Mill Town Messenger | Feb 2009

Overview

The newsletter from the Newport Historical Society documents local heritage activities, focusing on early 20th-century Winter Carnival origins, community events, and membership drives. It highlights fundraising, collectible ornaments, recent donations, and meeting schedules that support preservation initiatives.

Profiles and artifacts are emphasized: the Towle postcard collection, Distinguished Service Awards, and Loren D. Towle’s biography illustrate local benefactors’ roles in shaping Newport’s architectural and cultural legacy.

You can read the online version of the newsletter here.

This quarterly newsletter is generally published in January, April, July and October.

Main Points

• First Newport Winter Carnival: The inaugural Newport Winter Carnival took place on February 5, 1916, sponsored by the YMCA, with organized winter games aimed at increasing outdoor activities and drawing 600 people to town.
• Second Carnival Expansion: The second Winter Carnival, held in 1917, featured a larger program including a parade, floats, and unique events such as horses performing in the street and a deer drive on snowshoes, ending with a wild game dinner.
• Source of Date Confusion: Confusion about the first carnival’s date arises from references to the “First Annual Winter Carnival” in 1917 programs, but evidence confirms 1916 as the true start.
• Key Contributors: William Rand and local businessmen, with encouragement from the B&M Railroad, organized and expanded the carnival after its initial success.
• Notable Attractions: The Newport Outing Club built significant winter sports facilities, including New England’s longest toboggan chute, a ski jump, and a snowshoe area.
• Community Participation: Events like the deer drive involved over 100 people and fostered community engagement through group activities and shared meals.
• Historical Documentation: The Newport Historical Society actively preserves local history through newsletters, fundraising, and collecting rare items such as Newport postcards and hand-painted ornaments.
• Loren D. Towle’s Legacy: Loren D. Towle, a prominent real estate broker from Newport, offered to build a new high school in 1916, but the town opted for its own plan; he also contributed to local institutions before his death in 1923.

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