NEWPORT, R.I. — Newport took home three of the 10 Rhody Awards for Historic Preservation handed out by Preserve Rhode Island this year, and residents still have a few days to weigh in on one more prize.
The statewide nonprofit honored this year’s group on Sunday, Oct. 25, in a ceremony held at Providence’s WaterFire Arts Center. An outside panel drawn from history, architecture, development and preservation circles chose the winners.
One Newport winner came out of a disaster. After fire struck the Agassiz Mansion at Castle Hill Inn in February, Kirby Perkins Construction had it repaired in about three months, even working through a blizzard. Crews recreated damaged butternut woodwork in the bar, kept as much original trim as they could and restored the outside. The job earned a Community Impact Award.
A second Community Impact Award went to a lead-paint project. With help from the city, the Newport Restoration Foundation hired Heritage Restoration to study how historic buildings can meet Rhode Island’s tougher lead safety rules. That work produced two handbooks, one for homeowners and one for building pros, and both are now used across the state.
The third honor, the Frederick C. Williamson Professional Award, recognized stewardship of Salve Regina University’s historic properties, including fundraising that landed $202,000 from the J. Paul Getty Trust.
The awards program is in its 17th year. Each winner has a short video online next to the Audience Award ballot, and voting closes at noon on Friday, Oct. 30.
