Organization of the Week: Jamestown Historical Society

Every Monday, I highlight a non-profit related to history or the arts, a historical society, preservation group or friends group whose main objective is to promote the historical and artistic history of New Jersey and surrounding areas.

This week, I am featuring the Jamestown Historical Society. Founded in 1912, the Society was formed to ensure the maintenance and preservation of the 1787 windmill in Jamestown, Rhode Island. The mission of the Society is to collect, preserve, and share with others the heritage of Jamestown, Rhode Island. In addition to the windmill, in 1997, the Society accepted responsibility for a 1786 Quaker Meetinghouse, which is open occasionally throughout the year. The Jamestown Historical Society's headquarters and museum is located in a town-owned building, originally constructed as a school in 1886.

The Society produces four public summer events to promote interest in the town's history. The Society creates summer exhibits for its museum and maintains a display case and exhibits in the local library. They have recently digitized and catalogued over 4,500 items in their collection, housed in a temperature-controlled vault. In 2005, the Society acquired at auction the town's founding land agreement, dating to 1657. The document is now on display in the Jamestown Town Hall.

The Jamestown Historical Society relies on memberships, fundraising, and countless volunteers to continue its mission. For more information on programs, special events, and exhibits hosted by the Jamestown Historical Society or to become a member or volunteer, please call 401-423-7202 or visit www.jamestownhistoricalsociety.org.

If you are a member of a non-profit organization or know of one that you would like to see featured on this site, please let us know in the comments or send an e-mail to kelly@thehistorygirl.com.