The Historical Society held its 2010 Annual Meeting on September 16th in the Colony House on Washington Square.
The Society elected three new Trustees for three year terms and a slate of officers for the following year. A full Board of Directors list can be found here.
Outgoing President Richard I. Burnham was presented with a facsimile of one of the Society’s important manuscript maps: an annotated depiction of a battle in Newport harbor in 1776.
Mr. Burnham spoke of his ten year involvement with the Society, and of the progress that he had witnessed and helped foster. Guest speaker Jorgen D. Siemonsen presented the Historical Society members with a new theory regarding the construction of the stone tower in Newport’s Touro Park. Using data from earlier archeological digs, aerial photography, and a survey of historical records, Siemonsen suggested that the existing tower was constructed in the 1750s, using stones from Benedict Arnold’s 17th century windmill, which had stood, possibly in ruins, adjacent to the new structure.
Incoming Board President Dennis MacCoy closed the meeting with brief remarks focusing on the expectation that the Historical Society will continue to build on its recent growth in audiences and income. Siemonsen’s theory ensured that a lively conversation continued into the reception in the Great Hall of the Colony House that followed the meeting.
Richard and Monte Burnham chat with Lilly Dick and Jorgen Siemonsen.
The Historical Society’s Annual Report for 2009-2010 will be available after October 30th.