Historical Society to explore local historic homes
Few homes in Johnston are steeped with as much history as the Clemence-Irons House that sits at 38 George Waterman Road.
It was the house built by farmer Richard Clemence in 1691, and features a unique roof design entitled “stone ender,” a building type that was first developed in the western part of England and later became commonplace in colonial Rhode Island.
The home, which was also known as the Edmond Manton House, is on the United States National Register of Historic Places.
Perhaps that’s just a few of the reasons officials of the award-winning Johnston Historical Society are so excited about next Wednesday evening’s monthly program that will feature two highly-knowledgeable speakers and officials from Historic New England.
“Everyone has been talking for several months about this program,” said Anthony Ursillo, a member of the JHS Board of Directors who also schedules speakers. “We are looking forward to hearing and learning much, much more about Clemence Irons House and Historic New England.”
Ursillo said next Wednesday’s (Oct. 25) presentation will take place at the Museum Barn, located next to the Elijah Angell House at 101 Putnam Pike in Johnston and will begin at 7:30 p.m. once the non-profit finishes the business part of its monthly meeting. The presentation is also open to the public and there is no charge for admission.
He also announced that Historic New England will be represented by Melanie Weston, Preservation Manager for Milton Properties and South Region and Dan Santos, the Regional Site Manager for Historic New England and maintains an office at both the Arnold House in Lincoln and Casey Farm in Saunderstown.
Santos will speak about Historic New England’s Rhode Island properties, most notably the Clemence-Irons House while Weston, who is also the non-profit’s New England Preservation Manager for Eustis Estate and Southern New England, will talk about recent preservation projects at the Clemence-Irons House.
Those who attend what promises to be a highly-entertaining and educational program will learn that the Clemence-Irons House is one of 36 historic properties owned and operated by Historic New England which is the oldest, largest and most comprehensive regional heritage organization in the nation.
“Historic New England shares the region’s history through vast collections, publications, programs, museum properties, achieves and family stories that document more than 400 years of life in New England,” Santos said.
He also explained that the Clemence-Irons House is a rare surviving example of a “stone-ender” as well as one of the oldest houses in Rhode Island.
The building is also an important record of 20th century restoration ideas and methods and was originally a one-and-a-half-story house that had four rooms on the ground floor as well as a massive stone chimney at the western end and a steep gable roof that extended over the rear lean-to.
Santos said that by 1938 the house had grown to 13 rooms and Norman Isham, a noted preservation architect and authority on colonial RI dwellings, was commissioned to remove later alternations so the house could be presented on the authentic example of a late 17th century house.
Also during next Wednesday night’s program will be discussion about the Arnold House built by Eleazer Arnold in 1683; the historic Casey Farm located at 2325 Boston Neck Road in Saunderstown where there’s an annual Coastal Growers Market and is often the site of school class field trips; and the Watson Farm, rich coastal farmland built in 1789 by Job Watson that is still a unique 265-acre property and still a working family farm in Jamestown.
Santos brings 15 years of experience working in the museum industry and is responsible for historic site management, museum education and visitor services. He received a BA in history from Villanova University and lives in the historic Caleb Gorton House in Warwick with his wife Sarah, a daughter Maeve, 4, and son Hugh, four months.
Weston, on the other hand, holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Mills College as well as a Master’s Degree in Historic Preservation from Clemson University and the College of Charleston. She manages conservation, preservation and maintenance projects at 10 Historic New England properties including the Clemence-Irons House.
