PROVIDENCE – A statewide preservation nonprofit, working with the R.I. Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission, last week announced a five-organization study intended to identify “best practices” in maintaining historic sites.
Along with studying the organization’s efforts to preserve historical sites, Preserve Rhode Island’s Business Planning project will help each develop a new business plan. Those plans will lead to the creation of a comprehensive business-plan template, which will be available to Historic Sites Coalition of Rhode Island members.
“The current economic crisis significantly stresses historic site organizations, many of which already operated on shoestrings and now find their futures very challenged,” Preserve Rhode Island Executive Director Valerie Talmage said. “The business planning project will suggest ways historic site organizations might succeed – both by adopting site-specific business plans and by exploring the benefits of affiliation – including joint venture, partnerships and creative strategies to work more efficiently.”
The five organizations are:
• Linden Place, Bristol.
• Pettaquamscutt Historical Society, Kingston.
• Hearthside, Lincoln.
• Babcock-Smith House, Westerly.
• Smith’s Castle, Wickford.
R.I. Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission Executive Director Edward F. Sanderson said the historic-site preservation is a challenge for nonprofits and community organizations. “This project will offer guidance on the business fundamentals of operating and sustaining historic sites.”
