The next outing planned for JHS members is to the RI statewide Historic Preservation Conference in Wickford on Saturday, April 30.

This is an excellent conference which moves to a different location in the state every year and this year it will be right across the Bay from Jamestown in Wickford. The program lasts a full day, with talks, colloquia and tours.

Some of the highlights of the conference are –
Keynote Speaker Dr. Joanne Pope Melish will peak about how the institution of slavery indelibly shaped South County,

Discussions on the region’s ancient Indian villages and landscapes, shell fish heritage, artists’ communities, food industry, & the impact of sea level rise on historic coastal communities, and

Tours of historic sites – Casey Farm, Gilbert Stuart Birthplace, & Smith’s Castle.
A summary of the conference can be found in this overview. The complete program can be viewed here. A number of the tours are already sold out, so please act promptly. There is a $40 fee, which includes lunch. If you are planning to attend, please email Jim Butterick, so that we may look for you and gather at lunch. Because the conference has so many events at various times, it may be difficult to arrange a carpool, but if you need a ride, let Jim know, and we will do the best we can.