Donate to our Annual Fund

A meaningful donation to our 2021 Annual Fund will help us continue with programs and projects that support the unique architectural and cultural fabric of Warren.  

This year we were able to finish projects that were delayed by the pandemic.  Happily we reunited with our membership in person at Burr's Hill Park and at the Historic Warren Armory for the Warren Walkabout. 

Over the past year we: 

         Hosted a virtual presentation on Warren’s very own female baseball pioneer Elizabeth “Lizzy” Murphy with historian and educator Jay Hurd.  

      Installed an exhibit in the Town Hall lobby of historic bird’s-eye view images of Warren taken from the steeple of the Methodist Church by artist Henry Cady in 1888 and architect Lombard Pozzi in 1988. This exhibit and a permanent hanging system were funded by RI State Legislative Grants.    

        Under the guidance of archival consultant Jessica Rogers-Cerrato, we processed and stored our collections, and also assisted in a digital exhibit on artist Henry Cady which was funded by the RI Council for the Humanities.

     

        Held our 2021 Annual Meeting & Elections outdoors at Burr’s Hill Park.  The meeting, which included a presentation on Warren’s pre-colonial history by member David Weed, was our first in-person meeting in over a year.  

    

         Purchased a painting of the Massasoit Ousamequin, Chief Sachem of the Pokanokets, and a painting of the Sowams Village with additional funding from the Jay Barry Cultural Arts Group.      

          Presented seven historic house markers to the following historic properties: Jeremiah Brown House, c.1793 (92 Water St); John Hubbard House, 1870 (43 Church St); Jonathan Bowen House, c.1792 (49 Church St); John Hoar House, c.1842 (50 Washington St); Alger-Maxwell House, c.1805-c.1835 (262 Water St); Samuel Brown House, c.1877 (27 Sowamsett Ave); and Allen & George Brown House, c.1853 (31 Federal St). The house markers were presented to the home owners at the Historic Warren Armory during the Warren Walkabout.   

   

       The Warren Middle Passage Project, headed by members Pat Mues and Sarah Weed, succeeded in adding the names of nine African American soldiers to a new Honor Roll plaque.

       Sadly Elizabeth “Bonnie” Warren passed away on August 8, 2021. Instrumental in the 1975 Statewide Preservation Report on Warren, Bonnie’s dedication to preservation in Warren and her affection for our community will always be remembered.  We are grateful that she donated her collection of slides and Warren related material to WPS.  

As always, we are thankful for the support of our members and our friends in this fabulous historic community.

 

 Happy Holidays to all from WPS! 

Warren Walkabout & Historic House Marker Awards

This year we are proud to join the Historic House Marker presentation with the popular Warren Walkabout on Sunday, October 24 and Sunday, November 7 from 12-4 p.m. at the Historic Warren Armory.  We are awarding markers to the homeowners of the following properties:

Jeremiah Bowen House, ca. 1793 -- 92 Water Street

John Hoar House, ca. 1842 -- 50 Washington Street

John Hubbard House, ca. 1870 -- 43 Church Street

Allen & George Brown House, ca. 1853 -- 31 Federal Street

Jonathan Bowen House, ca. 1792 -- 49 Church Street

Alger-Maxwell House, ca. 1805-ca.1835 -- 262 Water Street

Samuel Brown House, ca. 1875 -- 27 Sowamsett Avenue

Please visit us at the Historic Warren Armory to view the house makers and to learn more about these beautiful historic properties.  The Armory will be open for tours and the Sowams Heritage Project will have two recently acquired paintings depicting Massasoit Ousamequin and the Pokanoket time settlement on display.  

WACC Community Art Project--Warren History

The Warren Arts and Culture Commission is hosting a community art project this summer and is asking local (Warren) artists to complete one-foot square paintings inspired by the history of Warren, RI. The painted wood panels will cover the north side of this structure at Burr's Hill Park/Warren Town Beach.

The theme of the art project is our town's multi-layered history--maritime and shipbuilding, manufacturing, commercial and agricultural. Celebrate Warren's citizens past & present...from the indigenous peoples who called Sowams home, to the colonial era, shipbuilders and millworkers, farmers and summer residents, and to all of us who call Warren home today.  

 

LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION?  

Visit the Discover Warren website to view shopping, dining and historical venues or stop by DISH boutique at 155 Water Street and pick-up a walking map of historic Warren. Take a walk through our historic district and check out our Historic Site Markers and our historic architecture.  

Click on the following links for history and images from Warren's past. 

Warren 250th Anniversary Book (comprensive history of Warren with images and maps)

Historic Warren (website contains links to Warren historic organizations

Sowams Heritage Area (information about Sowams and Warren's indigenous past)

Follow Warren Preservation Society on Facebook and Instagram and browse our past posts to see a variety of historic images.  

Participants can pick up art kits on Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, August 1 from 11-5 at The Collaborative, 498 Main Street, Warren RI.  Completed pieces are to be returned to the gallery Saturday, August 14 and Sunday, August 15.  

All ages are welcome! Art must be original and be appropriate for all ages.  The finished artwork will be installed over Labor Day Weekend.