Volume 15 Number 1 Winter 2019

The Babcock-Smith House MuseumNewsletter

Legend tells us that John Babcock and his wife Mary Law-ton ran away from their parents in Newport and eloped to Westerly, thus becoming the first European settlers in town. A group of men purchased Misquamicut, as the area was once known, from the Indian Sosoa in 1661. Westerly was incorporated as a town in 1669 and many local residents can trace their ancestry to these incorporators.

Simple math tells us that 2019 is Westerly’s 350th anniver-sary and, as such, a reason for celebration.

Since summer, the BSH Museum and the Westerly Histori-cal Society volunteers have perused and collected images, printed, researched, composed captions, mounted images and labels, moved furniture, created signage and done the other tasks involved with presenting the gallery exhibit en-titled Our Story: 350 Years. This exhibit will feature selected items from the collections of the two organizations and will be in the gallery of the Westerly Public Library from February 6 to the end of March.

We have made photocopies of early 1700’s documents such as an application for a pest house and a document signed by Stephen Hopkins, a signer of the Declaration of Indepen-dence. From bathing beauties in body-covering swimming costumes to skaters flourishing their curled ice skates, we have our history captured in photos.

Half-hulls and photos of steamboats built by Orlando Smith in one of the many shipyards which lined the Pawcatuck River capture a forgotten time.

A broken airplane propeller and photos document an unex-pected landing of a presumed rum-runner in the yard of a very surprised Dunn’s Corner’s farmer and his chickens.

Westerly High School yearbooks, storyboards from the Westerly Sun’s series on the granite industry, and other local items of interest will be available for folks to sit and peruse.

This exhibit is one of the five signature events of the Town of Westerly 350 Committee. A community-wide bell ringing event took place on January 1. A Gala at the Armory will be held May 17; the Time Capsule Reveal will be held in Wilcox Park on June 29. The time capsule was buried in 1969 at the Tercentenary celebration. On August 24 an Olde Tyme Country Faire will be held in Wilcox Park.

Throughout the year, all our programs will focus on Westerly history and will be free to the public. On December 1, our new documentary about Joshua Babcock, The Patriot from King’s County, will premiere and finish out our year.

Major funding for these events has come from Washington Trust, Yale New Haven Health/ Westerly Hospital, Professional Planning Group, Westerly Community Credit Union, Valenti Fam-ily Auto Dealerships, Dime Bank, Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce, Westerly Paints, Westerly Sun and Grey Sail Brewing. We are proud that many of these groups also directly support the Museum. The Town of Westerly and the 300th Committee also have generously supported this Celebration.

Celebrating Westerly’s 350th

John and Mary Babcock as interpreted by student art-ists in the mural at the Westerly Middle School.

Trustees: John B. Coduri, Chair; Maureen J. Bjorkland, Jacqueline F. Brennan, Susan Sullivan Brocato, Linda Smith Chaffee, Edward A. Fazio, Betty-Jo Cugini Greene, Stephen M. Greene, Ellen L. Madison, Ph.D., Anthony Gallup Smith. Official publication of the Orlando R. Smith Trust, DBA Babcock-Smith House Museum, published twice a year as a non-profit organization. Babcock-Smith House Museum, 124 Granite Street, Westerly, RI 02891 401-596-5704babcocksmithhouse.org

Page 2 The Babcock-Smith House Museumwww.babcocksmithhouse.org

Thank You to Our 2018 Docents, Members and Sponsors

Docent Sandra AbbottJean AielloDianne BabcockMeg BarclayMildred BeamIda BensonJacqueline Brennan*Sandra BermanWanda ButlerLinda Chaffee*Mary CoolBarbara CottonBetty-Jo Cugini-Greene*Marjorie DuerrCarol FazioEd Fazio*Ann FrinkSusan E. HayesClaire HoferFrances KellyMary KenistonCatherine LarshJohn Leach, Jr.Brenda LintonCarolyn G. LongoluccoEllen L. Madison, Ph.D.*Mary Ann McCartyDonna Kessel MillsMary MitchellBarbara MonahanNancy PenhallowJoseph PotterCarol PotterTally SardelliValerie SaylesLinda SchacknerAnnabel SherwoodJune SilvestriAnthony Gallup Smith*Gertrude SmithElaine SteidleAudrey ThorpJanice TunneyBarbara WeaverSharon Wright

Individual ($25-$49)

Rui AlmeidaElizabeth J. AndersonMrs. Hope Greene AndrewsJohn H. BabcockRalph BabcockBill and Barbara BarberHope BennErastus H. Benn, Jr.Hildegard J. BerchielliDan BlackstoneRobert R. BlinnDwight C. Brown, Jr.Mary BrunelleJane BuffumWanda ButlerJudith CarsonGeorge Champlin IIIMarie ClarkLes CrandallAlberta DevineMarilyn DwyerBarbara FallonMelinda FinalyThomas FoleyTom FoleyAnn E. Cilley-FrinkMargaret GabrieleSusan B. GaccionePaul Gencarella Jr.Joan GrinnellWinnie HamiltonCynthia HatfieldSusan L. HathawaySandra Hayden-HenryRoberta Mudge HumbleBilly Ann HutchinsFrances W. KellyJohn J. KoulbanisBriggs LarkinNancy R. LewisCharles McGrath IIIFrances A. MullerSanford NeuschatzMaureen NolanAlan PeckRachel E. Peirce

Lynn RadkeIrene L. RiederSusan M. SewallKaren SheldonElizabeth M. SmithEdith Chaudoin StahlbergerNicholas StenhouseAudrey ThorpJean R. VictorRose Marie Weston Family ($50-$99)

Thomas and Sandra AveryMr.and Mrs. James BabcockMark and Christine BabcockBill and Barbara BarberRuth and James BarnesJeffrey and Christina BensonMarc and Maria BernierThe Bruce Brawley FamilyBill and Diane BrownMrs. Thomas C. BurkeFrank and Donna CelicoRichard and Grace CoduriCassandra and David CrandallDavid and Lorraine DevaultMary and Bruno Di CeccoMildred DionAnne and Thomas DoyleRichard and Kay DudleyWayne and Julie EberlyEdith EglinDebbie Dowling and Curt EngdahlFrank Briel/Kevin FarleyWilliam and Sharron FergusonJane and Francis GencarelliPatricia GrandeJohn and Sandra GulinoThomas J. Gulluscio, Jr.Thomas Harris and Maureen ColemanKatherine HendrenMarianne C. HollyHelen JankoskiJames and Fran KnappVincent and Rosemary KubicskoBarbara and George LaFranceAnne and Thomas Liguori, Jr.

Celebrating Westerly’s 350th

IN CELEBRATION OF WESTERLY’S 350TH ANNIVERSARY ALL EVENTS ARE FREE

Gallery Opening--Our Story: 350 Years Wednesday, February 6 at 6 pm

Come see Westerly History illustrated by highlights from the collections of the Babcock-Smith House Museum and the Westerly Historical Society. The exhibit will run from February 6 through March 28 in the Westerly Library Gal-lery during regular library hours. Join us for the Grand Opening, preview the Babcock-Franklin documentary, and share in the refreshments.

At the Westerly LIbrary Art Gallery

125 Years of Westerly Library and Wilcox ParkSunday, March 31 at 2 pm

Presented by the authors of the bookAt the Carriage House

Smith Widows: Women with the Strength of StoneSunday, March 24 at 2 pm

Presented by Linda Smith ChaffeeAs part of Women’s History Month, learn how three “Orlando Widows” met the challenges of raising a family,

operating a business, and managing a home.At the Carriage House

Blue and White: The History of Basketball at Westerly High School

Sunday, February 24 at 2 pmPresented by Zachary Garceau

At the Carriage House

Early Westerly 1660-1720Tuesday, February 19 at 6:30 pm

Presented by Meg BarclayMeg Barclay, a direct descendant of Tobias Saunders who was an incorporator of the Town of Westerly, will re-

prise her earlier well-received program on the early history of Westerly.At the Westerly LIbrary Auditorium

Abraham LincolnSunday, February 10 at 2 pm

Presented by Judge Frank Williams, local Lincoln scholar. Judge Williams presents another fascinating program in his series on Abraham Lincoln.

At the Carriage House

A Postcard View of WesterlySunday, April 14 at 2 pm

Presented by Joseph CoduriEnjoy this special view of Westerly as seen through its turn-of-the-century postcards.

At the Carriage House

Richard Comolli, Master CarverSaturday, May 25 at 2 pmPresented by John Coduri

Learn how Richard Comolli continued the legacy of the Westerly granite industry into the 21st century.

At the Carriage House

Westerly Notables in Local Cemeteries (Repeat Presentation)

Monday, August 5 at 6:30 pmPresented by Babcock-Smith House Volunteers

See Above

Westerly Park/Downtown TourMonday, July 8 at 6:30 pm (rain date Thursday, July 11 at 6:30 pm)

Presented by Babcock-Smith House Museum volunteers

Join us for a reprise of our popular downtown tour of Westerly granite buildings, monuments and architectural features. This year we will be adding elements found in Wilcox Park.

Meet on the esplanade in front of the Columbus statue in Wilcox Park.

Westerly Notables in Local CemeteriesSunday, June 23 at 2 pm

Presented by Babcock-Smith House volunteersSince this is Westerly’s 350th birthday, we are celebrating the lives of some men and women who have made

notable contributions to our history. Walking through the various cemeteries would take forever, so come hear about these men and women, see their monuments, and then take your own tour.

At the Carriage House

Westerly 350: Pokemon Go Historical Walking Tour of WesterlySunday, June 9 from 1-2 PM

Join us for this multi-generational walking tour that brings the past 350 years alive through the mobile game of Pokemon Go’s local pokestops and gyms. Enjoy the stories of some of Westerly’s monuments, historical markers and more! Pokemon Go utilizes real-world locations of cultural and historical significance as ingame points-of-interest. Be prepared to be surprised by this enjoyable tour! Use Pokemon Go on your cell phone or look on with a friend.

Meet at Wilcox Park Gazebo.

Monument Hunters: a little travel, a little history, a little mystery.Sunday, October 13 at 2pm

Presented by John and Brenda LintonSince 2009, John and Brenda Linton have been traveling the United States authenticating the monument orders from The Smith Granite Company records. Using their photographs, they will share their technique, along with specific locations and personal stories about the folks who bought the granite stones.

At the Carriage House

Post Office Mural StorySunday, September 15 at 2 pm

Presented by Ellen MadisonOnce there was a WPA granite mural planned for the Westerly Post Office.

Whatever happened to it? At the Carriage House

The DAR and Westerly, Rhode IslandSunday, November 3 at 2 pm

Presented by Jackie Smith and Sandra BermanLearn the significance of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the empowerment that it gave women to make a difference in their communities over the past 125 years. Emphasis will be on the local chapter’s influence on Westerly, the nation and the world.

At the Carriage House

Premier of Babcock/Franklin VideoSunday, December 1 at 2 pm

Presented by Betty-Jo Cugini and Jim KarpeichikSee it here first! We are premiering the documentary of our own Joshua Babcock and his friend Benjamin Franklin. Written by Betty-Jo Cugini and “starring” trustees Ed Fazio and Tony Smith, this film is the result of much research and has been wonderfully filmed and edited by Jim Karpechik.

At the Carriage House

The Babcock-Smith House Museum Page 5www.babcocksmithhouse.orgStephen and Mary Jane LombardiMr. and Mrs. John R. LundgrenGirard LynnLucy K. MannMr. and Mrs. Lido J. MochettiJohn and Barbara MonahanDavid and Elizabeth PancieraPhil and Sally PancieraArthur and Helen PendletonJane Perry and Joe PaliottaAnthony and Mary RibeiroKathleen and Peter RichardsSue and Bob ReigerMr. and Mrs. Donald RobinsonKelli and Damien RocherolleAndrew and Jennifer RossTom and Elizabeth SantoroEunice R. SchonningCharlene SenicalBill and Judy ShillerMr. and Mrs. Nicholas J. StahlVirginia StaubleyDiana and Neil ThorpJoanna Burkhardt and Michael WakefieldKatherine Babcock Yates

Historian ($100-$249) Ripley and Sharon AndersonRichard and Teri BabcockSandra Christy BarkleySheilia and Tom BeattieDavid and Deborah BellEllen L. BellBob and Ida BensonSandra Berman

Joseph and Susan Brocato *John P. ClarkSally and James CudaMr. and Mrs. Joseph N. CuginiJohn and Virginia CurrieMelanie Waters DeglerMarjorie H. DuerrFrederick and Meredith EckelDavid and Marcia ErskineRichard and Cheryl FerrisChrista GardnerMary and Walter GrayLeslie J. HermanBarbara and Harry HigginsCharles and Jane HoldredgeRichard C. HollidayThe Rt. Rev. David B. JoslinMary KenistonKatherine Bell KrystinikJohn, Carol and Patti LeachDr. and Mrs. Allen LeadbetterJohn and Brenda LintonJohn W. MacomberMr. and Mrs. Merton L. MatthewsJohn and Rosalie MaxhamCharles and Barbara MehringerMary G. MitchellKathy C. NilesAnthony and Rosealba PaganoAnn and Hollis PetersenEugenia and Doug RaynerMr. and Mrs. David SaylesGeraldine SpillaneLois VarsJanet and Walter VirginskiJerry and Dorothy Walsh

Custodian ($250-$499) Dennis and Leigh AlgiereMrs.Margaret BarclaySamuel and Kimberly FrenchBetty-Jo Cugini * and Stephen M. Greene *Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. KirbyMrs. Carolyn G. LongoluccoJohn and Karin McCormick FDTNJoseph H. and Carol J. PotterDavid and Miriam PrigmoreSusan and Gene RenzMr. and Mrs. Christopher SmallJanice B. TunneyCarolyn and Edward WhiteMr. and Mrs. William Blunt White

Curator ($500-$999)

Harry and Maureen Bjorkland *William and Jacqueline Brennan *Dr. and Mrs. Thomas P. SculcoGertrude E. Smith

Conservator ($1000-$2499) Ken and Linda Chaffee *Mr. and Mrs. Joseph E. CoduriCarol and Ed Fazio *Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. RoyceMr. and Mrs. A. Michael Slosberg

Preservationist ($2500+) Hugh A. BartonJulie and John Coduri *Ellen L. Madison, Ph.D. **Trustees

Sponsors Buzzi MemorialsCa-Gin Concrete, Inc. Jeffrey R. Hall Builder

Lathrop Insurance AgencyProfessional Planning GroupSchonning Insurance

Washington Trust Charitable FoundationWesterly Community Credit Union

Please inform us of any errors.

Membership Form

Member/Corporate Sponsor Name_________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Phone number ________________________________________Email ___________________________________Membership Level: __$25 __$50 __$100 __$250 __$500 __$1,000 __$1,500 __$2,000 __$3,000

Make checks payable to Babcock-Smith House Museum.

Thank you.I would like information on: ___ candlelight dinners for 12 ___ including the Museum in my estate plan

My donation will be matched by_________________________________________

Individual Family

Babcock-Smith House Museum124 Granite StreetWesterly, RI 02891

Non-Profit OrgUS Postage Paid

Permit 124Westerly RI

babcocksmithhouse.org

Return Service Requested

TrusteesJohn B. Coduri, ChairMaureen J. BjorklandJacqueline F. BrennanSusan Sullivan BrocatoLinda Smith ChaffeeEdward A. FazioBetty-Jo Cugini Greene Stephen M. GreeneEllen L. Madison, Ph.D.Anthony Gallup Smith

Resident ManagerJacquelyn Smith

You are cordially invited tothe Gallery Opening

Collection Highlights

from the Babcock-Smith House Museum and the Westerly Historical Society

Wednesday, February 6 at 6 pm

In the Westerly Library Gallery