also administrative opportunities and special products that the staff does not have the time for. Many of the items cared for by the Society are donated by Rhode Islanders. “People generally don’t want to throw away old things that may have historical significance or be valuable,” said DaMico. “We always encourage folks to contact us and let us know what they have that they’re interested in giving to us.” Once the Society is contacted by an interested donor, the Collections Committee arranges to look at the items to make sure they fit within the collection
guidelines, and that they can be properly cared for and displayed. On Saturday, Oct. 13, the Society will host their first-ever “What Cheer Day” with a theme of Rhode Island at War. At all four of its sites, the organization will host a variety of special events and interactive activities for people of all ages. More information, including how to register, can be found on their website at www.RIHS.org. Those interested in becoming involved with the Rhode Island Historical Society, whether as a member, donor, volunteer or to donate items, are encouraged to contact Kathy Clarendon at 331-8575. “We have a lot of incredible pieces, but also need continued support in order to preserve them for the long-term,” Clarendon said. “So much of our democracy’s history started here in Rhode Island and I think people would be amazed at what we have to offer. We’re proud of our work to ensure that these historic items remain safe and appreciated.”
October 2012