Rhode Island may be a small state, but we certainly have a lot of history. Since 2000, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has published its Dozen Distinctive Destinations and RI has had four locations cited – Westerly, Newport, Providence and Bristol. Some states have never had an entry. And there are those who wonder why we like to live here.

The program recognizes cities and towns that offer an authentic visitor experience by combining dynamic downtowns, cultural diversity, attractive architecture, cultural landscapes and a strong commitment to historic preservation, sustainability and revitalization. In each community, residents have joined together and taken action to protect their town’s character.

Our latest entry, Bristol, was described as “a quintessential New England waterfront town.” And they later stated “[w]ith its unwavering commitment to preservation, Bristol continues to maintain the picture-perfect charm of a historic port town.”

But then again, we knew that. Bristol is a great location for art boutiques, museums, cafes, parks, and a fantastic tree lined main street. The character of the town has continually grown from its beginnings in 1680 as part of the Plymouth Colony and then as a town in Massachusetts, and finally becoming a town in RI in 1747. Sitting near the top of Narragansett Bay, the town folks have always held a love for the sea and that seaport tradition continues today, albeit, slightly more recreational.

[Editors note - July 8, 2010]:

I just heard this morning on the radio and read on EastbayRI.com that Family Circle magazine gave Bristol a rank in the top 10 towns to live in 2010.

When we think of Newport, there is Fort Adams with the folk and jazz festivals, the mansions for touring, the Tennis Hall of Fame, Bowen’s Wharf, Tall Ships and the U.S. Naval War College.  I know, you don’t think of the Naval War College.  I had heard of it, but didn’t know why it existed in Newport in the first place.

That was until Rear Admiral Roger T. Nolan gave a group of us a tour of the facilities last evening.  It is a truly amazing place steeped in history dating back to the civil war and graced by the presence of some very significant figures over the years. Admiral Nolan is a man who loves his job as head of the War College Foundation to support the institute and is a decorated service man who worked most recently between several branches of government in the Iraq conflict.

The school was originally headed by a Commodore Luce, and was expanded during the Presidency of Teddy Roosevelt.  The main goal was for the advancement of war planning.

However, the mission has changed significantly since its early days.  Now, it not only trains folks from all branches of our government, but it also conducts a session for world leaders. This past week heads of defense agencies from 47 different countries graduated from the curriculum which now stresses how to work together to avoid war by building rapport. So, if we can get more people to understand the importance of peaceful coexistence, perhaps we can minimize future conflicts.

Oh, by the way, they have a naval museum and do give tours of the facility, which I believe you need to request ahead of time, and the place provides one of the most fantastic views of Narragansett Bay that I have ever seen.

We reside in the Ocean State. We should know about the America’s Cup race, since for so many year’s it was contested in the waters off our shores.  Our Providence Manager, Ed Hardie, told me about the first race of this year’s America’s Cup over a month ago. But just last night, my spouse informed me that the America’s Cup race is OVER – three weeks ago! She heard that at a luncheon meeting.

What happened, where were we, this is the event that anointed Newport as the sailing capital of the world for years!

The good news is a United States team won.  It is the first time since 1992 that America’s Cup is back in the US.

The website for the 33rd contest in Valencia, Spain will impress you with the size of the competing crafts. The winning boat is a massive trimaran with airplane wing-like “sails” and was sponsored by Larry Ellison of Oracle fame and BMW. They sail out of the San Francisco’s Golden Gate Yacht Club.

Here’s the question Rhode Islander’s – can we get them to bring the race back to Newport? The word is that the race might be held in San Francisco, San Diego, Newport, or even back in Valencia Spain. There is a Rhode Island group petitioning to get the cup race back to Newport.

Sustainable Development & Restoration Business Conference

This week I spoke with Rob Bailey, founder of The SourceNewport conference being held this year in Newport, Rhode Island October 21-23, 2009. This Summit brings together financial resources for historic real estate investment and projects, success stories of new businesses in historic communities and a discussion about how Hollywood depends on historic communities, focusing on design guidelines and business solutions for sustainable & historic development.

More than the “green” marketing gimmick, sustainability is really a discussion about the future.  The adaptive reuse of existing buildings is one of the easiest and most cost effective paths towards sustainability.  To that end, SourceNewport is partnering this year with Sustainable Communities, Inc., and will be addressing the aspects of money and local policy.  ”Restoration of community has been the lifeblood of American tradition, and the secret formula for New England is the green economics of preservation and restoration”, according to Bailey, this is why he launched the event in Newport.

This week’s real estate insight:

Great old mills turned into fabulous live-work artist lofts, obsolete factories turned into shopping malls, defunct shopping malls turned into schools, old churches turned into condominiums, an old strip mall turned into a church. These are all examples of adaptive reuse, adapting and evolving existing buildings to suit present day needs. For more information, visit: www.sourcenewport.com.

Of course, you are probably saying, “What summer?” It has been an on and off season this year, soaked with rain in June and July, and hurricane scares for the last two weekends. Well, Labor Day weekend is upon us, so it is time to get ready for one last bash. There are some things to do this weekend around Rhode Island that are worth mentioning.

September 4-6, 2009

12th Annual Rhythm and Roots Festival, Charlestown
Ninigret Park, 4813 Old Post Road (Route 1A). Annual roots musical festival with blues, New Orleans R&B, Cajun, Zydeco, Swing, etc. Features two huge dance floors, four music stages, dance lessons, food vendors, kids activities, evening dances, instrument instruction, and more!

September 5, 2009

WaterFire, Providence
Begins at dusk. Waterplace Park. Water, light, smoke, music, and street performers combine to form an elemental art experience.

Tastes of the Working Waterfront Tour, Newport
Begins at 11:30am. NRF Museum Store, 415 Thames Street. Taste, touch and smell your way through history while learning about the sailors, merchants and immigrants who lived and worked along Lower Thames Street.

Newport Artists and Writers Walking Tour, Newport
Begins at 1:00pm. Museum of Newport History, 127 Thames Street. Departs from the museum and ends at the Redwood Library to include the exhibit “Newport’s Own: Portraits by Jane Stuart.” $15 per person; $10 for NHS members; reservations requested.

September 5-7, 2009

12th Annual Newport Waterfront Irish Festival, Newport
Begins at 11:00am. Newport Yachting Center, 4 Commercial Wharf. Experience the Emerald Isle in the City by the Sea. This three-day community event celebrates Irish music, culture, cuisine and crafts.

September 7, 2009

11th Annual Labor Day Open House, Woonsocket
9:30am–4:00pm. Museum of Work and Culture, Market Square. Admission is free to the museum all day. This year’s open house commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Woonsocket strike and riot of 1934. A play entitled ‘The ITU Meeting’ about the strike’s aftermath will be presented.