Cumberland, Rhode Island, is embarking on a crucial mission to safeguard its historic stone walls, a unique and integral part of the town's identity and heritage. This initiative is a response to the looming threat of development encroaching upon these ancient structures, which could lead to their irreversible loss. The town's proactive approach involves a comprehensive inventory, a detailed documentation process that will classify and analyze the stone walls based on various criteria, including structure, materials, age, and historical significance. This meticulous approach aims to protect these walls, which are not just physical barriers but also hold immense cultural and ecological value.
The project, funded by the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission and the National Park Service, is a testament to the town's commitment to preserving its unique heritage. The estimated $10,500 budget will be utilized to engage a consultant, a preservation professional, who will guide the town in documenting, evaluating, and interpreting the historic stone walls. This consultant will also train town staff and historic district commission members to ensure the project's continuity beyond the initial grant period.
The inventory will document the walls' structure, construction technique, materials, condition, estimated age, historic use, and degree of threat. This data will be classified using a recognized system, identifying spatial patterns and trends that offer insights into the town's historical land use and development. The ultimate goal is to create a comprehensive stone wall overlay on the town's GIS portal and establish an eligibility list for a Historic Stone Wall Preservation Program.
This program could potentially provide tax credits to property owners, encouraging them to take an active role in preserving these historic structures. The town's proactive approach is a response to the historical and geological significance of stone walls, which have been a part of New England's identity for centuries. Stone walls, as described by Robert Thorson, an Earth Science professor at the University of Connecticut, are not just physical barriers but also natural landforms that reveal the region's geological and historical past.
Thorson's advocacy for the preservation of stone walls is rooted in their environmental and historical importance. He highlights their role in providing habitat for plants and animals and their military significance during the American Revolution. The walls, as mentioned in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's 'Paul Revere's Ride,' were even used by New England Colonists for cover when fighting the British. The town's initiative to document and protect these walls is a step towards ensuring that Cumberland's rich history and unique identity are preserved for future generations.
