Preservation Society Installs New Chairman, Trustees. Presents Awards at Annual Meeting

Photo, top:  New members of the Preservation Society Board of Trustees, from left: Debra Del Vecchio, Valerie Talmage and Kate Enroth. Evan Smith was unable to attend the Annual Meeting and is not pictured.

The Preservation Society of Newport County installed a new chairman of its Board of Trustees, honored the outgoing chairman, welcomed new trustees and bestowed awards for outstanding contributions to the Newport Mansions and the community, all during the organization’s Annual Meeting on June 12 at The Breakers.

Peter W. Harris, a Preservation Society trustee since 2016, was elected Chairman by his fellow trustees. He previously served as Assistant Secretary, Secretary and since 2021, as Vice Chairman and Treasurer. Harris is co-founder and managing partner of Mooring Partners, a consulting firm in the homeland security technology sector.

Outgoing Board of Trustees Chairman William F. Lucey receives the Antiquarian Award presented by Vice Chairman Patrick Kerins

The outgoing chairman, William F. Lucey III, was presented with the Antiquarian Award, the Preservation Society’s highest honor. Lucey served for 15 years on the board, including six years as Treasurer and four years as chairman. During this time, the organization not only survived the COVID pandemic crisis and its aftermath but also undertook some of its most ambitious capital improvement projects, campaigns and strategic initiatives.

Four New Trustees:

Debra Del Vecchio is co-chair of the Preservation Society’s International Council. Her business career has spanned more than 40 years, including senior operational positions in Luxottica Group and with Brooks Brothers. She has restored several prominent homes and gardens on Long Island.

Kate Enroth has been a board member or active volunteer for many neighborhood organizations in Boston. She holds a law degree from Brooklyn Law School and has practiced law at Davis Polk and Wardwell and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.

Evan Smith recently retired from 35 years of service to Discover Newport, dedicated to the promotion of business and leisure travel to Newport and eight other municipalities in Newport and Bristol Counties, Rhode Island.

Valerie Talmage was Executive Director of Preserve Rhode Island, an organization dedicated to saving historic buildings through preservation services and community advocacy, for 18 years until her recent retirement.

Laurel Awards

The winners of this year’s Preservation Society Laurel Awards for Artisanship, Volunteerism and Horticulture were honored during the Annual Meeting.

Artisanship: Jerry Kirby and Kirby Perkins Construction, in recognition of their exemplary craftsmanship in the exterior restoration of Isaac Bell House.

Jerry Kirby of Kirby Perkins Construction, Artisanship; Victoria Johnson, Volunteerism; and William Orlando of Orlando Greenhouse, Horticulture

Volunteerism: Victoria Johnson, in recognition of her contributions to Newport’s civic and cultural heritage and her dedication to making Newport a stronger, more vibrant community.

Horticulture: William Orlando and Orlando Greenhouse, in recognition of the exceptional care and expertise demonstrated in the restoration of The Breakers Stable Greenhouse and the ongoing contribution to horticultural preservation.

About The Preservation Society of Newport County, RI:

The Preservation Society of Newport County, Rhode Island, is a nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. It is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the area’s historic architecture, landscapes, decorative arts and social history. Its 11 historic properties – seven of them National Historic Landmarks – span more than 250 years of American architectural and social development.

For more information, please visit www.NewportMansions.org

All photos: Dave Hansen/The Preservation Society of Newport County