When the Colonel Micah Whitmarsh House, the Brick House, at 294 Main Street, East Greenwich, was to be razed to make way for a parking lot, a number of the townsfolk foresaw what the future could hold. Already the Old Town Hall had disappeared and a number of lovely old houses had been demolished to make way for nondescript purposes. The whole character of the town was going to change if this were allowed to continue.

In 1967 the East Greenwich Preservation Society was formed, primarily to acquire and save the Brick House. The building was refurbished, financed with money obtained from dues, donations, grants and bank loans, and became a working asset of the town.

In 1969 the “Old Kent County Jail” at 110 King Street was scheduled to be torn down or moved to change the traffic pattern on Water Street. The Society rallied in support of the Jail, purchased the structure and it remains on its original site as the headquarters of the East Greenwich Historic Preservation Society.

Note: The East Greenwich Historic Preservation Society has removed the reproduction carved figures of the black and white shackled prisoners on the front of the “Old Jail” building in East Greenwich, as they could be viewed as insensitive or offensive. The reproduction statues are currently safe and we will soon open discussions with members as to where they will, with appropriate signage, be displayed next.

Your membership and participation are the most
important parts of our organization! Join Today!

Ongoing Projects

Encouraging the protection and preservation of buildings, neighborhoods, documents, photographs and items of historic significance.
Monthly programs which are open and free to the public.
Continued restoration of the Old Jail.
Sponsoring programs that foster community growth.
Publishing The Packet, a newsletter with in-depth history of the Town.
Participating in educational and civic events.

Help Protect and Preserve the History of
East Greenwich, Rhode Island!

Donate to the East Greenwich Historic Society!

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September 28

The Woman’s Suffrage Movement in Rhode Island: The Quest for Equality

Russell J. DeSimone will cover events relating to women's suffrage from the early 19th century right up to 1920 and the ratification of the 19th ...

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Fun Facts

Frederick Douglass spoke at the East Greenwich Academy in 1888.

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Benjamin Franklin was a frequent visitor at the Greene Farm on Love Lane. His friendship with Governor William Greene and his wife Catherine brought him here for many visits.

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