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And a Racial Schism within the Rhode Island Women’s Club After the successful fight to desegregate Rhode Island public schools in 1866, the Meeting Street primary school continued to serve as a de-facto segregated school for children of color living in the neighborhood, and Elizabeth Howland Smith remained on as its principal and lead teacher….
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As part of our educational mission, PPS nearly always has student interns in the office assisting with special projects and learning about historic preservation advocacy in Providence. Meet the cohort of hard-working interns who contributed to PPS’ work this summer! Colin Prancl is from Voorheesville, New York and is a rising senior pursuing a major…
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This is my last message to you, our closest friends and supporters. As I reflect on my nearly ten years at PPS, I am very proud of what we’ve accomplished together. Your engagement has made everything possible. The knowledge of what we are doing to preserve Providence’s historic places, press for quality new buildings, elevate…
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PPS is seeking a highly organized Training Manager for 15-20 hours per week to develop and manage programs aimed at teaching construction and maintenance skills related to older houses. The Training Manager is the first point of contact for participants in the new Building Works program and will be a critical public face for the Providence Preservation…
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In 2023, PPS is once again joining Rhode Island’s day of giving – an opportunity to unite our community around causes in which we truly believe and help nonprofit organizations connect to the larger community. Please join our 401Gives campaign and help us launch Building Works, our initiative to train the next generation of preservation…
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For 56 years, the Meeting Street School (primary and grammar) provided a formal education to Black students in Providence. When it opened, it was the only free public school for students of color, and it remained one of the very few options available to Black and Indigenous families throughout the 19th Century. Under the leadership…
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A Biography of Elizabeth H. Smith, Black Principal of the Meeting Street Primary School In March of 1865, a year before Rhode Island’s schools were legally desegregated, an opinion piece appeared in a Providence newspaper arguing that separate schools for Black children were just as good as those for whites. The author asserted, “Our Meeting…
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Elizabeth Howland Smith Internship Program The Providence Preservation Society welcomes student interest in the Elizabeth Howland Smith Internship Program during the summer of 2023. This paid internship provides career exploration opportunities for curious students from backgrounds historically excluded from jobs in the fields of historic preservation and cultural heritage. Students will explore key areas of…
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