Welcome to The East Greenwich Historic Preservation Society!

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” 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 restored it.

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.
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!

Fun Facts

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow purchased the Windmill Cottage on Division Street for his friend, Professor George Washington Greene. He also was instrumental in having the windmill attached to the house to serve as a study for Professor Greene.

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General Lafayette visited often at the Varnum House. He and General Varnum were very good friends. The northeast bedroom in the house is still called the Lafayette Room.

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