NEW: Preserve RI Turns Over Ownership of Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum
GoLocalProv News Team
NEW: Preserve RI Turns Over Ownership of Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum
“Preserve Rhode Island and Blithewold, Inc. share a deep appreciation for this unique property. It is a national treasure entrusted to our care here in Rhode Island. The Boards of Directors of both organizations are to be commended for their forethought in restructuring the ownership of this remarkable property in a way that significantly strengthens our joint commitment to protect and preserve Blithewold for public use for generations to come. Careful thought went into designing the easement to preserve this precious place forever. We are confident this heightened level of protection for her family’s beloved Blithewold would have delighted Marjorie Lyon,” said Valerie Talmage, Executive Director of Preserve Rhode Island, and Karen Binder, Executive Director of Blithewold, Inc in a joint statement.
According to Blithewold's most available tax filing for the 2016 year, the organization had more than $10 million in assets. And, Preserve RI has about $12 million according to it's 2015 IRS filing.
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Preserve Rhode Island has owned and stewarded the property since 1976.
It opened the home and grounds to the public in 1978.
Blithewold, Inc. has managed the site through a long-term lease arrangement with Preserve Rhode Island since 1999.
To make sure the property is permanently protected, Preserve Rhode Island will hold a comprehensive conservation and historic preservation easement.
The easement will preserve the property and ensure that any changes to the structures and grounds will be done according to national preservation standards.
Blithewold Mansion
The property comprises a 45-room mansion, multiple gardens, a nationally recognized arboretum with specimen trees, a bamboo grove, a greenhouse, and the 10-acre Great Lawn that slopes to the entrance of Bristol Harbor with a view of the East Passage of Narragansett Bay.
Preserve RI also owns Lippitt House Museum, and headquarters at the Jeremiah Dexter House, as well as, the Philip Walker House in East Providence.
EDITOR'S NOTE: An earlier version of this story's headline implied that Blithewold's control was reverting to Preserve RI control. In fact, Blithewold is now under independent operation. We apologize for the error.
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