>> "OUR TOWN MIDDLETOWN IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE FOLLOWING -- RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL SALES, GENERATORS, AND BUCKET TRUCKS COMMITTED TO HELPING NEWPORT COUNTY'S NEEDS, AND THE ROTARY CLUB OF MIDDLETOWN.

[CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY CARDI'S FURNITURE AND MATTRESSES] >> CHARLESTOWN TODAY, YOU WOULD SAY IT HAS NOT CHANGED MUCH.

>> SHE REMEMBERS MY UNCLE.

>> OVERLOOKING US ONCE AGAIN ARMED.

-- THE SWANSON KIT POND.

>> INC. AND 7 -- INCORPORATED IN 1723, MIDDLETOWN, RHODE ISLAND WAS ONCE KNOWN AS A FARMING COMMUNITY.

THERE IS A THRIVING BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN ADDITION TO FARMS AND OPEN SPACE THAT REMIND RESIDENTS AND VISITORS OF DAYS GONE BY.

YOU CAN FIND EVIDENCE OF THE HISTORY FROM THE BEACHES AND PROTECTED LAND, TO DOZENS OF ICONIC SPOTS WITH THE NARRATIVE TO SHARE.

MIDDLETOWN'S STORY COMES TO LIFE THROUGH GENERATIONS OF BUSINESSES AIMED AT PROTECTING THE NATIONAL RESOURCES AND WILDLIFE, AND THROUGH THOSE WHO TAKE PRIDE IN THEIR TOWN.

THOSE WHO KNOW THIS AREA BEST WILL TAKE YOU ON A JOURNEY THROUGH ITS PAST AND INTO THE PRESENT TO SHARE WHAT MAKES THIS TOWN THE COMMUNITY AT IS TODAY.

THIS IS THEIR VOICE AND THEIR VISION.

THIS IS "OUR TOWN: MIDDLETOWN."

>> WE ARE STUCK IN BETWEEN TWO TOWNS AND SOMETIMES THAT IS LIKE THE MIDDLE CHILD.

IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO PEOPLE -- IMPORTANT MIDDLETOWN WAS HERE SINCE NEWPORT BECAUSE IT WAS NEWPORT, AND THEN WE GOT DIVIDED.

♪ THE CALIBER OF THE PEOPLE THAT WERE HERE AND WHAT THEY BUILT AND WHY THEY CAME HERE AND WHAT THEY BROUGHT WITH THEM, THEY WERE WELL EDUCATED, WEALTHY AND A LOT OF ASPECTS, AND WANTED TO START A NEW LIFE.

♪ MIDDLETOWN GEOGRAPHICALLY AS EXCELLENT FOR STARTING A COLONY.

THE WEATHER HERE IN THE SOIL HERE -- AND THE SOIL HERE AND THE FRESHWATER, AND THE PEOPLE WHO WORKED OFF OF THAT BUILT THE FARMS, BUILT THE SOCIETY, CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, DID EDUCATION FROM SCRATCH.

THE FORESIGHT THAT A LOT OF THEM HAD HAS GIVEN US THE BEAUTIFUL TOWN WE HAVE TODAY.

COME AND VISIT MIDDLETOWN, BECAUSE IT IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO VISIT.

IT IS.

♪ >> GOOD MORNING.

I AM FROM THE MIDDLETOWN HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU A TOUR OF THE WINDMILL.

COME ON IN.

I AM GOING TO TAKE YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS OF GETTING YOUR CORN GROUND IN ORDER TO MAKE GOTTI CAKES.

TAKE THE CO -- KERNELS OF CORN OFF THE COB AND NOW YOU HAVE CORN YOU CAN PUT IN A BAG AND TAKE TO THE MAIL.

-- MEL.

-- MILL.

THE CORN WOULD BE BROUGHT UPSTAIRS WHERE THE MILLING WAS DONE.

THE CORN WOULD BE DUMPED INTO THE CHUTE ND THE SHAFT WOULD BE GOING AROUND AND AROUND, AND THE CHUTE WOULD BUMP INTO THIS, BECOME THE CROW FOOT WHICH DRIVES THE STONE.

THE CORN WOULD BE GROUND AND AS IT WAS GROUND, IT WOULD COME OUT ALONG THE EDGE OF THE STONE.

IT CAME DOWN ON THE CHUTE AND THEY HAD THESE PADDLES TO PULL THE CORN, THE GROUND CORN OVER THE SCREEN.

THE FINISHED GROUND CORN WOULD END UP IN THE BOTTOM, WHERE IT WOULD BE SCOOPED UP, BAGGED, AND WEIGHED ON THIS SMALLER SCALE.

THE STONES -- MILL AND THE STONES OPERATE.

THEY ARE DRIVEN BY THE WIND, BY THE SALES.

-- SAILS.

THEY RUN A 20 FOOT WOODEN SHAFT WITH AN ENORMOUS GEAR WHEEL ON IT THAT DRIVES A SMALLER GEAR THAT DRIVES THE SHAFT.

THAT IS HOW IT IS POWERED.

♪ >> THE NORMAN BIRD SANCTUARY AND THE PROPERTY HAS PLAYED A REALLY OUTSIZED ROLE IN THIS COMMUNITY, PARTLY JUST GEOGRAPHICALLY AND GEOLOGICALLY BUT ALSO CULTURALLY.

♪ BASICALLY, SINCE THE MID-1800S, IT WAS A VENUE FOR A REALLY KNOWN -- FOR REALLY WELL-KNOWN ARTISTS, AND IT IS KIND OF A COMBINATION OF THE CULTURAL PARADISE FARMHOUSE, PARADISE VALLEY IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO THE HISTORY OF THE COMMUNITY.

IT IS ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER AS ONE OF THE REMAINING INTACT FARMS NATIONWIDE, WHICH IS KIND OF AMAZING.

OUR FOUNDER HAD INCREDIBLE VISION.

MABEL MOORMAN GREW UP -- NORMAN GREW UP IN NEWPORT.

HER FAMILY BOUGHT PARADISE FARM AS A VACATION SPOT IN THE EARLY 1900S, SO WHEN SHE WAS A YOUNG ADULT AND LATER WHEN SHE WAS MARRIED, SHE BOUGHT OUT HER FAMILY AND SHE AND HER HUSBAND LIVED THERE.

SHE JUST LOVED WILDLIFE AND BIRDS, SO HER VISION WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT IT DID NOT BECOME DEVELOPED, AND PROTECT THE HABITAT FOR BIRDS AND WILDLIFE, AND ALSO TO GIVE PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN FROM IT AND ENJOY IT.

THAT WAS HER VISION SO SHE CREATED NORMAN BIRD SANCTUARY FOR THAT PURPOSE, IN HER WELL.

WHAT WAS 235 ACRES OF HISTORIC FARM IS NOW 325 ACRES AS A NONPROFIT DESIGNED TO PROTECT THAT, FOR ACCESS TO THE COMMUNITY TO ENJOY AND LEARN FROM.

♪ >> SHE BASICALLY SPELLED OUT EXACTLY WHAT THE PROPERTY SHOULD BE USED FOR WITH PRETTY AMAZING FORETHOUGHT ABOUT HOW BIODIVERSITY AND HABITAT AND VEGETATION IMPACT BIRDS, AND UNDERSTANDING HOW PEOPLE CAN LEARN FROM BEING IN NATURE, AND CAN BASICALLY NEED THE OPEN SPACE TO LEARN TO APPRECIATE NATURE AND SPEND TIME OUTDOORS.

SHE LEFT A SMALL ENDOWMENT TO FUND ITS UPKEEP, WHICH IS WONDERFUL.

SINCE THEN, IT HAS EXPANDED AND THE ENDOWMENT ONLY MAKES UP ABOUT 10% OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET IN THE ORGANIZATION.

WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF MEMBERS, DONORS, CORPORATIONS, FOUNDATIONS.

IT IS 70 YEARS LATER AND THIS FOUNDATION IS LED BY A BOARD OF DIRECTORS WITH A STAFF OF 12.

EVERYTHING SHE ENVISIONED IS HAPPENING.

15,000 PEOPLE A YEAR, AND DO SELF-GUIDED EXPLORATION.

THE FARM AND INCREDIBLY DIVERSE HABITATS AT THIS POINT WITH THE GROWTH THAT HAS BEEN ADDED ONTO THE ORIGINAL FARM PROPERTY, THE 325 ACRES FOR THE BIRD SANCTUARY ENCOMPASS BASICALLY EVERY HABITAT YOU COULD HAVE IN RHODE ISLAND, SO IT IS RIDGES AND SALTMARSH, FRESHWATER, HUNDREDS- AND HUNDREDS OF OPEN ACRES, WOODLANDS, PONDS, RIVERS.

IF RHODE ISLAND HAS IT, IT IS IN THE MICROCOSM.

IT COVERS THE FULL SPECTRUM, FROM SOME REALLY INTENSIVE CURRICULUM TIED TO STATE AND FEDERAL STANDARDS.

WE WORK WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS TO ADD EXPERIENTIAL HANDS-ON LEARNING SO THERE IS OPPORTUNITIES FOR PLAYSPACE EDUCATION FOR MORE THAN 5000 SCHOOLCHILDREN AROUND RHODE ISLAND.

BASICALLY, IT IS EXPLORATION, INSPIRATION, AND DETAILED SCIENCE LEARNING, COVERING THE WHOLE SPECTRUM.

MABEL NORMAN'S VISION WAS INSPIRING AND UNUSUAL TO BE THAT FORWARD THINKING ABOUT PROTECTING HABITAT, AND UNUSUAL FOR A WOMAN TO BE DOING THAT ALSO.

WE ARE INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL FOR THAT LEGACY.

♪ >> SAINT COLUMBA'S HAS A CULTURAL PRESENCE IN MIDDLETOWN BEYOND BEING A PLACE TO WORSHIP.

IT IS A CORNERSTONE OF THE PARADISE VALLEY.

>> EUGENE STURTEVANT WHO DESCRIBED THE MIDDLETOWN VALLEY AS PARADISE, SETTLED SOUTH OF THIRD BEACH AFTER HIS MARRIAGE, HOPING TO MAKE A FORTUNE SELLING LAND TO WEALTHY FAMILIES.

HE FACED SEVERAL OBSTACLES, NOTORIOUSLY LITIGIOUS JOHN HAZARD WHO OWNED DUNES ALONG SECOND BEACH AND FOUGHT THE BUILDING OF A ROAD BETWEEN MIDDLETOWN AND NEWPORT.

IN THE END, IT WOULD BE EUGENE'S WIFE WHO LEFT A LASTING MEMORY, ST. COLUMBA'S CHAPEL.

SHE WAS THE DAUGHTER OF THE BISHOP OF RHODE ISLAND AND PRESIDING BISHOP OF THE AMERICAN EPISCOPAL CHURCH, AND A FERVENT AND VIRAL -- ADMIRER OF GEORGE BERKELEY, WHO HAD LIVED THREE YEARS AT NEARBY WHITEHALL IN THE 18TH CENTURY.

WHILE MARY MIGHT HAVE BEEN LIVING IN A PARADISE, IT HAD NO CHURCH.

WORSHIP THAT WOULD COMMEMORATE BERKELEY.

STURTEVANT'S DAUGHTER DESCRIBED LOCAL REACTION TO THE PLAN.

>> MY MOTHER WROTE TO HER FATHER THAT THE FARMERS HAD MANIFESTED THE GREATEST INTEREST IN THE CHURCH, THE MEN SHE LEAST EXPECTED HAD TURNED OUT WITH THEIR OX TEAMS AND WORKED WITH A HEARTY GOOD WELL -- WILL.

MOTHER KEPT ON WITH THE RAISING OF FUNDS AND FELT THE NEED OF A CHURCH.

FOR 10 YEARS, SHE WORKED WITH UNTIRING ZEAL JUST TO GET ITS BARE WALLS AND A ROOF.

>> MY CORNERSTONE WAS LAID OCTOBER 11, 1884, AND JUST A YEAR LATER HANGING ROCK ROAD WAS OPENED.

THE CHAPEL WAS DESIGNED BY WILSON AIR JUNIOR, WHO HAD ATTENDED SCHOOL IN NEWPORT.

THE WINDOWS WHERE THE WORK OF AN EXCLUSIVE ARTIST, MANUFACTURED AT THE FIRM OF ARMSTRONG'S COLLEAGUE, LEWIS TIFFANY.

IN A CEREMONY COMMEMORATING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY, THE RECTOR NOTED THAT -- >> ALMOST EVERY FAMILY OF PROVIDENCE IN NEWPORT -- PROMINENCE IN NEWPORT AND EVERY FAMILY CONTRIBUTED LIBERALLY TOWARD THEIR MEANS, TOWARD THE ERECTOR AND OF THE CHURCH.

>> AMONG THOSE WERE EDWIN BOOTH, BROTHER OF JOHN WILKES, WHOSE HOUSES WERE AMONG THE FIRST ON INDIAN AVENUE.

SAINT COLUMBA'WAS SERVEDS BY VISITING CLERGY.

THE REVEREND JOHN DIAMOND TOOK CHARGE OF THE CONGREGATION IN 1888 AND WOULD GO ON TO FOUND ST. GEORGE'S SCHOOL EIGHT YEARS LATER.

UNTIL THE SCHOOL BUILT ITS OWN CHAPEL, STUDENTS WALKED TO SAINT COLUMBA'S EACH WEEK.

THAT WALK MAY BE COLD OR RAINY OR SNOWY, BUT IT WAS ALWAYS BREATHTAKING.

MORE THAN A CENTURY LATER, MANY GENERATIONS HAVE BEEN FAIR CONGREGATIONS, CHRISTENING THEIR CHILDREN, MARRYING THEIR SWEETHEARTS, AND BURYING THEIR LOVED ONES.

IT IS A PRIMER OF LOCAL HISTORY WITH STONES BEARING ILLUSTRIOUS NAMES.

THE CURRENT PARISH HALL WAS BUILT IN 2001, REFLECTING THE STYLE OF THE CHURCH.

IN JUNE, WHEN SAINT COLUMBA'S HOLDS ITS ANNUAL ENGLISH GARDEN PARTY, SOMETHING OF THE SAME SPIRIT THAT BUILT A LITTLE STONE CHAPEL IS VISIBLE IN ABUNDANCE.

SCORES OF PARISHIONERS, FRIENDS, AND NEIGHBORS WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE SOMETHING SPECIAL, TO THE GLORY OF THEIR GOD AND THE BELOVED CHURCH THAT MARY CLARK START EVENT DREAMED -- STURTEVANT DREAMED AND TO EXISTENCE.

♪ >> THE VIEW FROM ST. GEORGE'S AND THE VIEW OF ST. GEORGE'S IS SIGNIFICANT ON THE MIDDLETOWN SKYLINE.

FOR ME, THERE IS A REAL PERSONAL CONNECTION.

MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER WENT TO ST. GEORGE'S AND MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER -- I AM THERE AS HEAD OF SCHOOL AND MY STUN -- MY SON IS A STUDENT.

I AM EXCITED TO SHARE THE HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL THAT MEANS SO MUCH TO ME AND THE TOWN.

IT WAS FOUNDED IN 1896 BY REVEREND JOHN DIAMOND.

HE HAS GOT QUITE A LEGACY.

HE STARTED THE SCHOOL FOR ABOUT A DOZEN BOYS AND IT HAPPENED ORIGINALLY IN A HOUSE IN NEWPORT -- TWO DIFFERENT HOUSES.

HE WAS ORIGINALLY A DEACON AT SAINT COLUMBA'S IN MIDDLETOWN, SO HE HAD A CONNECTION.

HE WAS FROM PROVIDENCE BUT HAD A CONNECTION TO MIDDLETOWN.

SO, CAME AND STARTED THE SCHOOL, FOUND A HOUSE TO RENT AND PUT AN AD AND HAD PEOPLE SIGN UP.

12 PEOPLE SENT THEIR BOYS IN 1896, BUT THE MAIN CAMPUS THEY MOVED TO IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY.

THE FIRST BUILDING IS OLD SCHOOL, THE RED DOORS STRAIGHT AHEAD, AND IT IS STILL REFERRED TO AS THE OLD SCHOOL.

REVEREND DIAMOND RAISED THE MONEY TO BUILD THE SCHOOL AND THEY MOVED IN.

THAT STILL HOUSES DORM ROOMS UPSTAIRS, AND DOWNSTAIRS INCLUDES MY OFFICE AND OUR ADMISSIONS OFFICE, AND A BEAUTIFUL COMMON ROOM OVERLOOKING SECOND BEACH.

IT IS JUST STUNNING.

KIDS LOVE THE BEACH.

WE HAVE A SURF TEAM IN THE FALL, GROUP OF KIDS WHO GO SURFING EVERY AFTERNOON.

ALL OF OUR KIDS ARE ALLOWED TO GO AFTER 6:30 IN THE MORNING WITH PARENT PERMISSION, AND ON A NICE MORNING IN THE FALL YOU CAN HEAR THEM WALKING TO THE BEACH.

WE ARE LUCKY TO BE LOCATED WHERE WE ARE AND HAVE A CHANCE TO CONNECT.

OUR STUDENTS DO A LOT OF COMMUNITY SERVICE IN THE COMMUNITY, SO WHETHER IT BE THE MLK CENTER IN NEWPORT OR THE VARIOUS HUMAN AND HEALTH SERVICE PROGRAMS IN MIDDLETOWN AND NEWPORT AND SAIL NEWPORT AND LUCY'S HEARTH AND THE WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER, KIDS ARE DOING A LOT OF GREAT WORK AT THOSE PLACES.

I AM SO THANKFUL FOR THEM FOR OPENING THEIR DOORS TO OUR STUDENTS BECAUSE OUR STUDENTS GAIN AS MUCH FROM THE EXPERIENCE AS DO THE ORGANIZATIONS.

ANOTHER AMAZING SPACE WAS COMPLETED IN 1928, OUR MEMORIAL SCHOOLHOUSE, BUILT IN MEMORY OF BOYS KILLED IN WORLD WAR I.

THERE IS A BEAUTIFUL SPACE AS YOU WALK IN THAT RECOGNIZES THEM , AND PEOPLE WHO WERE SUBSEQUENTLY KILLED IN LATER WARS.

ANOTHER BIG MOMENT FOR THE SCHOOL, THE CHAPEL WAS BUILT IN THE 1920'S.

JOHN NICHOLAS BROWN HAD BEEN A STUDENT AT ST. GEORGE'S AND WHILE HE WAS A STUDENT AT HARVARD, FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR THE SCHOOL TO HAVE A CHAPEL AT THE CENTER OF ITS CAMPUS, SO HE WORKED TO DESIGN THE BUILDING AS IT IS NOW.

THE DETAILS, THE THOUGHT HE PUT INTO ABSOLUTELY EVERY BIT OF THAT BUILDING IS AMAZING.

IT REMAINS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.

WE GATHER TWICE A WEEK, TUESDAY AND THURSDAY MORNINGS.

STUDENTS GIVE CHAPEL TALKS AND SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS ABOUT EVERYTHING FROM LIFE, TO THEIR EXPERIENCE AT ST. GEORGE'S.

OUR MISSION WAS FROM THE START, WE STILL USE THE SAME MISSION STATEMENT, PREPARE OUR STUDENTS FOR LIVES OF CONSTRUCTIVE SERVICE TO THE WORLD, AND THAT IS A WONDERFUL SENTIMENT AND SOMETHING THAT RESONATES TODAY.

>> THE HOUSE WAS ORIGINALLY BUILT IN 1857 BY RICHARD UPJOHN.

>> LAST YEAR THIS TIME WE RECEIVED THE NEWS THAT THE HOUSE WAS SUCCESSFUL IN ITS CAMPAIGN TO BE LISTED INDIVIDUALLY ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES.

IT WAS SUCH A TRIUMPH FOR THE HOUSE BECAUSE AT THE TIME WE BOUGHT IT, ALL ITS HISTORY AND GRANDER WAS LOST -- GRANDEUR WAS LOST TO TIME.

WE HAVE UNCOVERED ALL THE AMAZING HISTORY.

♪ >> AS WE CAME INTO IT, CHERYL, WHO WAS OUR HISTORIAN, STARTED TO UNEARTH ALL THESE SOME AGING COINCIDENCES -- AMAZING COINCIDENCES THAT WERE PART OF THE HOUSE, INCLUDING BEING LISTED AS THE MODEL.

IT IS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT BOOK ON THE HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE IN RHODE ISLAND.

>> THESE ARE ALL THESE CHAPTERS WE ARE UNCOVERING WHILE WE ARE RESTORING THE HOUSE.

PEOPLE WERE NOT SURE IF RICHARD UPJOHN WAS THE ARCHITECT.

HE DEFINITELY DESIGNED THE NEIGHBORING HOUSE, BUT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE.

WE FOUND THE LETTERS BETWEEN THE ARCHITECT AND THE CLIENT.

WE PROVED THAT RICHARD UPJOHN WAS THE ARCHITECT OF THE HOUSE, SO WE CAP SLEUTHING AND DOING MORE DETECTIVE WORK AND WE WANTED TO KNOW THE SECESSION OF OWNERS.

ONE DAY JOHN WALKED IN AND I SAID, YOU ARE GOING TO THINK I AM MAKING THIS UP BUT HE SOLD THIS TO ANDREW AULD -- ADOLPH ALL DRAIN.

HE SOLD ANTIQUES FROM FRANCE, HAD A SHOP IN PARIS AND NEW YORK.

THE STORE ON BELLEVUE AVENUE WAS THE JEWEL IN HIS CROWN.

WE STARTED LOOKING VERY CLOSELY AT THE LIGHT FIXTURES, ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THEY WERE RARE FRENCH ANTIQUES.

THEN WE FOUND A NEWSPAPER ACCOUNT THAT CONFIRMED OUR DREAM, FILLED A CONTAINER IN FRANCE WITH ALL KINDS OF GOODIES FOR THE HOUSE.

MOVING ONTO THE NEXT SIGNIFICANT OWNER, WE SOUGHT PERMISSION TO SPEND A FEW MOMENTS AT THE NAVAL WAR COLLEGE TO GO THROUGH THEIR ARCHIVES, AND WE WERE PRESENTED WITH THE PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE THE ADMIRAL HAD ABOUT RESTMERE OVER THE COURSE OF 20 PLUS YEARS.

THE ADMIRAL DIED IN THE 1950'S AND SYLVIA DIED IN THE 1960'S AND THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY CHILDREN.

A DEVELOPER BOUGHT IT AND IT WAS LATER FOR DEMOLITION.

WHILE IT WAS EMPTY, THEY RENTED THE HOUSE TO HOUSE BLUES MUSICIANS, AND IT BECAME A LEGEND BECAUSE FOR FOUR DAYS AND FOR NIGHT, IT WAS CALLED THE BLUES HOUSE.

ANYONE INVOLVED WITH THE FESTIVAL SHOWED UP AND JAMMED AND THEY RECORDED AN ALBUM.

THE COVER WAS A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE HOUSE.

♪ THIS WHOLE STORY OF HOW MUSICIANS OF EVERY COLOR CAME TOGETHER AT RESTMERE DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE CIVIL WAR -- CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT, IS IMPORTANT FOR RHODE ISLAND, MIDDLETOWN, AND CIVIL RIGHTS HISTORY.

♪ >> THE HOUSE HAD BEEN VERY WELL STEWARDED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNERS, MEANING THEY HAD NOT DONE ANYTHING, INCLUDING NOT RIPPING OUT ASPECTS OF THE HOUSE THAT WERE SIGNIFICANT.

IT IS A COMBINATION OF TWO DIFFERENT STYLES.

IT IS ITALIAN, WHICH RICHARD UPJOHN DID.

THE DETAILS INSIDE OR SPHERIC AND THEN WHEN ANDREA CAME IN, HE BROUGHT IN COLONIAL REVIVAL DETAILS.

WE LIKE TO CALL IT COLONIAL REVIVAL ON STEROIDS.

UNBELIEVABLE IN THAT MAIN HALL WITH THE CORINTHIAN COLUMNS, FLUTED COLUMNS, CORINTHIAN CAPITALS, AND JUST THE DETAILS.

IT WAS REHABILITATED BY RICHARD MORRIS HUNT WHO PUT IN HIS SIGNATURE FOR, WHICH IS, IT LOOKS LIKE A BOAT FLOOR.

IT IS A CONTRASTING WOOD POPLAR -- WOOD, POPLAR AND WALNUT WE THINK.

>> WHEN WE BOUGHT THE HOUSE, THAT WAS A PILE OF METAL DEPOSITED IN THE CORNER OF THE BATHROOM.

WE HAVE A FRIEND WHO SPECIALIZES IN THE RESTORATION OF ANTIQUE MOMMY.

-- PLUMBING.

IT IS A RIB CAGE SHOWER FROM THE 1920'S AND THE METAL IS NICKEL.

ONLY A FEW REMAIN.

>> THIS USED TO BE A FIVE-ACRE PARCEL, SO WE TOOK A LOOK AT THE ORIGINAL LANDSCAPE PLAN THAT CHERYL FOUND.

WE TRIED TO CREATE ON A HALF-ACRE, A LITTLE BIT OF THE VAST CITY OF THE DRIVE.

THE HOUSE HAS A PRESENCE ONCE MORE.

>> CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS HAS BEEN HERE SINCE ROUGHLY 1845, AND FOR MANY YEARS WE WERE OVERLOOKED WITHIN THE DIOCESE, THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF RHODE ISLAND.

THERE WERE POINTS WHERE IT WAS CLERGY IN THE DIOCESE THAT DID NOT KNOW WE EXISTED.

IN 1843, SARAH GIBBS LIVED IN OAKLAWN ON THE EAST MAIN ROAD.

SHE WANTED TO BRING RELIGIOUS SERVICES TO THE AREA.

THERE WAS CHURCHES IN NEWPORT AND ST. MARY'S WAS IN PORTSMOUTH.

BACK THEN, THAT WAS A GREAT DISTANCE, AND SHE WANTED TO BRING SOMETHING LOCAL TO MIDDLETOWN.

REVEREND HOBART WILLIAMS ARRIVED IN 1843, AND THEY DID SERVICES IN HOUSES ON THE OLD SCHOOL ROAD, BUT THEY STARTED OUTGROWING THOSE SO THEY MOVED TO THE OLYPHANT SCHOOL AND THEN STARTED OUTGROWING THAT, SO THEY DECIDED TO BUILD THE CHURCH.

ONE OF THE FIRST LEADERS OF THE CHURCH DONATED MONEY TO BUY ONE HALF-ACRE OF LAND ON THE SOUTH CORNER OF OLYPHANT ROAD WHERE THE CHURCH IS LOCATED.

RICHARD UPJOHN, A FAMOUS ENGLISH ARCHITECT, WAS COMMISSIONED TO DESIGN THE CHURCH, FOR THE PRINCELY SUM OF $55.

HE WAS COMMISSIONED TO DESIGN THE CHURCH.

IN OCTOBER 1845, CHURCH WAS CONSECRATED.

FOR MANY YEARS, THE CHURCH WAS A PART OF ST. MARY'S IN PORTSMOUTH WHERE A SINGLE PRIEST SERVED BOTH.

THIS WENT FOR CLOSE TO 100 YEARS.

ARCHIE BERDYCH, THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE CHURCH INSTITUTE IN NEWPORT SAID, I WILL COME OUT AND GIVE IT A TRY.

THAT WAS IN 1959, AND HE STAYED ON UNTIL 1982, 23 YEARS.

WE ARE A SMALL CONGREGATION.

AVERAGE SUNDAY ATTENDANCE IS 28 TO 32.

WE DO QUITE A LOT ♪ -- WE DO QUITE A LOT.

♪ WE ARE INVOLVED WITH EMMANUEL CHURCH IN NEWPORT.

THEY DO A SOUP'S ON SOUP KITCHEN EVERY MONTH.

WE ASSIST THEM WITH THAT.

WE DO OUR BLESSING BAGS, ONE GALLON ZIPLOC BAGS THAT WE FELL WITH ITEMS A HOMELESS PERSON COULD POTENTIALLY USE.

YOU WILL SEE PICTURS OF OPERATION TURKEY SANDWICH.

WE PUT THESE SANDWICHES TOGETHER IN PAPER BAGS WITH A SMALL BOTTLE OF WATER, A COOKIE OR SOME SORT OF TREAT, AND WE GO AROUND TO LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT ARE OPEN ON THANKSGIVING MORNING AND GIVE THEM LUNCH.

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY SHOULD BE EVERY CHURCH'S GOAL.

WE DO IT AS BEST WE CAN.

♪ >> PRESCOTT FARM IS ON THE BORDER OF MIDDLETOWN IN PORTSMOUTH.

DUTCH AND FORT SMITH.

-- AND FORT SMITH.

-- FORT SMITH.

PORTSMITH.

MIDDLETOWN'S OFFICIAL SEAL HAS A WINDMILL ON IT, SO I THOUGHT THAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED.

I WENT OUT AND HAD A GREAT INTERVIEW WITH SOMEONE FROM THE NEWPORT RESTORATION FOUNDATION WHO OWNS THE PROPERTY AND MANAGES IT.

>> I SERVE AS THE PUBLIC PROGRAMS MANAGER FOR THE NEWPORT RESTORATION FOUNDATION.

PRESCOTT FARM AS ONE OF OUR MANY PROPERTIES AND IT DATES TO THE EARLIEST HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.

PRESCOTT FARM IS NAMED AFTER GENERAL PRESCOTT, THE COMMANDER OF THE BRITISH FORCES IN RHODE ISLAND DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, NOT A POPULAR GUY AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE.

HE LIVED IN THE BIG HOUSE HERE ON THE PROPERTY.

HE OCCUPIED THAT HOUSE WHEN HE CAME TO OVERSEE THE TROOPS BECAUSE IT WAS BIG AND IMPRESSIVE, AND SITS ON A HILL THAT GAVE HIM A GOOD VIEW OF THE LAND AROUND HIM AND THE BAY FURTHER BEYOND.

THE AMERICAN REBELS WERE NOT PLEASED WITH THE OCCUPYING FORCES, AND A MAN NAMED WILLIAM BARTON IN 1777 LED A RAID OF PRESCOTT'S HOME AND CAPTURED THE GENERAL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.

HE WAS CAUGHT IN HIS NIGHTCLOTHES, WHICH LED TO HIM BEING CALLED THE BAREFOOT GENERAL.

HE WAS EVENTUALLY TRADED FOR AN AMERICAN GENERAL, CHARLES LEE.

HE WAS RETURNED TO THE BRITISH SIDE IN EXCHANGE FOR A KEY MILITARY FIGURE ON THE AMERICAN PATRIOT DIED.

-- PATRIOT SIDE.

WE HAVE COME EMMA DATED -- COMMEMORATED THIS MOMENT.

THE HOUSE AND FARM STILL EXIST.

THE LARGEST OPEN SPACE ON AQUIDNECK ISLAND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, WE HAVE ABOUT 40 ACRES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ISLAND.

DORIS DUKE FOUNDED THE NEWPORT RESTORATION FOUNDATION IN 1968 WITH THE IDEA OF CELEBRATING AND PRESERVING AQUIDNECK ISLAND'S 18TH AND 19TH CENTURY ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE.

SHE PURCHASED THIS LAND IN 1969 WITH THE NOTION THAT THIS WOULD BECOME A LIVING HISTORY SITE, AND SHE RELOCATED A NUMBER OF BUILDINGS TO THE PROPERTY.

THE BUILDINGS YOU SEE TODAY, MANY OF THESE DID NOT EXIST HISTORICALLY.

THEY WERE MOVED IN THE 1960'S AND 1970'S.

THAT INCLUDES THE MEN DWELL WE ALL SEE -- WINDMILL WE ALL SEE.

IT WAS ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT SITES BEFORE COMING TO THIS ONE, AND IT IS NOW AN ICONIC ALDEAN IN MIDDLETOWN.

DORIS DUKE'S VISION OF A HISTORIC SITE NEVER FULLY CAME TO FOR RUSSIAN, BUT HER DREAM -- FRUITION, BUT HER DREAM THAT THIS BECOME A PUBLIC PARK DID COME TRUE.

>> I HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF PERSONAL HISTORY WITH PRESCOTT FARM.

A HOUSE THAT NOW SITS THERE USED TO BE IN PORTSMOUTH, THE RECTORY AT SAINT BARNABAS CHURCH.

MY GRANDMOTHER FOR ALL OF THE 1970'S THROUGH THE 1980'S WAS THE LIVE IN HOUSEKEEPER FOR SAINT BARNABAS CHURCH, SO SHE LIVED IN THAT HOUSE ON EAST MAIN ROAD AT SAINT BARNABAS.

>> WE HOPE TO EXPAND ACCESS FOR MORE PEOPLE TO ENJOY.

WE HOPE MORE PEOPLE SEE THIS AS A PUBLIC PARK WHERE THEY CAN EXPLORE.

JUST KEEPING IT FREE OF DEVELOPMENT AND MODERNIZATION, WE ARE HOPING TO PRESERVE SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT THIS PLACE.

ON AN ISLAND, THERE IS ONLY SO MUCH SPACE TO GROW AND DEVELOP, AND WE SEE IT AS OUR ROLE TO PROTECT THIS PLOT OF 40 ACRES AND WHAT IT MEANS TO THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE.

♪ >> IT'S JUST A GORGEOUS AREA WHERE YOU CAN WALK TRAILS AND SEE WILDLIFE, AND YOU ARE HUGGING THE ROCKY SHORELINE, JUST BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHY, BIRDING SPOTS.

I SPOKE WITH JANICE FROM U.S.

FISH AND WILDLIFE -- >> WELCOME TO SACHUEST POINT NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE.

♪ AS YOU CAN TELL, IT IS A PLACE FOR HABITAT, WILDLIFE, AND PEOPLE.

IT IS A PLACE FOR VISITORS TO COME REST UP, REJUVENATE THEIR SPIRITS, JUST LIKE THE BIRDS DO HERE.

THIS REFUGE TOTALS 242 ACRES AND IT IS DEEP IN HISTORY.

IN FACT, THE BEDROCK HERE WAS ONCE PART OF AFRICA AND IS 600 MILLION YEARS OLD.

YOU WALK THE PRICE AND OVERLOOK TRAIL, YOU -- PRICE NECK OVERLOOK TRAIL, YOU ARE WALKING PART OF WHAT USED TO BE THE CONTINENT OF AFRICA.

HISTORY WITH NATIVE TRIBES.

THEY USED THESE LANDS AS A PLACE TO FARM AND A PLACE TO FISH AND A PLACE TO MAKE TOOLS.

THE NEXT PART OF THE HISTORY HERE IS THE PLACE CALLED PARADISE.

FROM ST. GEORGE HIGH SCHOOL, PREPARATORY SCHOOL, TO THIS AREA HERE WAS ONCE CALLED PARADISE.

PEOPLE FROM FAR AWAY WOULD COME HERE IN INSPIRATION TO PAINT.

AFTER THAT, THIS LAND WAS RICH IN FARMING BUT NOT VEGETABLE CROPS, SO YOU CAN IMAGINE WITH THE HARSH WIND AND SALT SPRAY, IT WAS TOUGH TO DO VEGETABLE CROPS, SO THEY WERE MAINLY DAIRY FARMERS.

THEY RAISED TOWELS AND SHEETS -- COWS AND SHEEP, AND PLANTED CORN AND POTATOES.

AFTER THAT, THIS LAND WAS USED BY THE MILITARY IN WORLD WAR I AND WORLD WAR II FOR FIRING PRACTICES, AND THEY BUILT MILITARY OPERATIONS FACILITIES DISGUISED AS A SEASIDE HOMESTEAD .

IN THE WATER TOWER WAS THE RADAR COMMUNICATIONS, AND IN THE SILO WAS OVERLOOK SO THEY COULD SPOT GERMAN SUBS.

MANY FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY ARE CONNECTED TO THE HISTORY, WHETHER IT IS THERE DAD WHO WORKED IN THE NAVY AND THE RADAR FACILITY HERE, WHETHER IT IS THERE DAD THAT TRAINED HERE IN THE FIRING RANGE, OR THAT THEY HAD PICNICS HERE NEXT TO THE SILO WHEN IT WAS STILL A SEASIDE FARM.

THEY COME HERE TO TELL US THEIR STORIES.

WHAT WE DO HERE AS PART OF MANAGING FOR THE WILDLIFE AND MANAGING THE HABITAT, WE ACTUALLY CONDUCT PRESCRIBED BURNS.

WE PLANT NATIVE PLANTS.

WE BATTLE INVASIVE PLANTS SUCH AS BETTER SWEET AND GARLIC MUSTARD -- BITTERSWEET AND GARLIC MUSTARD.

WE ALSO HAVE SALTMARSH RESTORATION.

THIS BRINGS DIVERSITY TO THE LAND, INCREASES THE VARIETY OF BIRDS THAT VISIT, AND ADDRESSES CLIMATE CHANGE THROUGH RESILIENCY OF OUR SALT MARSHES.

WE ALSO PROVIDE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CLASSES WITH OUR PARTNERS, PROVIDE VOLUNTEER LED WILDLIFE INTERPRETATION PROGRAMS.

WE WORK ON THE TRAILS, MAINTAIN THE TRAILS, AND ALSO OBSERVATION AND PLATFORM -- OBSERVATIONAL PLATFORM.

IT IS NICE TO PROVIDE A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN CONNECT WITH NATURE.

WE BELIEVE IF WE MANAGE THE LAND, IT WILL BRING THE BIRDS AND THE WILDLIFE.

PEOPLE COME FROM ALL OVER TO SEE THE COLORFUL BIRDS.

THAT MEANS THEY ARE STAYING IN HOTELS, THEY ARE VISITING THE SHOPS AND THE RESTAURANTS.

THE FUTURE PLAN IS TO MAINTAIN THE FACILITIES, THE TRAILS, AND THE VISITORS CENTER TO BE WELCOMING AND ORIENTING TO THE VISITORS, AND TO CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THE HABITAT FOR WILDLIFE.

THAT IS OUR FUTURE GOALS, TO CONTINUE WORKING AND DOING WHAT WE ARE DOING.

♪ >> EXCEPT FOR SIX YEARS, I HAVE BEEN A LIFELONG MIDDLETOWN RESIDENT, GRADUATED THROUGH MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL, AND I STILL LIVE HERE.

MY HUSBAND AND I RAISED OUR SON HERE ALSO THROUGH MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL.

I FEEL VERY CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE SPECIAL PLACES WE HAVE HERE THAT I THOUGHT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE SEGMENT ABOUT MIDDLETOWN.

BEING A MUSICIAN AND HAVING SOME VIDEO BACKGROUND, I WAS LIKE, WHAT A GREAT PROJECT TO BE A PART OF, MY HOMETOWN.

I DID SIX SPOTS, SENSUOUS -- SACHUEST, PURGATORY, PARADISE VALLEY PARK, AND FROSTY FREEZ BECAUSE THEY ARE ICONIC TO MIDDLETOWN.

♪ I WENT TO SURFERS END AND TOOK SOME VIDEO, AND I HAPPENED TO GO ON A DAY THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF WAVES COMING IN.

I DID GET THREE OR FOUR SURFERS WHO WERE OUT THERE.

IT IS JUST AGAIN A MIDDLETOWN ICONIC SPOT.

THAT IS WHERE THE SURFERS GO.

THAT IS WHERE WE GO TO WATCH TH SURFERS.

IT IS WHERE WE GO WHEN STORMS ARE COMING AND EVERYBODY GOES DOWN TO WATCH THE SURF, IN.

-- WATCH THE SURF COME IN.

AT THE INTERSECTION OF PURGATORY ROAD AND TUCKERMAN AVENUE, THERE IS A PARKING LOT YOU CAN PARK IN.

IT IS ABOUT A HUNDRED YARD WALK, VERY EASY.

I READ IT IS BASICALLY CALLED THE SHORTEST HIKE TO THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE IN RHODE ISLAND.

IT IS BASICALLY A FISSURE CAUSED BY GLACIERS IN BETWEEN ROCKS.

THERE IS A BRIDGE YOU CAN STAND ON AND WATCH THE WATER RUSHING IN AND OUT.

VERY BEAUTIFUL.

ONCE YOU GO PAST THE LITTLE WOODEN BRIDGE, THERE IS A ROCKY OVERLOOK AND WHEN YOU ARE ON TOP OF THERE, YOU GET A VERY UNIQUE VIEW OF SECOND BEACH AND SURFERS AND, FROM -- SURFERS END FROM THE OCEAN SIDE LOOKING BACK IN.

IT IS BREATHTAKING AND STUNNING.

[BIRD CHIRPING] PARADISE VALLEY PARK IS ON PROSPECT AVENUE, JUST OFF OF PARADISE AVENUE, NOT FAR FROM THE BEACHES.

WHEN EARLY SETTLERS WERE COMING HERE, THEY CALLED THE AREA PARADISE, PROBABLY BECAUSE OF THE NATURAL BEAUTY.

THERE IS ANOTHER WINDMILL ON THE PROPERTY.

THERE IS A SMALL ONE ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE.

IT IS PART OF MIDDLETOWN'S HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

IT IS JUST A VERY PRETTY SPOT WITH LITTLE TRAILS.

I HAD FRIENDS FROM OUT OF TOWN THAT HAD NEVER BEEN HERE BEFORE, AND THOSE ARE ALL OF THE SPOTS I HAVE TAKEN THEM, DEFINITELY BEAUTIFUL SPOTS.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, YOU ARE LIKE I CANNOT BELIEVE I LIVE HERE.

HOW LUCKY.

>> I THINK THE STORY OF THE LIBRARY IS BEST TOLD BY THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ENJOYED THE LIBRARY, THE LIBRARY FROM THE PAST AND THE LIBRARY IN THE PRESENT.

PEOPLE WHO ENVISIONED IT, SUPPORTED IT, DEVELOPED IT, AND WHO NOW ENJOY IT.

I THINK THIS LIBRARY IS REALLY SPECIAL IN THAT NOT ONLY DID IT MAKE ME FEEL WELCOME WHEN I CAME ON BOARD AS LIBRARY DIRECTOR, BUT I SAW HOW MUCH IT MEANS TO THE STAFF AND TO THE PEOPLE WHO COME IN, THAT IT IS HERE.

>> LIBRARIES NOW ARE MUCH MORE THAN JUST REPOSITORIES FOR BOOKS.

THEY ARE ALSO COMMUNITY CENTERS.

WELCOME TO THE FRIENDS OF THE MIDDLETOWN LIBRARY INTO THE FRIENDS BOOKSTORE.

WHO ARE THE FRIENDS AND WHAT DO WE DO?

THE FRIENDS WERE ORGANIZED IN 1980.

WE INCORPORATED IN 1983 WITH THE HELP OF NORMAN HALL.

WE ARE A NONPROFIT, TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATION.

OUR WHOLE FOCUS IS TO SUPPORT THE LIBRARY WITH PEOPLE, WITH VOLUNTEERS, WITH FUNDRAISING.

WE HAD THE BIG BOOK SALE, AND THEN SEVERAL PEOPLE DECIDED TO SET UP THE BOOKSTORE.

ALL OF OUR BOOKS ARE DONATED BY FAMILIES, BY ORGANIZATIONS, BY PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE LIBRARY AND WHAT WE CAN DO HERE.

>> I AM A TRUSTEE OF THE MIDDLETOWN LIBRARY.

WHEN I FIRST MOVED HERE, GOING TO MIDDLETOWN, THE FIRST PUBLIC BUILDING YOU WOULD SEE AS YOU WENT TO TOWN WAS THE MIDDLETOWN LIBRARY, LOCATED ON WEST MAIN ROAD.

IT WAS BUILT BACK WHEN WEST MAIN ROAD WAS A DIRT ROAD, AND WAS LOCATED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF WHAT WAS CURRENTLY AN AGRICULTURAL AREA.

THE BUILDING ITSELF WAS A SMALL BUILDING.

YOU THINK OF LIBRARIES BEING LARGE BUILDINGS, BUT IT WAS THE SIZE OF A SMALL COTTAGE.

THE KEY FEATURE WAS BOOKS AND THE HIGH TECH EQUIPMENT WAS THE TELEPHONE, WHICH IS WHY IT ATTACHED RIGHT TO THE WALL.

OF COURSE, THE CARD CATALOG, WHICH LOCATED ALL THE BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY.

IT WAS A GREAT PLACE TO GO IN THE AFTERNOON.

I MANAGED TO GET MY KIDS INTERESTED IN BOOKS.

>> MY NAME IS SUSAN CONNOR.

I HAVE BEEN ASKED TO TALK ABOUT THE EVOLUTION OF TECHNOLOGY AT THE MIDDLETOWN LIBRARY.

WHEN I WAS TAUGHT, WE HAD NO COMPUTER EQUIPMENT AT ALL IN THIS LIBRARY, IN AUGUST 1990.

OVER THE YEARS, WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY.

WE HAVE 40 PLUS COMPUTERS.

WE HAVE STAFF TRAINED TO ASSIST OUR PATRONS COMING IN.

WE OFFER ASSISTANCE USING THIS EQUIPMENT IN THE LIBRARY.

WE OFFER LAPTOPS FOR USE IN THE LIBRARY.

WE HAVE STATE-OF-THE-ART PHOTOCOPIERS.

>> HOW WE KEEP PEOPLE INTERESTED AND REMAIN RELEVANT, WE HAVE 3D PRINTING CLASSES.

THEY HAVE BEEN WILDLY POPULAR.

WE ARE JUST GETTING READY TO START TO LOAN TABLETS, AND THAT WAS A LITTLE BIT SCARY BECAUSE WE HOPE THEY COME BACK.

>> INSURANCE.

>> WE GOT THESE REALLY NICE TABLETS.

WE LOADED THEM UP WITH E-BOOKS, SO YOU CAN BORROW A TABLET, TAKE IT ON VACATION.

WE HAVE A COMMUNITY GARDEN OUT BACK AND THAT DRAWS A LOT OF PEOPLE.

IT IS 100% SELF-SUSTAINING AND IS NOT A DRAIN ON TIME.

I HAVE A WAITING LIST OF PEOPLE WHO WANT TO HAVE A GARDEN BED.

THROUGH THE RHODE ISLAND BEM, WE HAVE TACKLE BOXES THAT WE LEND.

>> CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS, THINGS LIKE STORYTIME FOR THE YOUNG CHILDREN AND BABY TIME FOR THE LITTLE ONES.

>> JUST LOTS OF THINGS THAT YOU MAY FIND OUT THERE, BUT WHEN YOU DO IT HERE, IT DOESN'T COST YOU ANYTHING.

♪ >> AND I FEEL THAT WITHOUT THE LIBRARY, MIDDLETOWN WOULD BE A VERY DIFFERENT PLACE.

♪ >> AS A YOUNGSTER, WE HAD AN EDISON CRANK PHOTOGRAPH -- PHONOGRAPH THAT WE USED AS A TOY AND IT WAS A LOT OF FUN.

♪ ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO, I WAS AT A BIG ANTIQUE STORE AND SOMEONE HAD BROUGHT IN A VICTOR MACHINE -- VICTROLA MACHINE THEY HAD REHABBED WE FOUND -- REHABBED.

WE FOUND A RECORDING PHONE AND I WAS AMAZING AT THE CENTER -- AMAZED AT THE SOUNDS.

THESE MACHINES, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE A CENTURY OLD OR MORE, IF THEY ARE PROPERLY RESTORED THEY ARE AS VIABLE FOR EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL PURPOSES.

WHEN I RETIRED, I STARTED DOING THIS.

THAT IS WHY I HAVE GIVEN MACHINES TO MORE THAN A DOZEN POOLS AND LIBRARIES, SO THEY CAN STUDY THE TECHNOLOGY.

IT TAKES BETWEEN 70 AND 90 HOURS TO RESTORE EACH MACHINE.

IT IS MORE LABOR THAN PARTS.

IT IS NECESSARY TO TAKE IT APART.

THERE IS NO REAL WAY TO RESTORE THE THINGS WITHOUT GETTING DOWN TO IT.

THE REPRODUCE HOLDS THE NEEDLE.

THESE HAVE TO BE REBUILT.

PARTS ARE NOT EXPENSIVE, BUT IT TAKES ABOUT SIX HOURS TO GET THE WORK DONE.

HERE IS THE CRANK WHICH WAS TERRIBLY CORRODED.

IT TOOK 45 MINUTES TO GET DOWN TO THE STEEL.

A LOT OF THESE MACHINES ARE IN PATHETIC CONDITION, BUT TIME AND A LOT OF EFFORT MAKES IT WORTH IT BECAUSE IT RESTORES THE MACHINE TO AS GOOD AS NEW OR EVEN BETTER.

THIS IS THE MOTOR FROM THE MODEL 210.

IT IS BEING CLEANED UP TO RUN A LITTLE BETTER.

YOU WIND IT AND YOU CAN HEAR THE SPRINGS ADJUSTING TO THE TENSION.

PRETTY SOON, IT BEGINS TO MOVE.

THERE WE GO.

♪ THESE MACHINES ARE SPRING DRIVEN.

THERE IS NO ELECTRICITY INVOLVED AT ALL.

IT IS STRICTLY A MECHANICAL SYSTEM AND IT RUNS BECAUSE SOMEBODY DOES THIS.

ONE OF THESE MACHINES WILL RUN FOR ABOUT FOUR MINUTES.

THAT IS ENOUGH TO PLAY A 12 INCH RECORD.

ACOUSTIC PHOTOGRAPHY, -- PHONOGRAPHY, IF THE MACHINES ARE RESTORED IT IS A PHENOMENAL EXPERIENCE.

A MACHINE WAS USED FOUR DAYS A WEEK AND THEY ARE THINKING ABOUT ASKING FOR ANOTHER ONE.

WHEN I DONATE A MACHINE, I DONATE BETWEEN FOUR AND SIX DOZEN RECORDS WITH IT.

I WENT LOOKING FOR DISCS TO SHOW MY STUDENTS THE TECHNOLOGY AND % FOUND A TREASURE TROVE OF MATERIAL ON 78 RPM RECORDS.

PEOPLE WHO STARTED COLLECTING THOSE IN THE 1950'S ARE PASSING ON AND COLLECTIONS ARE COMING INTO THE STORES.

I FOUND THE MOST REMARKABLE THINGS.

I HAVE ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST RECORDINGS OF 11 MUSICALS, INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL "PORGY AND BESS," "SOUTH PACIFIC."

I WILL DO ANYTHING TO GET A KID TO LISTEN TO BEETHOVEN.

IN SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS, IT HAS BEEN ELIMINATED AND THAT IS SAD BECAUSE GREAT MUSIC IS GREAT LITERATURE AS MUCH AS SHAKESPEARE OR MILTON OR THE BIBLE.

IT IS GREAT STUFF.

OVER THE CENTURIES, MILLIONS OF PEOPLE HAVE FOUND THEIR WAY THROUGH THIS LIFE WITH THE HELP OF MUSIC OR ONE OF THE OTHER ARTS.

♪ >> MIDDLETOWN HAS A LOT OF GOOD THINGS GOING FOR AND A LOT OF GREAT KIDS, GOOD COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT.

THE HIGH SCHOOL IS A STABLE IN THE TOWN AND THESE KIDS ARE IN CLASS, THEY PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS AND DRAMA ACTIVITIES AND OTHER DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE TOWN, OUTSIDE THE TOWN, REPRESENTING MIDDLETOWN.

KIDS DO A GOOD JOB OF THAT AND DO IT WITH A LOT OF PRIDE.

>> GO ISLANDERS!

♪ >> EVERYONE HAS A GENUINE INTEREST IN THIS SCHOOL, IN THE TOWN.

IT IS FUN FOR ME TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT IT AND IT IS FUN FOR THEM TO SHARE WITH ME SOME OF THEIR EXPERIENCES AND ADVENTURES.

THE KIDS TALK ABOUT THE SECOND BEACH, RIDING THEIR BIKES, GETTING A JOB, THE TOURISTS COMING OUT, AND TRYING TO KNOW THE TOWN IS MUCH AS THEY CAN BECAUSE WHEN PEOPLE COME TO VISIT, THEY WANT PEOPLE TO HAVE A GOOD EXPERIENCE.

OUR KIDS ARE PART OF IT BECAUSE THEY ARE WORKING IN A LOT OF THESE PLACES.

YOU WILL HEAR FROM STUDENTS IN THE MANSIONS AND KIDS THEY HAVE MET.

THE HIGH SCHOOL DOES INTERNATIONAL NIGHT.

THE DEPARTMENT DOES A GOOD JOB OF ORGANIZING THAT WHERE MULTIPLE DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES ARE RECOGNIZED AND SHOWN OFF AND DISPLAYED SO EVERYONE CAN LEARN ABOUT THEM.

WHAT THEY LEARN FROM THE SCHOOL IN AND OUT, WE HOP THEY WILL TAKE WITH THEM WHEREVER THEY GO, IF IT IS COLLEGE OR TO SERVE OR TO THE WORLD.

WHATEVER WE TEACH THEM, SOCIALLY, ACADEMICALLY, WE HOPE THEY ARE ABLE TO TAKE THEM AND INSPIRE AND MOTIVATE OTHERS TO DO GOOD THINGS.

♪ >> HAVING GROWN UP HERE, I DON'T REMEMBER A TIME OR A SUMMER WHERE WE DID NOT GO TO FROSTY FREEZ.

♪ AGAIN, AS KIDS, WE WOULD SIT UNDER THE OLD TWISTED TREE ON THE TELEPHONE POLE THAT A PREVIOUS OWNER HAD BROUGHT IN FROM THE ELECTRIC COMPANY, AND THAT IS THE BENCH.

THEY HAVE A TELEPHONE POLE LAYING ON THE GROUND AND THAT IS WHERE EVERYBODY SITS, UNDER THE TREE.

>> MIDDLETOWN DOES NOT HAVE A DOWNTOWN, THAT THIS IS A SOCIAL GATHERING RIGHT HERE.

PEOPLE ENJOY SEEING PEOPLE IN LINE.

>> YEP, THEY HANG OUT IN THE BACK OF THE CARS.

THEY PUT THE BACKS OF THEIR SUVS UP AND SIT THERE.

>> TAILGATE.

>> TAILGATE, EXACTLY.

PEOPLE HANGING OUT BY THE TABLES, THEY EVEN SIT ON THE LAWN.

TURNS INTO QUITE A SOCIAL EVENT.

I AM KIM AND THIS IS MARK.

WE TOOK OVER FROSTY FREEZ JUNE OF 2000.

LEO CASSIDY OWNED BACK ON THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY, ACME LUNCHEONETTE.

IN 1956, HE OPENED UP PART OF THE TASTY FREEZE, PART OF THE CHAIN.

ANY YOU SEE THE ROOFLINE IN AMERICA OF A LITTLE BUILDING LIKE THIS, IT WAS ACTUALLY A TASTEE FREEZ.

THEY HAD ARCHITECTURAL PLANS AND BUILT IT.

PEOPLE WOULD BUY OUT OF THE CHAIN AND RENAME IT, AND THAT IS WHAT MR. CASSIDY AND HIS WIFE HAD IT FROM 1966 TO 1977.

THIS PHOTO, THE PERSON WE PURCHASED IT FROM TOOK IT OVER IN 1977.

THE CASSIDYS, WHO LIVED IN THAT TRAILER, ASKED IF HE WAS INTERESTED IN TAKING OVER THE FROSTY FREEZ.

IN 1977, HE BOUGHT THIS AND HE AND HIS WIFE RAN THIS PLACE UNTIL 1990 OR 1991, AND HIS DAUGHTER AND SON-IN-LAW TOOK OVER THROUGHOUT THE 1990'S.

WE TOOK OVER IN 2000.

>> WE ARE ONLY THE THIRD FAMILY TO OPERATE IT.

♪ >> THE FUNNY THING ABOUT THIS PLACE FOR US PERSONALLY IS THAT WE ARE FROM NEWPORT.

WE ARE BORN NEWPORTERS.

WE CONSIDER OURSELVES MIDDLETOWNERS.

WE APPRECIATE THE COMMUNITY FEEL AND MIDDLETOWN.

WE ARE INVOLVED IN A LOT OF THINGS.

WE DONATE.

WE ARE KNOWN TO NEVER SAY NO.

YOU COME LOOKING FOR SOMETHING, WE ALWAYS HAVE SOMETHING FOR RAFFLE PRIZES.

WE HAVE TONS OF GIFT CERTIFICATES.

IT ALWAYS COMES BACK TO US.

ANOTHER WAY WE HAVE IMPACTED MIDDLETOWN IS ALL THE KIDS WE HAVE HIRED.

SO MANY KIDS, THIS HAS BEEN THEIR FIRST JOB.

WE HAVE TAUGHT THEM ABOUT CUSTOMER SERVICE AND TAUGHT THEM HOW TO CLEAN AND HOW TO BE RESPONSIBLE.

WE HAVE BEEN TO, I DON'T EVEN KNOW NOW, 7, 8 WEDDINGS, BABY SHOWERS, BRIDAL SHOWERS.

THEY ARE ALL FAMILY NOW.

THEY COME BACK AND VISIT.

WE JUST HAD OUR 25TH FROSTY FREEZ GRANDBABY SINCE WE TOOK OVER.

WE ALSO IMPACT HOW PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT SEASONS.

PEOPLE THINK, FROSTY FREEZ IS OPEN, SUMMER IS AROUND THE CORNER.

>> WE GET CREDIT FOR SUMMER, CLAIMED IN WINTER.

-- BLAMED IN WINTER.

>> THEY WILL SAY, AT LEAST SUMMER IS COMING WHEN THEY ARE ORDERING THEIR CONE.

MY IDEAL SITUATION LEAVING HERE WOULD BE TO PASS IT ONTO SOMEBODY ELSE WHO CARES ABOUT IT AS MUCH AS WE HAVE.

HOPE IT IS HERE FOR A LOT MORE SEASONS.

♪ [CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS APTION CONTENT AND ACCURACY.

VISIT NCICAP.ORG] >> OUR TOWN MIDDLETOWN IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE FOLLOWING BENEFACTOR SPONSORS -- RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL SALES , GENERATORS AND BUCKET TRUCKS, COMMITTED TO HELPING NEWPORT