Massachusetts Town Greens


Book Description

The state of Massachusetts still has and continues to celebrate its town or village greens. These greens date back to Colonial times where they served as the physical and spiritual centers for these early towns. Today many town greens continue to be the center of town events, fairs, and other gatherings. Massachusetts Town Greens explores the history of these remarkable greens and provide a guide to current events.




American Girl


Book Description

Mary Cantwell, an editor and a popular columnist for the The New York Times, recalls her childhood in the small seaside town of Bristol, Rhode Island, during the 1940s and 50s. Here, too, is the story of a small town girl who loved her home, but felt drawn to a wider world.




Rhode Island 39 Club


Book Description

After writing two best-selling travel books, Adirondack 102 Club and Connecticut 169 Club, CT author Martin Podskoch turned to his neighboring state and published RHODE ISLAND 39 CLUB Your Passport and Guide to Exploring Rhode Island. He again encourages readers to veer off the beaten path and discover Rhode Islands secret and lovely places that main roads do not reveal. With 39 invites to scenic vistas, picnic sites, fresh-water swimming holes, salt-water beaches, museums, amazing architecture, 400+ years of history, and local eateries of every description for fun in The Ocean States 39 towns and cities. The book is laid out in a crisp, inviting format. Locals in each town wrote a short history and interesting places to visit. Podskoch encourages readers to meet locals and businesses etc. and get their passport book signed or stamped. Visit all towns and earn Rhody Red patch award at annual dinner where all are invited to attend.




Interpreting Slavery at Museums and Historic Sites


Book Description

Interpreting Slavery at Museums and Historic Sites aims to move the field forward in its collective conversation about the interpretation of slavery—acknowledging the criticism of the past and acting in the present to develop an inclusive interpretation of slavery. Presenting the history of slavery in a comprehensive and conscientious manner is difficult and requires diligence and compassion—for the history itself, for those telling the story, and for those hearing the stories—but it’s a necessary part of our collective narrative about our past, present, and future. This book features best practices for: Interpreting slavery across the country and for many people. The history of slavery, while traditionally interpreted primarily on southern plantations, is increasingly recognized as relevant at historic sites across the nation. It is also more than just an African-American/European-American story—it is relevant to the history of citizens of Latino, Caribbean, African and indigenous descent, as well. It is also pertinent to those descended from immigrants who arrived after slavery, whose stories are deeply intertwined with the legacy of slavery and its aftermath. Developing support within an institution for the interpretation of slavery. Many institutions are reticent to approach such a potentially volatile subject, so this book examines how proponents at several sites, including Monticello and Mount Vernon, were able to make a strong case to their constituents. Training interpreters in not only a depth of knowledge of the subject but also the confidence to speak on this controversial issue in public and the compassion to handle such a sensitive historical issue. The book will be accessible and of interest for professionals at all levels in the public history field, as well as students at the undergraduate and graduate levels in museum studies and public history programs.







The Fales Family of Bristol, Rhode Island


Book Description

Haliburton Fales, son of Samuel and Abigail Haliburton Fales, was born 5 February 1815 in Boston, Massachusetts. On 8 April 1847 he married Elizabeth Jane Beal, daughter of Joseph and Margaret McDowell Beal of Philadelphia. The will of Haliburton Fales was probated in Boston, Massachusetts on 7 April 1873. Ancestor James Fales emigrated from England and was settled in Dedham, Massachusetts as early as 1651. He married Anne Brock, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Brock of Dedham, on 28 July 1655. James died at Dedham 10 July 1708. Descendants lived in Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and elsewhere.







Bristol, Rhode Island


Book Description

During the 318 years since the town's founding, Bristol has endured a number of severe natural disasters and other devastating trials, only to triumph in the end. At first bombed, raided, and burned by the British, in later years Bristol saw the collapse of her banks and the painful demise of local industry. In addition, disastrous storms have pounded her shores, at one time destroying the town's commercial fleet. Through all this, however, Bristol has endured, a testament to the tenacity of the town's colorful citizens. From adventurous privateers and wealthy industrialists to hardy fisherman and skilled laborers, members of the Bristol community have struggled and succeeded together.




Art & Industry in Early America


Book Description

This book presents new information on the export trade, patronage, artistic collaboration, and the small-scale shop traditions that defined early Rhode Island craftsmanship. This stunning volume features more than 200 illustrations of beautifully constructed and carved objects—including chairs, high chests, bureau tables, and clocks—that demonstrate the superb workmanship and artistic skill of the state’s furniture makers.




The Economics of Historic Preservation


Book Description

Since it was first published in 1994, The Economics of Historic Preservation: A Community Leaders Guide has become an essential reference for any preservationist faced with convincing government officials, developers, property owners, business and community leaders, or his or her own neighbors that preservation strategies can make good economic sense. Author Donovan D. Rypkemareal estate consultant and nationally known speaker and writermakes his case with 100 "arguments" on the economic benefits of historic preservation, each backed up by one or more quotes from a study, paper, publication, speech, or report. In this eagerly awaited 2005 edition, he gives these arguments even more clout by adding new information and insights gained in the last decade. Count on Rypkema to be entertaining, provocative, and convincing as he describes and demonstrates how strategies that include preservation help communities make cost-effective use of resources, create jobs, provide affordable housing, revive downtowns, build tourism, attract new businesses and workers, and more.