Mary Mowry House
A Piece of History...
In 2013, The Nonprofit Organization Revive the Roots, asked to embark on a project to revive the boarded up and rapidly deteriorating historic Mary Mowry House on the adjacent town-owned property. Developing a plan in collaboration with Preserve RI and the Smithfield Land Trust, Revive the Roots brought the house back into use and developed Rhode Island’s first live-in curatorship program. This curatorship program had transformed the historic Mowry House from an endangered, unlivable structure to a base of operations for the non-profit and a landmark for the town.
From 2014-2020, through the dedicated work of its live-in curators, a labor of love, Revive the Roots had transformed a neglected historical structure into a landmark building and flagship program recognized by the Rhode Island Historical Preservation Commission as a creative and successful model for revitalizing endangered structures and giving the space purpose.
In 2021 it was the goal of Revive the Roots to secure the Mary Mowry House as a base of operations through purchase from the Smithfield Municipal Land Trust. Ownership of the Mary Mowry House would ensure that the community gardens, walking trails and outdoor facilities will continue to be maintained by on-site members of the organization and volunteers, and that the house will remain a site for education and land stewardship.
After working with the Smithfield Land Trust and the Smithfield Town Council to gain the opportunity to purchase the house the organization was granted 6 months to acquire funds to complete the purchase. With this goal we rallied support from our community raising almost $100,000 in direct donations. With the support from our community donors, a generous grant from the Champlin Foundation and the June Rockwell Levy Foundation we were still short of the $450,000 sales price. By working with the Rhode Island Foundation and their Impact Investing Program we were able to secure a loan for the remaining amount.
Revive the Roots had asked the community to help save our base of operations in 2022 and thanks to the outpouring of support from the community and partners we were able to achieve that. Revive the Roots is now the proud owner of 5 acres and the historic Mary Mowry House! This gave Revive the Roots the permanence here in Smithfield and the assurance we needed in order to continue growing this amazing organization. Although we have overcome this tremendous hurdle, the journey is far from over and our final vision is still being forged. There is still work to be done on the historic home, a new mortgage loan to be paid, as well as new programs to create!
Next steps include, repairing the roof and chimney, improvements of the plumbing systems and basement, and enhancements to parking, public access trails, and gardens. Preserve Rhode Island continues to offer assistance and support as part of their duty as holders of a Preservation Easement attached to the Mary Mowry House. This easement ensures that values, views, and historical features of the house will be protected in perpetuity.
We invite you all to continue to support us here at Revive the Roots as we create a model for change in this world. A site that not only educates, but shows through action what a sustainable, dynamic community space can accomplish and provide.
Contact info@revivetheroots.org with the subject Mary Mowry House for more information and upcoming tour dates!
From 2014-2020, through the dedicated work of its live-in curators, a labor of love, Revive the Roots had transformed a neglected historical structure into a landmark building and flagship program recognized by the Rhode Island Historical Preservation Commission as a creative and successful model for revitalizing endangered structures and giving the space purpose.
In 2021 it was the goal of Revive the Roots to secure the Mary Mowry House as a base of operations through purchase from the Smithfield Municipal Land Trust. Ownership of the Mary Mowry House would ensure that the community gardens, walking trails and outdoor facilities will continue to be maintained by on-site members of the organization and volunteers, and that the house will remain a site for education and land stewardship.
After working with the Smithfield Land Trust and the Smithfield Town Council to gain the opportunity to purchase the house the organization was granted 6 months to acquire funds to complete the purchase. With this goal we rallied support from our community raising almost $100,000 in direct donations. With the support from our community donors, a generous grant from the Champlin Foundation and the June Rockwell Levy Foundation we were still short of the $450,000 sales price. By working with the Rhode Island Foundation and their Impact Investing Program we were able to secure a loan for the remaining amount.
Revive the Roots had asked the community to help save our base of operations in 2022 and thanks to the outpouring of support from the community and partners we were able to achieve that. Revive the Roots is now the proud owner of 5 acres and the historic Mary Mowry House! This gave Revive the Roots the permanence here in Smithfield and the assurance we needed in order to continue growing this amazing organization. Although we have overcome this tremendous hurdle, the journey is far from over and our final vision is still being forged. There is still work to be done on the historic home, a new mortgage loan to be paid, as well as new programs to create!
Next steps include, repairing the roof and chimney, improvements of the plumbing systems and basement, and enhancements to parking, public access trails, and gardens. Preserve Rhode Island continues to offer assistance and support as part of their duty as holders of a Preservation Easement attached to the Mary Mowry House. This easement ensures that values, views, and historical features of the house will be protected in perpetuity.
We invite you all to continue to support us here at Revive the Roots as we create a model for change in this world. A site that not only educates, but shows through action what a sustainable, dynamic community space can accomplish and provide.
Contact info@revivetheroots.org with the subject Mary Mowry House for more information and upcoming tour dates!
Who was Mary Mowry?
Mary Mowry was born in Providence, but she fell in love with Smithfield. After retiring from a career in education, she dedicated her life to preserving Smithfield’s history and protecting its land. She donated more than 100 acres to the town through the Smithfield Land Trust. Part of her donation was the land that we call Mowry Commons, and her home, which serves as Revive the Roots’ headquarters. During her lifetime she was known for her beautiful and extensive flower gardens. In the twilight of her life and after her death these gardens were overtaken by weeds and her efforts were temporarily forgotten. As Revive the Roots has cleared brush, cut saplings and pulled weeds we have uncovered Mary’s treasures, Daffodils, tulips, iris, hyacinth, crocus and lilacs to name a few. It is our wish as the current stewards of Mary’s land to replant and expand these gardens. Revive the Roots is preserving Mary’s legacy so future generations can fall in love with Smithfield too.
Links and Articles
RI Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission, 35th annual Preservation Conference:
"Curators in the House: Creative Models for Stewardship"
Valley Breeze: Curating Community, April 14th 2021
Preserve Rhode Island: Mary Mowry House
"Curators in the House: Creative Models for Stewardship"
Valley Breeze: Curating Community, April 14th 2021
Preserve Rhode Island: Mary Mowry House
Mary Mowry House Curators
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