This week Steve and I had James B Hall, Executive Director of the Providence Preservation Society. Formed in 1956 to stop the demolition of a number of 18th- and 19th-century houses on College Hill, PPS has grown from a small neighborhood group to a multifaceted citywide preservation organization. If you have ever wondered what the inside of some of the grand homes on Blackstone Boulevard looked like, now you are in luck; On June 3rd and 4th, The Providence Preservation Society is holding their annual Festival of Historic Houses focusing on the Blackstone neighborhood. Lined with historic houses shaded by stately trees, and enjoyed by residents and visitors alike, The Blackstone neighborhood was one of the last parts of the city to be settled. An extension of the trolley line to Swan Point Cemetery turned the neighborhood into one of the most desirable addresses in the city. Created in 1894, with landscaping by the influential Landscape design firm The Olmsted Brothers, Blackstone Boulevard introduced one of the first elements of the City Beautiful movement in Providence. The trolley stopped running in 1948, but the walking path where the trolley tracks used to be continues to make this neighborhood a vibrant and popular destination. From the stately Georgians and Colonial Revivals to sleek Mid -Century homes, this year's self-guided house tour offers a glimpse into some of the private houses that give "the Boulevard" its rich history and grandeur. The tour starts at Lincoln School, 301 Butler Avenue, Providence. Ticket holders will also receive admission to guided walking tours, and a lecture on the history of the Boulevard presented by Kathy Cavanaugh, Preservation Consultant. This Week's Real Estate Insight: Preserving architecture is a great way to stabilize neighborhoods and create revenue, both municipally and by driving tourism. Visitors to The Mansions in Newport alone generate over 100 million dollars for the region every year. Adaptive reuse of historic buildings is a great way to practice sustainability too. PPS works hard to help improve the quality of life in the city of Providence through historic preservation and the enhancement of the built environment, and The Tour is a great way to support their efforts.PPS to tour Historic Blackstone Neighborhood
- By Michael McCann
- Posted
This week Steve and I had James B Hall, Executive Director of the Providence Preservation Society. Formed in 1956 to stop the demolition of a number of 18th- and 19th-century houses on College Hill, PPS has grown from a small neighborhood group to a multifaceted citywide preservation organization. If you have ever wondered what the inside of some of the grand homes on Blackstone Boulevard looked like, now you are in luck; On June 3rd and 4th, The Providence Preservation Society is holding their annual Festival of Historic Houses focusing on the Blackstone neighborhood. Lined with historic houses shaded by stately trees, and enjoyed by residents and visitors alike, The Blackstone neighborhood was one of the last parts of the city to be settled. An extension of the trolley line to Swan Point Cemetery turned the neighborhood into one of the most desirable addresses in the city. Created in 1894, with landscaping by the influential Landscape design firm The Olmsted Brothers, Blackstone Boulevard introduced one of the first elements of the City Beautiful movement in Providence. The trolley stopped running in 1948, but the walking path where the trolley tracks used to be continues to make this neighborhood a vibrant and popular destination. From the stately Georgians and Colonial Revivals to sleek Mid -Century homes, this year's self-guided house tour offers a glimpse into some of the private houses that give "the Boulevard" its rich history and grandeur. The tour starts at Lincoln School, 301 Butler Avenue, Providence. Ticket holders will also receive admission to guided walking tours, and a lecture on the history of the Boulevard presented by Kathy Cavanaugh, Preservation Consultant. This Week's Real Estate Insight: Preserving architecture is a great way to stabilize neighborhoods and create revenue, both municipally and by driving tourism. Visitors to The Mansions in Newport alone generate over 100 million dollars for the region every year. Adaptive reuse of historic buildings is a great way to practice sustainability too. PPS works hard to help improve the quality of life in the city of Providence through historic preservation and the enhancement of the built environment, and The Tour is a great way to support their efforts.
