Oakhill Civic Association

I recently re-read an article that appeared in the Valley Breeze on January 27 of this year about the Weeden Manor.     It addressed the fact that "after 105 years of serving the community, the Weeden Manor could close.." on Feb. 2 due to a loss of funding as the residency had dwindled over the years.  The article goes on to explain that the Weeden Manor was an independent charitable corporation established by the trustees of the Pawtucket Congregational Church "as a result of a bequest in the will of Elizabeth Higginson Weeden, who left the property for the purpose of founding a residential retirement home to serve the surrounding community".   Charles Greenhalgh gave the mansion to the Pawtucket Congregational Church with the stipulation that the Weeden Home should occupy the "stately building", according to a historical narrative.   The long-time director of the home, Sharon Burrill, is also a 35 year member of the Pawtucket Congregational Church and a member of its leadership board, and as the article goes on to explain "the church leaders are in the very early stages of determining what to do now with the Walnut Street property.    This building, valued at over $1 million today, was the former Darius Goff House that was built in 1890, according to RI Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission.   How can it be, that in less than 2 weeks time - the large stained glass window, which was described in the newspaper article as"an expensive Tiffany stained glass window"  has already been removed and a large dumpster can now be found parked in the driveway and already full of debris??  These results are a little different than what was described in the article.   Quality Hill residents take pride in their neighborhood, for many have rehabiliated their historic homes.   Was a permit required to remove that large window??   I'm desperately trying to understand how this is the first step in determining "what to do" with the Walnut Street property.    Is this respective of the wishes of Elizabeth Higginson Weeden?

There are many questions that need some answers as to what Pawtucket will look like or will drift without any history?

Are we adrift without any rudders?

Does anyone care?

Crying shame but would anyone really notice or care!

We plan a March 10th session at OakHill Nursing and Rehab on the various neighborhood issues and the Pidge Tavern-

It was demolished for a tire store- and perhaps we can expand on some of the recent moves to tear apart any vestiges of history in Pawtucket. The Leroy Theater is gone and what else will follow- The Ott Mansion?

Why not use some of the stimulus money to help save some of these structures and use some of the craftsman left to also teach young students so they can carry out the traditions with sustainable tourism of our past and our future?

We should be proud of Slater Mill and the Betty Johnson History Research Library that are here, but will they be the only remnants of Pawtucket' proud history left standing?