Residents Fight For Historic Beechwood House

After years of indecision, the fate of Beechwood House may finally be resolved. Last month, the town sent out a request for proposals (RFP) looking for ideas on what to do with 137-year-old building on Beach St.

Resident Kenneth Proudfoot, one of those responding to the RFP, is submitting an idea he's been considering for a few years: an arts center. Proudfoot said he got involved with the movement to save Beechwood after he realized no one was stepping up to try and save it.

According to Proudfoot, his idea consists of fashioning Beechwood into a place where artists, writers, poets, painters, and sculptors can gather to do their work as well as exhibit it.

Proudfoot said he is working alongside Howard Rubenstein, president of the Wickford Art Association, where they hope to add an addition to their art gallery - which is adjacent to Beechwood.

Additionally, Proudfoot said he believes his proposal is doable and the most important part is having a well-developed plan for implementing it once the proposal has been presented.

He said the proposal will be shown to the committee on Oct. 12, the deadline for the RFP.

Town Council President Elizabeth Dolan said once the proposals have been shown to the committee, the council will hold a public discussion Oct. 18 to show what ideas have been offered.

North Kingstown resident Michelle Girasole said she thinks the value of the waterfront property has been overlooked. "There is a huge commercial kitchen for people who want to start catering businesses," she said. "I'd love to see that kitchen used."

Girasole said she manages a Facebook group titled "Save Beechwood House" where she receives ideas from residents every day. She said she envisions the house hosting events such as weddings, parties, or workshops.

"I'd love to play a part in making it a place where parents can bring their children and events can be held," she said.

Because of the history of Beechwood House, Historic Wickford Inc. has been interested in restoring it. Beechwood was built in 1873 and served as a summer home for Elisha Dyer, Jr., who became the state's governor in 1897. Girasole said she thinks this historic landmark will bring in revenue for the community.

Dolan said the Beechwood House has been an ongoing project for two years and the council decided it was time to make a decision about it. The last decision made by the committee was to demolish the house. She said that she hopes somebody comes forward with a reasonable idea but, if not, the committee has no problem proceeding with the demolition.

The decision will not be made before the upcoming elections, however, so the final word on the house rests in the hands of the next council elected.