Mill Town Messenger | April 2013

Overview

The newsletter from the Newport Historical Society reports organizational updates, upcoming programs, and museum activities, emphasizing a newly formed twelve-member Board and current officers. It highlights digital outreach with a Dean Stetson slide show, scheduled meetings, and community events including a Chamber “Business After Hours.”

The issue also features artifact stewardship and local biography: the Bradford chair donation story, a detailed profile of Daniel Chase Corbin II’s ventures in railroads and mining, museum acquisitions and operations, membership statistics, and a planned roof replacement project.

You can read the online version of the newsletter here.

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

Main Points

• Newport Historical Society Leadership: The Society is managed by a Board of Directors with twelve active members, including executive officers and new board members with diverse backgrounds, all dedicated to preserving Newport’s history.
• Museum Offerings and Access: The Newport Historical Society Museum features memorabilia, reference materials, and a slide show about Newport; it is open Sundays or by appointment, with special programs and events throughout the year.
• Community Engagement: The Society hosts events such as “Business After Hours” and collaborates with local organizations, inviting public participation in meetings, programs, and artifact donations.
• Artifact Preservation: The Society collects and preserves family heirlooms and their stories, such as the “Bradford Chair,” encouraging community members to contribute items of historical significance.
• Notable Local History: Daniel Chase Corbin, II, a Newport native, became a significant railroad and mining entrepreneur in the western United States and Canada, contributing to regional development and amassing considerable wealth.
• Museum Improvements: Current projects include reorganizing the museum’s reference library and replacing the roof, with funding supported by memberships, donations, and sales of memorabilia.
• Membership and Support: The Society relies on membership dues, donations, and sales for funding, with various membership levels available and ongoing campaigns to encourage renewals and support for specific projects.
• Mortgage Payments: The Society is making scheduled payments to purchase the Nettleton House for the museum, with gratitude expressed to the Economic Corporation of Newport for their partnership.

---

Check out our Events Calendar to keep informed of upcoming events!