Local Preservation

Community preservation efforts vary from grass-roots coalitions to save a historic property to the creation of institutional and governmental bodies. These organizations include local museums, historical and preservation societies, neighborhood associations, and local historic district commissions that serve cities and towns. While all of these groups may seek financial and technical assistance from the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission, they operate without RIHPHC involvement.

Museums, historical and preservation societies, neighborhood associations, and local historic district commissions differ significantly in their roles in preservation. Museums like Smith's Castle in North Kingstown are generally centered around a building or group of buildings, or a specific collection of artifacts. Historical societies like the Hopkinton Historical Association are primarily concerned with keeping records of the history of an area through archives of photographs, papers, and artifacts. Eighteen towns and cities in Rhode Island appoint local historic district commissions to oversee changes in historic areas. 

For questions on local historic district commissions and Certified Local Government certification, please contact Jeffrey Emidy.