FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 2024
CONTACT
Lauren Craig
Newport Historical Society Installs New Members at Annual Meeting
Benson and Streator Join, Newhouse Renewed as President
NEWPORT, RI – At their 2024 annual meeting, the Newport Historical Society Board of Directors voted to welcome Dan Benson and Kathryn “KK” Streator to the Board and renewed its slate of officers: Douglas Newhouse as President, Dwight Sipprelle as Vice President, Nancy Brickley as Treasurer, and Anne F. Hamilton as Secretary.
“At a moment of growth and progress for the Newport Historical Society, we are incredibly grateful for the dedicated partners who believe fully in our mission and are willing to give their time and expertise by serving on the Board,” said Executive Director Rebecca Bertrand. “As the state prepares for our 250th anniversary and Newport embraces our efforts to make history more accessible and inclusive, it is an exciting time for us to be leading this work together.”
Benson is the senior director of network and systems engineering at the Middletown-based KVH Industries, Inc. Streator is a founding partner at Noosphere Marketing, a digital marketing agency. As members of the Board, they will provide fiduciary oversight and strategic counsel on the organization’s properties and programs, which have seen exciting developments in 2024, Bertrand’s first full year as executive director.
Speaking to the board and a group of more than two dozen NHS members present for the annual meeting, Bertrand celebrated the successes of the past year, including the engagement of 255 first-time donors and 135 new members, who join the ranks of more than 650 people whose membership helps support NHS programs. The NHS has hosted 28 programs and 259 walking tours so far this year, with more than 21,000 people in attendance across programs, tours, and museum visits.
Particularly noteworthy in 2024 is a series of initiatives aimed at centering Black and Indigenous experiences in Newport history. After a February launch of the Voices from the NHS Archives database, which involves the ongoing digitization of more than 4,000 records and counting, the NHS brought the historic record to life with a first-of-its-kind exhibition in May that paired records and artifacts from their vast collection with a compelling collection of contemporary art.
Building on the success of this work, they launched in August a $4.5 million capital campaign to create a center for Black history at the 327-year-old Wanton Lyman Hazard House, one of six treasured properties under the care and stewardship of the NHS.
“Momentum and enthusiasm for our work and vision continues to grow as we provide new and interesting ways for people to connect with Newport, our history, and our neighbors,” added Bertrand. “Whether you’re a history buff or an art lover, a tourist or a teacher, or you’re just curious about the past, we have something to offer, and we invite you to join us because there is so much more wonderful work to come.”
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About the Newport Historical Society
Founded in 1854, the Newport Historical Society is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the rich history of Newport County. Our six treasured properties and extensive collections, featuring manuscripts, decorative arts, and photographs, span five centuries. We engage the community and make history more accessible through tours, educational programs, a museum, and a library. Join us in exploring and learning about our shared heritage, supported by a passionate team of historians and volunteers. Learn more at www.NewportHistory.org.