Past Projects



Samuel Randall House 


The Samuel Randall House (31 Baker Street), built shortly after 1808, is a structure with classic Federal era proportions.  The house was built for Patty Maxwell, the daughter of James Maxwell, a wealthy ship merchant and her husband Samuel Randall. When the organization purchased the building in 1998 it had aluminum siding and most of the architectural details had been removed.  After an architectural survey was completed in 2001, WPS was able to begin structural repairs to the building.  Structural repairs included chimney restoration, replacement of the roof and, electrical and heating system upgrades, as well as a complete restoration of the windows and the exterior.  The garage and the monitor have also been completely restored.

In 2019, with almost all of the restoration on the property completed, WPS decided it was time to return the building to private ownership. The proceeds from the sale of the Samuel Randall House will be used to fund future projects and programs.



Oral History Project


The Oral History committee completed two major oral history exhibits:  "Warren: A Point of View" and "A Place Apart: The Evolving Landscape of Touisset."
The first project revolved around a collection of nine interviews with Warren residents that were members of the generation born between the depression and the Second World War that are known as the "Silent Generation". The exhibit opened on November 14, 2013 and was a collaborative show with Imago Foundation for the Arts also featuring artistic impressions of Warren. The exhibit was well attended by the families of the interview subjects, the public and was a field trip destination for third grade students from Hugh Cole Elementary School.  
The second project began with a collection of twelve interviews with ties to the Touisset area of Warren, representing both the farming and the summer colony communities of the area. The interviews lead to an exhibit titled "A Place Apart: The Evolving Landscape of Touisset" which opened at Touisset Point Community Club on May 19, 2016.  The exhibit was moved to the Historic Warren Armory where is was featured at the Warren Walkabout in November 2016.  The documentary film based on the interview is available for purchase on our Shop page. 

The Mill Project

  
In 2009, Deborah Baronas partnered with the Warren Preservation Society to study the textile mills and workers who helped shape the community of Warren, Rhode Island. Funded in part by The Rhode Island Council for the Humanities, The Warren Mill Project was born, featuring artwork, historical research, video and music. The Project has developed into an ongoing investigation of the mills and the people who helped build the textile industry in this country.
The Warren Mill Project made its debut on the evening of Thursday, September 16, 2010.  An opening reception was held for the exhibit on the third floor of the former Warren Manufacturing Mill (aka American Tourister Mill). 
 The evening was the culmination of months of effort put forth by Ms. Baronas, Mr. Greenwood, Mr. Doug Hinman, and the members of the Warren Preservation Society responsible for coordinating, organizing, and installing this inspiring exhibit.  The opening reception was very well attended not only by members of WPS, but also by the community as a whole.   
The Warren Mill Project moved to Imago Gallery at 36 Market Street, Warren, from September 28th to October 10th and continued at the Cutler Mills, 30 Cutler Street, Warren from mid-October through December 2010.
Follow the link below to view a video chronicling the inspiration behind the exhibit as well as scenes from the installation and opening night: 

For more information on Deborah Baronas visit her website:  http://www.baronasart.com/

Download PDF of Warren Mill Project 








Download PDF Walking Tour map of North End