The Cotes’ Concerted Effort to Preserve Newport

The Newport Historical Society is honored to share this feature from The Newport Times, celebrating the remarkable dedication of Jackie and Larry Cote. For more than two decades, the Cotes have given their time, talent, and energy to preserving Newport’s landmarks and stories. Their efforts have strengthened our museum, safeguarded beloved bridges, and inspired countless neighbors to value our shared heritage. With their permission, we are pleased to reprint this article from The Newport Times so that our community can join us in recognizing Jackie and Larry Cote’s lasting contributions.

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NEWPORT’S HOMETOWN HERO

Preserving history is hard work, but Larry and Jackie Cody have honed the skill during the 20 years they have dedicated to the Newport Historical Society since they retired. Whether it was Jackie raising money to preserve one of the few covered railroad bridges left in the world, Larry overseeing the move of the Society Museum or other contributions they make every day, the two have made preserving Newport’s history and all-encompassing pursuit.

Both Cotes have their roots in the Upper Valley area of New Hampshire. Jackie, a true Newport native, was born here in 1945, and Larry began his life in nearby Claremont a year earlier, in 1944. They’ve raised two children who both maintain their New Hampshire connections: Liselle Dufort, the town clerk of Newport, and Lauren Cote, who resides in Salem.

Before Larry and Jackie became deeply engrossed in the town’s history, they both had storied careers as manufacturing engineer and an accountant, respectively. It was only once they retired that they first began to pursue these noble preservation goals. Though Larry was a historical postcard collector beforehand, it was in 2004 when he was approached by a friend, Hal Campbell, at a postcard show. His friend said, “You guys got to join the Historical Society so that you have something to do.” Larry took his friend up on his offer, and a few weeks later, Jackie joined him to help.

The Cotes have served on the Society’s committee and done great things for both the Society and Newport. One of Larry’s largest contributions was when he helped the Historical Society Museum move to a new location. It all began when the Museum which used to be on the second floor of the courthouse needed renovations. However, because of a lack of fire protection, Larry pursued another option – the Nettleton House on Central Street. Helping with negotiations, the Society was able to purchase the building. From there, for a time, Larry became the director of the new location.

Another major part of the job at the Society is fundraising, which is essential to preserving the town’s surrounding landmarks. One of Jackie’s greatest undertakings was raising the funds to restore Pier Bridge. As the Society’s publication The Milltown Messenger states in an article penned by Arthur Walsh from last year: “It is not an exaggeration to say that without her, the Pier bridge would probably now be irreparably sagging towards the waters of the Sugar River.”  Though Jackie only needed to raise $100,000 to preserve the bridge, she not only reached this ambitious goal, but surpassed it by over 50%. Because of her ability to raise and manage money, she served as the treasurer for years. Managing the budget and finances.

One of the Society’s most successful fundraisers involved Christmas ornaments. Part of this was because an artist made hand-painted ornaments which became highly collectible. However, another factor was entirely incidental. One of the ornaments was of the 1945 Winter Queen Beauty Pageant winner, Louise Crone Russell, who was the actor Kurt Russell’s mother. After a story was published in Claremont’s Eagle Times, Kurt Russell found out about these ornaments featuring a hand-painted photo of his mother, and asked to buy fifty of them. Though, due to the handmade factor, it wasn’t possible to create the ornaments in bulk. However, this fundraiser was still one of their most successful.

But the two Cotes have done more than fundraising for the Society. In fact, this husband-and-wife team have called upon their talents as writers. Both have contributed to the Society’s publication The Milltown Messenger and have also written books that are sold in the Museum’s gift shop: Jackie’s The 19 Covered Bridges of Newport, New Hampshire, and Larry’s Mansions and Prominent Landmarks of Newport, co-authored with Mary Lou McGuire and Ray Reid. In addition, Jackie has also contributed to this very publication the Newport Times, in the past.

When asked why preserving the town’s history was so important, both Cotes had much to say. Jackie started by saying, “If we don’t preserve the history, it will be gone…the younger crowd isn’t interested in doing that.” Larry clarified, “To be interested in history, you…have to be in the 50 to 60 age group. Then you start to get…how important history [is]. Younger generations, and we were the same way, you’re so busy with…living life that you don’t have time for that.” Thankfully, the two Cotes have made time and continue to have time to give. Their contributions can be seen throughout the Society, the Museum and the town of Newport. Many future generations will come to experience the town’s history thanks to their efforts.

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The Newport Historical Society is grateful for the Cotes’ vision and dedication. We invite you to visit the museum and experience firsthand the history they have worked so hard to preserve.