To the editor:
It was heartening that so many people were interested in the Cultural Center proposed for Hunt’s Mills! A lively, articulate crowd gathered at Council chambers on Monday evening. Oct. 16, to express both pro/con views which ranged from “build this somewhere else closer to the center of the City” to “yes, finally more voices which have beginnings in EP here at Hunt’s."

I center my thoughts on the latter voice. With 40 years under my belt at Hunt’s doing hands-on restoration, gardening and just enjoying the open space, I think it is now time for other groups to join the Historical Society and the Ten Mile River Group in the education of this City as to their stories.

The EPHS has been working with 4th graders since the 90’s, teaching about the first European settlers. There’s so much more to the East Providence history book than just that chapter.

So for me, one main point of discussion should be: putting the look of a new center aside, what do all of us want to accomplish with this Center? The possibilities of teaching about history, ecology, conservation and gardening techniques, alongside the cultural pieces are too numerous to ignore.

As one last point: Since the first Champlin grant for Hunt House of $107,000 in 1990, the EPHS/10 Mile River Group have brought more than $500,000 to that spot, not to mention grabbing the attention of the Federal Gov’t with a spot as an anchor on the Blackstone Valley Heritage Corridor.

Our development has been constant and the community has supported us all along. I believe it will continue to do that for a new Cultural Center at Hunt’s.

Nancy Moore
East Providence Historical Society
Preservation Chair