FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 4, 2006
Morgan Devlin Chris Ahearn Erin Angell
Newport Restoration Lowe’s Companies Inc. National Trust
(401) 849-7300 x14 (704) 758-2304 (202) 588-6218
morgan@newportrestoration.org chris.b.ahearn@lowes.com erin_angell@nthp.org
Rhode Island Windmill Receives Prestigious Restoration Grant from Lowe’s
The historic Robert Sherman Windmill has been selected to receive a $25,000 grant from the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation through a fund administered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In a highly competitive process where a total of 10 grants were issued across the entire northeast, the Sherman Windmill was chosen for its significant contribution to an understanding of 19th century farm life in Rhode Island, and New England as a whole.
“Lowe’s is proud to support organizations aligned with our mission of improving the places where our customers, employees and families live, work and play,” said Larry D. Stone, chairman of the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation. “Focusing on priority projects of the National Trust for Historic Preservation enables us to make dramatic and long-lasting improvements to these communities.”
"The Sherman Windmill helps us to understand the complex nature of 19th century farming and to maintain a connection with our ancestors on Aquidneck Island," commented Robert Foley, Preservation Director for the Newport Restoration. Mr. Foley will over see the project, which will replace the shingled bonnet roof of the windmill, using a combination of wood shingles and copper. The restoration will be done by an expert on historic mills, Andy Shrake, from East Dennis, Mass., who has undertaken several previous projects on the Sherman Windmill. It is the last in a series of projects that began in 1999 to bring the windmill back to operating condition. In 2003, the Sherman Windmill received a grant from the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission to replace the sail panels and stocks.
“This generous grant from Lowe’s will complete the restoration of the 1812 Robert Sherman Windmill in Middletown, R.I.,” said Wendy Nicholas, director of the Northeast Office of the National Trust. “We are delighted to help cap off the restoration of this charming and fascinating piece of America’s history.”
Originally built in Warren, R.I., in 1812 for the distillery trade, the Sherman Windmill is a smock mill with two sets of grinding stones; an eight-sided structure that tapers inward as it rises to about 30 feet. The windmill was moved several times during its active years – a common practice because windmills were extremely valuable machinery and were easier to move than to build from scratch. The Sherman Windmill was moved to Fall River, Mass., and then to two sites in Portsmouth, R.I., before it became outmoded and was abandoned. Purchased by the Newport Restoration Foundation in 1968, it was moved to its current site at Prescott Farm where restoration work took place between 1970 and 1972.
Once common to Aquidneck Island, mills similar to the Sherman Windmill were essential to farming life in the 1800s. The Sherman Windmill is one of three such structures remaining in Rhode Island from dozens that existed in the 19th century. The windmill is open to the public as part of educational programs and tours of Prescott Farm, a 37-acre site of 18th and 19th century history. Prescott Farm also offers colonial herb and vegetable gardens, historic buildings, walking trails, and public green space.
The Newport Restoration Foundation was founded in 1968 by Doris Duke, an heiress, and preservationist who made Newport her summer home. The Foundation is a non-profit institution who mission is to preserve, interpret, and maintain landscape and objects reflecting Aquidneck Island’s 18th and 19th century architectural culture. The foundation is actively engaged in educational efforts, scholarly research and historical preservation.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a private, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to saving historic places and revitalizing America's communities. Recipient of the National Humanities Medal, the Trust was founded in 1949 and provides leadership, education, advocacy, and resources to protect the irreplaceable places that tell America’s story. Staff at the Washington, D.C., headquarters, six regional offices and 28 historic sites work with the Trust’s 270,000 members and thousands of preservation groups in all 50 states. For more information, visit the Trust’s web site at www.nationaltrust.org.
Lowe’s is a proud supporter of Habitat for Humanity International, American Red Cross, United Way of America, and the Home Safety Council, in addition to numerous non-profit organizations and programs that help communities across the country. Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation awards more than $4.5 million annually to diverse organizations across the United States. Lowe’s also encourages volunteerism through the Lowe’s Heroes program, a company-wide employee volunteer initiative. Lowe’s is a FORTUNE® 50 company with fiscal year 2005 sales of $43.2 billion and has more than 1,225 stores in 49 states. For more information, visit Lowes.com/community.
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