PPS 34th Festival of Historic Houses in RI This Weekend

Saturday, June 08, 2013

Stefanie Hayes, GoLocalProv Contributor

Rhode Islanders can glimpse preservation from two perspectives this weekend, with the Providence Preservation Society’s (PPS) 34th annual Festival of Historic Houses. Across two days (rain or shine), the PPS will showcase Monohasset Mill’s converted lofts and living spaces, and the East Side’s grand era houses, and First Church of Christ Science.

Festivities will commence with an organ performance and “behind-the-scenes” organ demonstration at the First Church of Christ Science on Saturday at 10 a.m., followed by tours of Prospect Street’s private homes. Sunday, residents of the adapted artist’s town of Monohasset Mill will open their living spaces to the public. “MonoMill’s” historic Steel Yard and Box Office will also welcome visitors that afternoon.

New: Monohasset Mill

The decision to showcase Monohasset Mill marks a shift from previous festivals where, excluding last year’s venture into the Jewelery District, all tours were confined to the East Side. “We feel that this shows an additional and very powerful way that preservation can create a unique sense of place in a city and preserve the unique character of Providence,” said Arria Bilodeau, co-chair of the festival’s planning committee

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The residents of Monohasset Mill themselves encouraged the PPS to hold one of their tours there. “They were so enthusiastic about their experiences living in a converted mill that they contacted the PPS a year in advance,” said Bilodeau.

Bilodeau said she thinks the tours of Monohasset Mill will be one of the main attractions this year. Originally a commercial area, the region was purchased in 2002 by a group of artists and converted into 38 live/work artist condominiums. They restored many of the buildings’ original features and salvaged materials from historic sites, to preserve the region’s historic feel. “The interiors of each of these spaces—12 units will be open to the tour goers—are creatively, energetically different from the other. We’re really excited to show our tour goers a new way of looking at preservation.”

Highlight: A secret garden

The “look over the wall” into Marie Elizabeth Sharpe’s Garden is another novel facet of the tour. Stretching the entire block between Prospect and Congdon Street, Sharpe’s garden has continued to be tended to by her own gardner, even after her death. Sharpe also left her mark in other regions of Providence, as the founder of the Mary Elizabeth Tree fund, which provides the city with trees, and part of the movement to create India Point Park.

Aside from showcasing the lifestyles and beauty found in different areas of Providence, the festival is also an educational venture. Providence’s East Side is a major site for the PPS’ Historic Markers Program, wherein the society awards markers to homes that have been well-preserved or restored in keeping with the time period. These markers will be highlighted on the weekend tours.

Bilodeau said she thinks it the festival has also become a major attraction for the city. “Tourism here is attracted by the quality of its historic architecture and spaces, she said. “This tour, year after year after year, highlights that important aspect of Providence.”

All the details

Houses and gardens on Prospect Street will be open Saturday, June 8th from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Lofts and surrounding tours at Monohasset Mill will be open Sunday, June 9th from 11a.m.–4p.m.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.ppsri.org. Those purchased in advance are $35 per day for PPS members/$40 per day for non-members. Advance two-day tickets are $75. Day-of tickets are $45. 

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