Warren Preservation Society Fund

“Preservation starts with passion but you need nuts and bolts to support it,” says Eileen Collins, president of the Warren Preservation Society (WPS). “Warren didn’t see itself as a Benefit Street but newcomers could see the town through a different lens—they saw historic properties just waiting to be restored.”

A 1974 survey by the Rhode Island Historical Preservation Commission identified the most significant historic properties in Warren, establishing the historic district. There was no wealthy part of town—many large homes on Main Street had already been demolished. It was a working-class town split by rail tracks. With the survey, things started happening. WPS began as a voluntary group to keep Walgreens from demolishing four historic buildings on Main Street.

The location of Warren has influenced its development from the beginning of colonial history. For a community almost completely dependent upon maritime commerce, the opening of the American Revolution threatened ruin, but Warren recovered. By the mid-19th century, textile manufacturing had been introduced into Warren, accelerated by the introduction of steam power. In 1847, the Warren Manufacturing Company constructed its first stone mill on the north end of Water Street to make sheeting and shirting—the textile industry dominated Warren’s economy well into the twentieth century.

Kristin MacDonald, the only paid WPS staff, is currently involved in blocking a proposal on Water St. A developer wants to tear down existing houses to build a 5-story 21-unit apartment building with some affordable housing. “It’s very modern and large in comparison to the rest of the town—Warren is built to a certain scale, with retail and housing intermixed. It’s a dilemma given the need for affordable housing,” says Kristin.

WPS has supported two oral history projects: The Warren Mill Project focuses on the people who built the textile industry. The Middle Passage Project, documents the role African-Americans played in the building of Warren. “We have members who are so interested in delving into history; we get new people interested and involved.”

In 1998, WPS bought and slowly but totally restored the 1808 Samuel Randall House; in 2019, with the restoration complete, they returned it to private ownership. The proceeds of the sale will fund future projects. “We wanted to do something wise with the money—it was a lot for our small organization to manage,” says Eileen. “Our Fund at the Rhode Island Foundation will benefit WPS and Warren far into the future.”