>> OUR TOWN IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE FOLLOWING PATRON SPONSORS.

-- FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT OUR I PBS -- RIPBS.ORG.

>> CHARLESTOWN TODAY, YOU WOULD SAY IT HAS NOT CHANGED MUCH.

>> OVERLOOKING THE POND.

♪ >> NESTLED IN THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE STATE, THE TOWN OF SCITUATE IS AN IDYLLIC NEW ENGLAND TOWN.

HISTORY THAT REACHES BEYOND ITS BORDERS, ONE OF THE TOWN'S MOST WELL-KNOWN AND PROMINENT FEATURES COVERS OVER 15,000 ACRES.

RHODE ISLANDERS KNOW THE RESERVOIR AS AN IMPORTANT RESOURCE.

FOR MANY RESIDENTS, THE RESERVOIR HAS A DEEPER MEANING AND PLAYS A ROLE IN THEIR PERSONAL HISTORIES.

MANY OF YOU WILL BE FAMILIAR WITH SOME OF THE LANDMARKS AND EVENTS FOR SCITUATE.

LIKE THE MUSEUM, THE PICTURESQUE GAZEBO, AND THE ART FESTIVAL.

BUT DO YOU KNOW THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS CLOCKTOWER?

OR ABOUT THIS UNIQUE BIRD THAT RETURNS TO SCITUATE EACH YEAR?

THERE IS MUCH TO LEARN IN THE NEXT HOUR AS VOLUNTEER FILM MAKERS SHARE THEIR STORIES.

THEIR VISION, THIS IS OUR TOWN.

♪ >> HELLO.

I AM THE PAST PRESIDENT OF THE CITUATE PRESERVATION SOCIETY AND A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE -- SOCIETY.

SCITUATE, RYLAND, WAS FIRST SETTLED IN 1710 BY IMMIGRANTS FROM SCITUATE, MASSACHUSETTS.

WE MUST KNOW THE PRESIDENT -- THE PRESENCE OF NATIVE AMERICANS.

HENCE FORCE CALM -- ALSO, THE NIPMUC TRIBE.

THE ORIGINAL SPELLING OF THE TRIBE WAS AN INDIAN WORD MEANING COLEBROOK.

IN 1638, REACHING INTO THE RIVER -- IN 1662, FURTHER BONDS WERE SET.

I HAVE TWO A WONDERFUL DETAILED MAP.

IT WAS HAND-DRAWN BY GEORGE MADISON, A SCITUATE NATIVE, HAND DREW A NATIVE MAP OF SCITUATE.

THIS SHOWS GEORGE WORKING ON A MAP FROM AN ORIGINAL AS HE SPENT ENDLESS HOURS UPDATING THE MAP ON A REGULAR BASIS.

IN 1731, SETTLERS DEVELOPED INTO A COMMUNITY LARGE ENOUGH TO BE SELF-CONTAINED AND SELF GOVERN.

THE FIRST TOWN MEETING WAS HELD AT THE TAVERN IN SOUTH SCITUATE.

STEPHEN HOPKINS WAS THE FIRST MODERATOR AND LATER BECAME THE GOVERNOR OF RHODE ISLAND.

HIS GREATEST ACCLAIM AS FOR THE OUT SPOKEN PROMOTION OF -- WHICH CLIMAXED WITH THE SIGNING OF HIS DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.

THIS SHOWS STEPHEN HOPKINS IN THE BACK LEFT, THE GENTLEMAN WITH THE HAT.

THE POPULATION GREW AROUND THE BILL -- THE VILLAGES OF HOPE AND SCITUATE.

ON APRIL 9, 1915, RHODE ISLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY VOTED TO TAKE 14,800 ACRES OF LAND IN SCITUATE, ALMOST 40% OF OUR TOWN, TO CREATE A RESERVOIR TO SUPPLY FRESH WATER TO RESIDENTS.

THIS DAY IS REFERRED TO AS BLACK FRIDAY IN SCITUATE.

1195 BUILDINGS, INCLUDING 375 HOUSES, SEVEN SCHOOLS, SIX CHURCHES, SIX MILLS, 30 DAIRY FARMS, 11 ICE HOUSES, NUMEROUS POST OFFICES, AND PROVIDENCE AND DANIELSON RAILWAY SYSTEM.

RICHMOND, ROCKLAND, SOUTH SCITUATE, SAUNDERS STILL, PARTS OF NORTH SCITUATE DISAPPEARED FOREVER.

THIS PICTURE SHOWS WHAT TOWN FOLKS REFERRED TO AS MEN IN BLACK.

THESE WERE THE WATER PROPERTY -- USE PROPERTY HAD TO BE ASSESSED FOR ITALIAN.

WHEN THE MEN IN BLACK SHOWED UP, SOMETHING BIG OR SMALL WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.

SOME RESIDENTS WENT PEACEFULLY AS THEY KNEW THE INEVITABLE WAS TAKING PLACE AND THEY COULD NOT CHANGE IT.

SOME WENT TO FORCIBLY.

THIS PICTURE SHOWS A WOMAN IN THIS GUN ON RESERVOIR MEN -- THE SCITUATE RESERVOIR, SINCE ITS CREATION IN THE 1920'S, HAS BEEN AN ESSENTIAL FEATURE OF THE TOWN.

THE STORY COULD GO ON AND ON AS EACH PERSON WAS AFFECTED BY THE RESERVOIR AND HAD 100 STORIES TO TELL.

HOW MANY COUNTLESS LIVES OF RESIDENTS WHO USED THE WATER HAVE A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE?

PLEASED TO HAVE THREE VILLAGES LISTED.

HOPE, NORTH SCITUATE, ENCLAVE IN.

-- AND CLAVIN.

WE ARE WORKING HARD TO KEEP OUR HISTORY AND HERITAGE ALIVE.

♪ >> THIS LETTER WAS WRITTEN SEPTEMBER 9, 1915.

"DEAR SIR, AS I ALREADY RECEIVED TWO MALES IN REGARD TO MY PROPERTY, I WISH YOU COULD CALL IT MY HOME FOR IT IS VERY INCONVENIENT FOR ME TO GET TO MY CARS.

MY TELEPHONE NUMBER IS ONE J TWO.

DEAR MADAM, IN REPLY TO YOURS OF SEPTEMBER 9, I SHOULD BE PLEASED TO CALL YOU AND YOUR HOME AT MY EARLIEST CONVENIENCE.

>> IN APRIL, 1915, THE RHODE ISLAND LEGISLATURE PASSED AS PART OF THE PUBLIC LAWS, AN ACT THAT GAVE THE NEWLY FORMED PROVIDENCE WATER SUPPLY FOR THE RIGHT TO CONDEMN LANDS OCCUPIED IN ORDER TO CREATE A NEW RESERVOIR IN THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE.

>> A REAL ESTATE BROKER WHO, AS EARLY AS 1913, WAS IN THE EMPLOY OF PROVIDENCE WATER.

THIS SOLE RESPONSIBILITY WAS TELLING THE PEOPLE THAT ONCE LIVED UNDER THAT THEY HAD TO GET OUT.

>> IT SEEMS TO ME I SHOULD ADVISE YOU THAT MY IDEA OF THE PRICE WITH WHICH THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE CAN AFFORD TO PAY IS $1700.

I REALIZE YOU DO NOT WISH TO SELL AT ALL EXCEPT THAT YOU ARE REQUIRED TO DO SO.

WATER SUPPLY BOARD VOTED YOUR PROPERTY MUST BE TAKEN.

THE CHIEF ENGINEER OVERSEEING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE WILD -- RESERVOIR -- >> OFFERED LOWER THAN MARKET VALUE AND EDWIN SEAL THE DEAL.

>> THIS WORKED MOST OF THE TIME WITH MOST OF THE RESIDENTS OF SCITUATE.

HE WAS -- SHE WAS NOT LIKE MOST RESIDENTS.

>> I DON'T SEE WHY I SHOULD HAVE TO GIVE AWAY MY HOME AFTER SO MANY YEARS OF GETTING IT.

IF THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE IS SO POOR, IT IS NO FALSE OF -- FAULT OF MINE.

THE LEAST I SHOULD GET HIS $2500.

>> PLOT 454.

JUST OVER THAT HILL.

ONCE OWNED BY HENRY -- THE COUSIN IS WITHIN THE CONDEMNATION LINE, HE HAD TO KILL -- DEAL WITH HER.

IN A LETTER, HERE IS WHAT CARRIE HAD TO SAY ABOUT MR. GRIMWOOD'S PROPERTY.

>> MR. GREMLIN'S CASE WAS PUT UP LAST YEAR ON THE BASIS OF $5,000.

HE EXPLAINS THAT SINCE THEN, HE HAS SPENT $1000 ON THE PROPERTY, SO THE ACTUAL COSTS AS SHOWN BY HIS ACCOUNT IS $5,500.

TO AVOID ANY POSSIBLE CRITICISM, HE TELLS ME HE WOULD BE SATISFIED WITH A SETTLEMENT OF $500,000.

I DO APPROVE THAT SETTLEMENT.

>> MR. POTTER ACTUALLY KNEW MR. GRIMWOOD, WHOSE PROPERTY THEY WERE WRITING ABOUT.

AS EARLY AS 1908, THEY ACTUALLY SET DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM ONE ANOTHER AS MEMBERS OF PROVIDENCE CITY COUNCIL.

WHAT IS EVEN MORE INTERESTING IS THE FACT THAT MR. POTTER AND MR. GRIMWOOD WOULD HAVE HAD INTERACTIONS WITH ONE ANOTHER.

THE TWO OF THEM BOTH SAT ON THE ORIGINAL WATER SUPPLY BOARD.

OUR FRIEND, HIS NEIGHBOR, SARAH, ALSO SOLD HER PROPERTY TO PROVIDENCE WATER, EXCEPT IT WAS FOR THE ORIGINAL AMOUNT AUTHOR -- OFFERED.

THE PLAN WAS TO SHOW WHAT HER PROPERTY ACTUALLY LOOKED LIKE TODAY AND THOUGH I HAVE ASKED REPEATEDLY FOR ACCESS TO IT, LET'S JUST SAY THAT IS ANOTHER STORY.

IT WOULD BE HARD TO TELL THE STORY OF THE TOWN SCITUATE WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT THE REST WERE IN PROVIDENCE WATER.

PROVIDENCE WATER IS THE LARGEST LAND OWNER IN THE TOWN OF SCITUATE.

MAJORITY OF THAT IS THE CITY OF -- THE STORY WE ARE SUBMITTING IS AN INTERVIEW WITH RICH, WHO IS OUR DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND OUR RESIDENT HISTORIAN WITH A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE REASONS FOR THE CREATION OF THE RESERVOIR, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF IT.

>> IT WAS CHAPTER 1278 OF GENERAL LAWS OF 1950 HERE IN RHODE ISLAND THAT CREATED THE WATER SUPPLY BOARD.

THROUGH THAT ACT, THE CITY WAS ALLOWED TO ESTABLISH A BOARD, CREATE A RESERVOIR, BUILD THIS TREATMENT PLANT ALONG THE TUNNEL THAT WOULD CARRY WATER TO THE POPULATION.

THE CITY'S WATER SUPPLY WAS ON THE PATUXENT RIVER NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF ROUTE 37 AND 95.

THAT WAS BUILT IN 1871.

WITHIN A FEW YEARS, THE CITY REALIZED THERE WERE SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS WITH THAT SUPPLY.

FIRST WAS WATER QUALITY.

17 MILLS UPSTREAM OF OUR INTAKE, AS YOU KNOW BACK THEN, THERE WERE NO ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.

THE MILLS AND FACTORIES DUMP WHATEVER THEY WANTED TO INTO THE RIVER.

SECONDLY, WATER QUANTITY.

THERE WERE NO LAWS GOVERNING HOW MUCH A MILL COULD MOVE FROM THE RIVER OR HOW MUCH THEY PUT BACK INTO IT.

WITH THE POPULATION EXPANDING, -- THE THIRD PROBLEM WAS BASICALLY GRAVITY.

AT THAT ELEVATION, EVERY DROP OF WATER HAD TO BE PUMPED UPHILL BEFORE IT COULD BE FLOWED DOWNHILL INTO THE CITY.

THEY DECIDED TO USE THE PATUXENT RIVER.

THEY MARCHED UPSTREAM, UPRIVER, ABOVE MOST OF THOSE MILLS, UNTIL THEY ARRIVED IN SCITUATE.

THERE IN THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SCITUATE WAS A VILLAGE CALLED KENT.

AND THERE, THE CITY'S COMMITTEE FOUND WHAT THEY WERE LOOKING FOR.

THE RIVER WAS CLEAN DUE TO LIGHT WHEN TO USE.

NOT A LOT OF COMMERCIAL OR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.

THEY HAD A DRAINAGE BASIN THAT WAS LARGE ENOUGH THAT IF A RESERVOIR WERE TO BE BUILT, THEY WOULD CONTINUE TO SUPPLY THAT RESERVOIR, FILLING IT UP YEAR AFTER YEAR, DECADE AFTER DECADE.

EVEN WITH THE POPULATION INCREASING THE WATER QUALITY ISSUE IS ADDRESSED, THE QUANTITY ISSUE WAS ADDRESSED, AND THE THIRD WAS GRAVITY.

THAT WAS OVERCOME THE ALSO.

THE VILLAGE OF KENT AND THE RESERVOIR THERE WAS OF HIGH ENOUGH ELEVATION THAT IT WOULD FEED THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE BY GRAVITY.

WHAT THE CITY HAS TO DO IS GET THE ABILITY FOR EMINENT DOMAIN, WHICH THEY RECEIVE.

THAT WAS THE ONLY WAY SO MANY PARCELS OF LAND COULD BE AMASSED IN ONE OWNERSHIP IN ORDER TO CREATE THE RESERVOIR ABOVE HER.

EMINENT DOMAIN WAS NOT THAT UNUSUAL BACK THEN.

OTHER WATER SUPPLIES HAD USED THIS IN OTHER CITIES.

TO ACQUIRE RAILROADS, THERE WERE ALSO MANY PARKS AND AREAS REQUIRED FOR EMINENT DOMAIN.

SOME EXAMPLES ARE REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK, GETTYSBURG, APPALACHIAN TRAIL, AND AS THE ACT WAS PASSED, THE CITY SPENT TIME IDENTIFYING THE PARTS THAT HAD TO BE TAKEN.

ALL OF THESE WRAPPED UP THE MAJOR COMPONENTS.

BY 1926.

LATER IN THAT YEAR, THE SWITCH WAS FLIPPED TO PUT THIS NEW SUPPLY ONLINE AND SHUT OFF THE OLD SUPPLY LOCATED AT THE PLC SET -- PATUXENT RIVER.

WE ARE NEARLY AT A CENTURY THAT THE RESERVOIR HAS BEEN FUNCTIONING MORE THAN ADEQUATELY .

>> WE THINK THE RESIDENTS OF SCITUATE AND THE TOWN FOR BEING A LONGTIME PARTNER WITH PROVIDENCE WATER TO BE SURE THAT RESERVOIR AND THAT WATERSHED PROTECT A SOURCE OF CLEAN, RELIABLE WATER, FOR THE STATE.

>> MY NAME IS DAVE.

WE ARE PLEASED TO TAKE PART IN OUR TOWN, RHODE ISLAND.

IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, WE HAVE ACCUMULATED AN ENORMOUS WEALTH OF INFORMATION ABOUT OUR UNIQUE VILLAGE.

>> I AM ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF THE HOPE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

IN THE SOUTHEASTERN PART OF SCITUATE.

IN 1765, AND IRON FURNACE BEGAN IN WHAT WE KNOW AS HOPE.

JOSEPH, JOHN, NICHOLAS, FROM PROVIDENCE, BEGAN THE FURNACE WITH THE ASSISTANT -- ASSISTANCE FROM STEPHEN HOPKINS AND HIS SON, LUCAS.

AT FIRST, THEY WERE MAKING KITCHENWARE.

BY 1775, THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR WAS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

THE BROWNS DECIDED TO MAKE CANNON AND CANNONBALL.

IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THEY PRODUCED CLOSE TO 1000 CANNON.

IN 1806, THE FURNACE INDUSTRY WAS NOT GOING WELL FOR THE BROWN OTHERS.

THEY DECIDED TO GET INTO THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY.

THE FIRST MILL IN HOPE WAS BUILT IN 1806.

IN 1843, THE WOODEN MILL BURNT TO THE GROUND.

A NEW MILL WAS BIRTHED IN 1844.

WHEN THE COMPANY GOT TOGETHER AND THEY STARTED TO BUILD THE VILLAGE OF HOPE, THE FIRST MILL HOUSES WERE BUILT IN 1806.

THE SECOND GROUP OF HOUSES WERE BUILT IN 18 71 AND 18 72.

THEY WERE OF THE SECOND EMPIRE.

THE THIRD GROUP WERE BUILT IN 1885 AND WERE CALLED -- ALL OF THESE HOUSES WERE OWNED BY THE LAND SO COMPANY, WHICH WANTED TO PROVIDE MORE TO THE VILLAGE OF HOPE.

THE VILLAGE WAS IN NEED OF A RELIGIOUS BUILDING.

SO THEY BUILT A METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN 1874.

THE MILL ALSO DECIDED IT NEEDED A LIBRARY.

DURING THIS TIME, TRANSPORTATION BECAME NECESSARY.

THE BILL NEEDED A WAY TO CARRY RAW MATERIALS TO THE MILL AND TO SHIP OF THE FINISHED PRODUCTS TO THE WORLD.

THEY BUILT THE PATUXENT VALLEY RAILROAD IN 1874.

THE SECOND TYPE OF TRANSPORTATION WAS TO GET THE PEOPLE INTO THE TOWN OF SCITUATE.

THE STAGE LEFT EVERY DAY FROM THEIR -- THERE.

PEOPLE COULD TAKE THE TRAIN FROM HOPE AND THE STAGECOACH.

WE HAVE THE WHOLE FURNACE, TEXTILE INDUSTRIES MOVING IN.

WE NEEDED A LITTLE MORE.

WE NEEDED A SCHOOL SYSTEM.

IN 1847, A SCHOOL WAS BUILT AND IT WAS CALLED THE HOPEFUL SCHOOL DISTRICT.

BY THIS TIME, THEY BUILT THE SCITUATE RESERVOIR.

IN HOPE, WE HAD STUDENTS GOING TO HOPE SCHOOL, A SMALL SCHOOL ACROSS THE STREET, AND THEY WERE ALSO HOLDING CLASSES IN THE OLDEST HOUSE IN THE VILLAGE OF HOPE.

IN 1929, AND IMPRESSIVE BRICK BUILDING WAS BUILT AND SITS UPON THE HILL, NORTH SIDE OF THE VILLAGE.

NEXT, THE VILLAGE OF HOPE NEEDED FIRE PROTECTION, PROVIDED BY THE HOPE MILL.

A HAND PUMPED FIRE WAGON WHICH STILL EXISTS AND IS DISPLAYED IN CRANSTON.

IN 1920, THEY WANTED TO ORGANIZE A NEW FIRED ARTMAN, LOCATED ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE HOPE COMMUNITY HOUSE.

IN CLOSING, THE HOPE VILLAGE WAS LISTED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC LACES IN 1989, AS A WAY OF HONORING THE HISTORICAL NATURE OF THE VILLAGE.

>> OUR STORY WAS ABOUT THE FACT THAT SCITUATE HAD NO HIGH SCHOOL UNTIL 1956.

STUDENTS WERE CURIOUS AS TO WHY THAT WAS.

THE RESERVOIR HAVE THE EFFECT OF CREATING A TOWN WHERE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO GET PEOPLE TO A CENTRALIZED LOCATION.

THEY THOUGHT IT WAS BETTER TO BUS THEM TO DIFFERENT PLACES FOR SCHOOL AND THAT WORKED FOR A WHILE.

POST-WORLD WAR II, YOU HAVE BABY BOOM AND MORE SUBURBAN DEVELOPMENTS.

THEY REALIZED THEY NEEDED TO CREATE A HIGH SCHOOL AT THAT POINT.

IT FOLLOWS THE HISTORY OF THAT TOWN.

>> HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS PASSED BY THIS PLAQUE EVERY DAY.

BUT FEW KNOW THE STORY BEHIND IT.

>> STUDENTS UP TO GRADE SIX MIGHT HAVE ATTENDED ONE OF THE 16 ONE ROOM, OR 13 ROOM SCHOOLHOUSES IN SCITUATE.

BY 1846, THERE WERE 797 STUDENTS IN SCITUATE.

ALMOST ALL WERE ELEMENTARY AGE.

AS LATE AS 1890, ALL ME 7% OF STUDENTS AGE 14-17 ATTENDED SCHOOL IN THE U.S.

IN THE 1920'S, THE TOWN WAS BEING DIVIDED BY THE RESERVOIR AND ITS POPULATION WAS SHRINKING.

NEW BUILDINGS TO MODERNIZE EVENTUALLY SERVED GRADES ONE-NINE.

HOPE CONSTRUCTED IN 1928 AND 1936, AND CLAY FILL IN 1936, GRADES 10 THROUGH 12TH WOULD BE SENT TO OTHER DISTRICTS, CHIEFLY PROVIDENCE, AND THE POLICY OF SENDING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS OUT OF DISTRICTS STARTED PUTTING ECONOMIC STRAIN ON THE TOWN AS SHOWN BY THIS ON EDUCATED -- EDUCATION SPENDING.

THE SECOND HIGHEST PER CAPITA COST IN THE STATE.

A SCHOOL PLANNING COMMITTEE WAS CONVENED AND THEY SUBMITTED THE REPORT IN 1950.

THE REPORT STATED THAT THE TOWN OF SCITUATE IS GROWING AT AN AMAZING RATE.

GROWTH STARTED AT DECK IN 1940.

THERE ARE ABOUT ONE THIRD MORE HOMES AND FAMILIES THAN IN 1939.

THE REPORT CONCLUDED AN URGENT NEED TO BUILD A NEW JUNIOR SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL FROM APPROXIMATELY 1400 HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE AREA, A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN TO BUILD THE SCHOOL BEGAN IN EARNEST FOLLOWING THE RELEASE IN 1950.

THE CAMPAIGN WAS NOT INITIALLY SUCCESSFUL.

WHERE TO PUT THE NEW SCHOOL BECAME A TOPIC OF DEBATE.

THE SITE OF THE SCHOOL TODAY WAS NOT INITIALLY FAVORED DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF LEDGE, WHICH WOULD COMPLICATE BUILDING EFFORTS.

THE TOWN COUNCIL VOTED FOR THE SITE BEFORE CHANGING ITS MIND LATER.

THIS MAP SHOWS ALL THREE PROPOSED LOCATIONS.

THE THIRD LOCATION IN THE VILLAGE OF NORTH SCITUATE AT THE INSTITUTE MAY HAVE BEEN THE BEST OF ALL BUT WAS DEEMED TO SENSITIVE -- TOO SENSITIVE TO PURCHASE.

ONLY 40% OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM SCITUATE WERE GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL IN 1950'S , COMPARED TO THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

A REFERENDUM WAS SET AND THIS DECISION TO BUILD A HIGH SCHOOL WOULD BE PUT TO A VOTE.

THE REFERENDUM PASSED, THE BUILDING CONSTRUCTED.

THE SCHOOL OPENED FROM GRADES SEVEN TO 11.

GRADE 12 STUDENTS WENT TO REVIEW'S SCHOOLS.

THERE WERE SPORTS, ON A ROLL, PROM, AND ALL THE ACTIVITIES A HIGHSCHOOLER TODAY WOULD ENJOY.

>> WE ARE PROUD TO REPRESENT THE TOWN AND CONTINUE THE TRADITION BEGUN IN 1956.

THANK YOU.

>> I GREW UP IN THE TOWN OF SCITUATE AND GRADUATED FROM THE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL BACK IN 1976.

I HAD A VERY UNUSUAL STORY ABOUT OUR TOWN CLOCK, WHICH SITS HERE.

IT IS A VERY INTERESTING CLOCK AND IT IS PART OF HISTORY HERE IN SCITUATE.

THIS WAS FROM A HISTORIC TRAIN STATION DEPOT IN CONNECTICUT.

>> IT STILL RESIDES ON THE PROPERTY ONE SCITUATE REALTY, AND ALSO SCITUATE INSURANCE OWNED BY A VERY UNUSUAL MAN.

I BELIEVE IT WAS BOUGHT IN AN AUCTION YEARS AND YEARS AGO.

I AM NOT SURE IF IT CAME WITH THE BUSINESS, BECAUSE THE BUSINESS WAS ALWAYS AN INSURANCE COMPANY FROM A LONG TIME AGO.

ONE SIDE WORKED AND ONE SIDE DOES NOT AND I ALWAYS WONDERED, YOU COULD JUST LOOK AT THE WINDOW AND YOU KNEW IT TIME IT WAS.

HE WAS A VERY INTERESTING MAN, TOWN COUNCIL PRESIDENT BEFORE, VERY INTERESTED IN OUR TOWN.

HE WAS VERY INTERESTED IN THE YOUTH OF AMERICA, I WOULD SAY.

I HAD TO MEET HIM BECAUSE I SOLD YOUR BOOK ADS FOR OUR YEARBOOKS.

HE WAS INTERESTED MORE SO IN ME WHEN HE MET ME, AND WHAT MY GOALS WERE IN LIFE AND THINGS HE MENTIONED ABOUT HIS TOWN AND HOW HISTORICAL IT IS AT THE REST FOR , AND ALL OF THE OTHER THINGS.

HE WAS INTERESTED IN WHAT I WAS INTERESTED IN DOING.

I WAS NOT IN A COLLEGE PROGRAM.

I WAS IN A BUSINESS PROGRAM AND WAS REALLY INTO THIS MESS.

NOW THAT I AM IN MY 60'S, I'M PROBABLY SIMILAR TO THE AGE SO THAT WHEN YOU COME INTO MY BUSINESS, I TRIED TO EDUCATE THEM ABOUT THE HISTORIC VALUES SCITUATE HAS.

ONE THING HE TAUGHT ME A LONG TIME AGO WAS THIS TOWN IS OUR TOWN, THIS TOWN IS MY TOWN, AND THIS TOWN IS YOUR TOWN.

WE HAVE TO ALWAYS BE REMINDED OF THAT.

WE'RE HERE FOR A SHORT TIME AND YET WE HAVE A PLACE WE CAN CALL OUR OWN.

WHEN I GET OUT OF WORK EVERY DAY, I GO BY THE CLOCK AND IT IS A KIND REMINDER THAT NOT EVERYTHING IS COSMOPOLITAN OR BIG LIKE THE BIG CITY.

YOU CAN COME BACK TO YOUR HOMETOWN AND SOME THINGS WILL NOT CHANGE.

I HAVE BEEN IN THE TOWN PRIMA JULY.

A LOT OF DIFFERENT PLACES.

WHEN YOU COME BACK TO THE TOWN AND THE CLOCK IS STILL HERE, IT IS A REMINDER OF, NOTHING HAS CHANGED.

IT IS STILL THE SAME LITTLE TOWN , THE VILLAGE OF SCITUATE.

>> MY GRANDFATHER WAS A BIGGER THAN LIFE CHARACTER IN THE TOWN.

MY CUSTOMERS STILL COME IN.

THERE IS ALWAYS A STORY THAT COMES UP AND IT IS FUN.

ORIGINALLY, THERE WAS A GARAGE THAT WAS OWNED BY MY GRANDFATHER.

HE EVENTUALLY OPENED HIS OWN SHOP, WHERE THE BUILDING WAS HIS ORIGINAL GARAGE THAT HE FIXED.

WHEN I WAS VERY YOUNG, HE WAS FINISHING UP BECAUSE MY FATHER WAS A COUNCILMEMBER FOR YEARS.

HE WAS FALSE IN THE WORK IN THE TOWN THEY JUST WORKED.

DURING WORLD WAR II, HE BUILT TRACTORS HE NEEDED TWO TRANSMISSIONS TO GET THE RATIOS LOW ENOUGH.

THE FEELS THAT FIELD WAS LITTERED WITH FORD'S THAT WE WOULD BUILD TRACTORS WITH.

IT IS FUNNY THE WAY WE PICKED IT WAS FUN, THE UNORTHODOX WAYS WE FIXED CARS.

WE DON'T REALLY FIX CARS LIKE THAT ANYMORE, BUT IT WAS THE WAY PEOPLE -- IT IS THE WAY THINGS GOT DONE BACK THEN.

SAYS A LOT ABOUT THE INGENUITY OF PEOPLE.

WHEN YOU HAVE TO, A LOT OF TIMES EVEN IN MY BUSINESS YOU HAVE TO REPAIR SOMETHING, AND AN OLDER CAR OR SOMETHING, AND THERE ARE NOT PARTS AVAILABLE FOR IT, OR IT IS SOMETHING WHERE JUST RECENTLY WE WENT THROUGH TRYING TO FIX CARS FROM GENERAL MOTORS.

WE CANNOT BUY PARTS FOR THE GENERAL MOTORS CARS.

YOU HAVE TO ADAPT.

YOU HAVE TO BE VERY ADAPTABLE.

THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS I LIKED ABOUT THE WAY THEY USED TO BE.

THEY MADE DO WITH WHAT THEY HAD AND THEY MAKE SURE THEY USED EVERYTHING THEY HAD.

>>'S NAME IS HERBERT MERRITT.

HE IS NEARLY 100 YEARS OLD.

>> MY NAME IS HERBERT HOWARD MERRITT, JR.

DATE OF BIRTH, 60 NOVEMBER 1922.

-- 16 NOVEMBER 1922.

I DON'T FEEL ANY DIFFERENT THAN WHEN I WAS 42.

THERE IS NOTHING THE MATTER WITH ME.

I DON'T HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.

I DON'T HAVE SENILITY, I THINK.

>> HE HAS BEEN IN THAT CORNER OF EVER SINCE I'VE BEEN THERE, 52 YEARS.

MY WIFE AND I VISIT OCCASIONALLY AND JUST LISTENED TO STORIES.

WE LIKE TO DO THAT, WE ENJOY IT.

>> 43 -- OH, 42, DECEMBER, APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AFTER PEARL HARBOR, I ENLISTED NOT KNOWING -- THE REASON I ENLISTED IS I DO NOT WANT TO GET ASSIGNMENT WHEN I WAS GOING TO GET BLOWN AWAY.

I JOINED AT GRAND CENTRAL STATION IN NEW YORK CITY.

I ENLISTED IN A TANK ORDINANCE COMPANY.

WE ENDED UP BEING THE TANK ORDINANCE COMPANY FOR GENERAL GEN. PATTON'S THIRD ARMY IN EUROPE.

WE SERVICED THE SECOND CAVALRY RECON, WHICH WAS REFERRED TO IN NEWSPAPER "STARS & STRIPES" AS PATTON'S GHOST ARMY.

I SET UP A SYSTEM AT 19 THAT EVERY TANK THAT CAME IN TO BE REPAIRED, I HAD TWO PRIVATES, AND WE TOOK ALL THE GUNS, HANDGUNS, EVERY TYPE OF SMALL ARM, MACHINE GUNS, NOT THE ARTILLERY PIECE, AND REBUILT IT.

WHEN THEY WENT BACK OUT ON THE LINE, THEY HAD BRAND-NEW GUNS.

>> YOU A RANK OF SERGEANT?

>> I WAS A T-4, THREE STRIKES AS A SERGEANT.

>> I LOVE THE LITTLE COMMUNITY OF POTTERSVILLE WOULD BE A NICE LITTLE ADDITION TO THE PROGRAM, BECAUSE IT IS A GREAT -- OUR R OAD THAT WE LIVE ON WAS EXACTLY THAT, TURNPIKE, MAJOR TRADE ROUTE FOR PROVIDENCE TO CONNECTICUT.

>> YOU HAVE LIVED HERE HOW LONG?

>> I'VE LIVED HERE SINCE 1960.

POTTERVILLE -- THE POTTER FAMILY HAD A BOBBIN MAIL WHERE THE POND IS NOW LOCATED, TWO PROPERTIES DOWN.

AND THE POTTER FAMILY LIVED AT THE END OF THE ROAD OPPOSITE IT, NEXT TO THE TAVERN.

THE TAVERN DATES BACK TO COLONIAL TIMES, AND WAS -- THE TRAVELERS WOULD STAY THERE OVERNIGHT BECAUSE YOU COULDN'T BEAT THEM TO PROVIDENCE IN 20 MINUTES.

ON THIS ROAD, THERE WAS THE REMNANTS OF THE TOLLHOUSE, BECAUSE THIS WAS A TOLL ROAD.

IT WENT FROM PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, TO PLAINFIELD, CONNECTICUT.

AND WAS HERE WHEN THEY HAD STAGECOACHES.

THE SCHOOLHOUSE IS STILL THERE.

THE RED HOUSE ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE IS THE WILBUR HOMESTEAD.

IT WAS A SEA CAPTAIN, CAPTAIN WILBUR.

>> HE JUST HAS SO MUCH KNOWLEDGE.

THAT IS WHAT IT IS.

JUST APPRECIATING A SENIOR LIKE THAT, AND ALL SENIORS HAVE SO MUCH TO OFFER, REALLY, NO MATTER WHAT THEIR EXPERIENCES ARE, IF YOU LISTEN TO THEM.

>> THIS IS THE THE HISTORY OF THE STATE POLICE.

THERE'S A LOT OF BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS HERE.

>> MY NAME IS JAMES T BACK.

I CAME IN THE CLASS OF 1963 AND RETIRED IN 1983.

I STILL LOVE THE JOB.

I THINK IF I WAS 202I WOULD PUT ANOTHER APPLICATION--IF I WAS 22 I WOULD PUT ANOTHER APPLICATION IN.

YOU COME IN HERE, YOU STEP BACK IN TIME.

PEOPLE COME IN HERE AND SAY, "YOU ACTUALLY WERE THAT AND YOU ACTUALLY DID THIS?"

>> I MEAN, RHODE ISLAND WAS RHODE ISLAND, AND EVEN WHEN THE COLONEL STARTED THE DEPARTMENT, HE WANTED TO ENSURE THAT ALL THE EQUIPMENT WE USED CAME FROM RHODE ISLAND.

WE HAD WAS TO TEXTILE IN PROVIDENCE, MADE ALL THE CLOTH FOR OUR UNIFORMS.

OUR UNIFORMS WERE MADE IN PROVIDENCE.

THE ONLY PROBLEM WITH THE UNIFORM WAS WHEN THE COLONEL LEFT WITH A GUN, THERE WERE NO GUN MANUFACTURERS IN RHODE ISLAND.

HE WAS INVITED TO A PARTY IN BRISTOL, NOW CALLED STATE PARK, AND THE OLD MANUFACTURER -- THEY WERE ISSUED BACK THEN THE COLT SIX SHOOTER, AND THEY CARRY THAT FOR YEARS.

>> LAST SEVEN YEARS I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A MUSEUM.

IT IS MORE ABOUT THE STORIES THAN THE PHYSICAL THINGS.

IT IS THE STORY OF THE MEN AND WOMEN, AND THE THINGS YOU DEALT WITH, THE THINGS YOU RAN INTO.

ONE INCIDENT I REMEMBER, THE PLANE CRASHED OUT ON THE RESERVOIR.

, I GOT THE CALL, "CAN YOU CHECK ON THE BRUSH FIRE?"

THE PEOPLE WERE STILL WALKING UP TO ME.

YOUR DAY IS HOUR-BY-HOUR, 50 MINUTES OF BOREDOM FOLLOWED BY 10 MINUTES OF SHEER HELL.

>> I REMEMBER A FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE PIKE.

THE WORST THING ABOUT IT?

THE MOTHER AND FATHER WERE DRIVING BY AND STOPPED AT THE FATAL ACCIDENT.

KIND OF HARD WHEN YOU ARE TAKING CARE OF THE ACCIDENT AND TAKING CARE OF MOM AND DAD AT THE SAME TIME.

IT IS NOT A JOB.

YOU HAVE TO WANT TO BE ON THE STATE POLICE.

>> THIS IS THE FINEST APARTMENT-IN THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES--FINEST DEPARTMENT IN THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES.

>> HOPEFULLY PEOPLE WILL REMEMBER, PEOPLE WHO KNEW, FAMILY MEMBERS, RELIVE THE STORIES OF THEIR LOVED ONES.

>> WE OWN AND OPERATE SEAGRAVE MEMORIAL OBSERVATORY.

WE PURCHASED THE PROPERTY FROM THE ESTATE OF FRANK SEAGRAVE, WHO PASSED AWAY IN 1934.

AT THE SEAGRAVES' DEATH, THE OBSERVATORY WAS IDLE.

WE REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE SELLER, AND AFTER RECEIVING THEIR CHARTER, PURCHASED THE SEAGRAVE ESTATE FOR $1000 ON NOVEMBER 23, 1936.

IT COME INTO BEING IN 1932, FOUNDED BY A PROFESSOR OF ASTRONOMY AT BROWN UNIVERSITY.

HE HAD COME UP WITH THE IDEA THAT THE AREA NEEDED AN ASTRONOMY SOCIETY, ASTRONOMY GROUP.

THERE WERE AAMATEUR ASTRONOMERS TO THE AREA.

THEY HAD THE FIRST MEETING, I BELIEVE THAT BROWN.

>> THIS BUILDING WAS BUILT IN 1914 BY FRANK EVAN SEAGRAVE.

STREETLAMPS AND IS ORIGINAL OBSERVATORY IN PROVIDENCE BEGAN TO AFFECT THE OPERATIONS.

THE TELESCOPE WAS THIS ONE, AND EIGHT-INTRO DOCTOR ORDERED FOR FRANK'S 16TH BIRTHDAY IN 1876 AND DELIVERED IN 1878.

AT THE TIME IT WAS THE THIRD LARGEST TELESCOPE IN NEW ENGLAND, THE LARGEST IN A NEW ENGLAND PRIVATELY OWNED.

>> IT IS A GREAT INSTRUMENT.

AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED.

IT PERFORMS ADMIRABLY TODAY.

PEOPLE WHEN THEY COME TO THE OBSERVATORY CAN EVEN THOUGH WHEN THEY LOOK AT THE WEBSITE, THEY KNOW THERE IS TELESCOPES IN THE BACK BUILDINGS, THEY ALWAYS WANT TO COME AND LOOK FOR THE TELESCOPE THAT IS IN THE DOME.

THE REFRACTOR DOES BETTER ON SOME THINGS THAN THE BACK TELESCOPE THE BACK TELESCOPES ARE BIGGER.

BY COLLECTING MORE LIGHT, THEY CAN GIVE BETTER VIEWS OF GALAXIES OR CLUSTERS OF STARS OR NEBULAE LIKE THAT.

IT IS GOOD FOR THE MOON, THE PLANETS, THE DOUBLE STARS.

TODAY, DO KNOW, YOU CAN JUST GET ON THE INTERNET AND LOOK AT MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF PICTURES.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT, TO ME, I GUESS I'M THE PURE ASTRONOMER, WHERE THERE IS NOTHING LIKE LOOKING FOR THE TELESCOPE AND SEEING THE OBJECT -- I WAS A FIRSTHAND, BUT IT IS FIRST EYE, IN A SENSE.

THE OBJECT YOU ARE LOOKING AT -- LET'S SAY IT IS JUPITER.

500 MILLION MILES AWAY.

FOR PEOPLE WEB NEVER LOOKED THROUGH THE TELESCOPE BEFORE, LET'S SAY THEY LOOK UP AT THE MOON, THEY SEE THE CRATERS, ESPECIALLY THE KIDS.

AND THEN SATURN, LOOKING AT THE RINGS.

YOU GET A GREAT FEELING WHEN YOU FINISH THAT NIGHT, WHEN YOU HAVE FAMILIES COME UP AND THE KIDS HAVE LOOKED THROUGH THE TELESCOPE FOR THE FIRST TIME.

IT IS REALLY REWARDING.

>> SPECIAL EVENTS HAVE ALWAYS PROVIDED THE ORGANIZATION WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO STRENGTHEN INTEREST IN ASTRONOMY THROUGH PUBLIC OUTREACH.

COMMENTS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A BIG ATTRACTION.

THE BIGGEST THAT THE ORGANIZATION EVER HOSTED WAS FOR THE RETURN OF HALLEY'S COMET TO THE DEPTHS OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM.

MORE RECENTLY, ANY FOLKS WHO VISITED THE SEAGRAVE OBSERVATORY TO VIEW THE AUGUST 21, 2017, PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSE.

SKYSCRAPERS HAS EXPANDED ITS FOOTPRINT.

IN 1952, A MEETING HALL WAS COMPLETED.

ADDITIONALLY, TWO NEW ROOF OBSERVATORIES HAVE BEEN BUILT, HOUSING A HOME BUILT 12-INCH NEWTONIAN REFLECTOR AND 12-INCH AND 16-INCH LX 200 TELESCOPES.

SKYSCRAPERS FOCUS HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO EDUCATE THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON MATTERS PERTAINING TO ASTRONOMY.

AND DON'T FORGET, SEAGRAVE OBSERVATORY IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE EVERY CLEAR SATURDAY NIGHT FOR TELESCOPIC OBSERVATION.

KEEP YOUR EYES TO THE SKIES.

>> THEODORE DEXTER AND BEATRICE OWNED DEXTER POND.

TEDDY DEXTER WAS KILLED IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE AND WORLD WAR II, AND THE FAMILY NAME TO THE DAM IN HIS MEMORY.

>> DEXTER POND HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE HAVE GONE ICE SKATING AND FISHING IN.

IT IS INTERESTING, BECAUSE IT IS A TRIBUTE TO MY UNCLE THEODORE DEXTER, JR.

I NEVER MET.

I ONLY KNOW HIM THROUGH WHAT I KNOW FROM MY GRANDPARENTS.

THE FIRST TELEGRAM THEY GOT WAS THAT HE WAS MISSING IN ACTION COULD MY GRANDMOTHER LIVED IN HOPE UNTIL THE DAY SHE DIED THAT HE WOULD RETURN.

THEY GOT THE TELEGRAM AGAIN THAT HE HAD PASSED, THAT HE WAS KILLED.

I BELIEVE THAT WAS A LITTLE BIT LATER, IN FEBRUARY 1945.

IT WAS A BAD SNOWSTORM THAT CAME TO THE HOUSE AND IT WAS ONLY MY MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER.

THEY WANT TO GIVE IT TO TWO WOMEN COME SO THEY ASK WHERE MY GRANDFATHER WAS.

HE WAS OUT PLOWING SNOW.

MY GRANDFATHER HAD TO READ THAT BY THE HEADLIGHTS OF A SNOW PLOW.

IT IS QUITE EMOTIONAL BECAUSE AS A YOUNG MAN, WE HAVE THE MEMORIAL DAY PARADE IN TOWN.

I'VE STOOD WITH MY GRANDFATHER AS A FOUR-, FIVE-YEAR-OLD GUY WITH HIS MAN 6'6", BAWLING HIS HEAD OFF LIKE I AM DOING, AND I WAS A LITTLE KID NOT UNDERSTANDING ALL OF THAT.

I UNDERSTAND IT NOW.

IT DETERIORATED, AND MY GRANDFATHER DIED IN 1964, MY GRANDMOTHER IN 1974.

AT THAT TIME IT BECOMES THE PROPERTY OF MY MOTHER, EMILY ANGEL, AND MY FATHER, WILLIAM ANGEL.

IT WAS IN THE EARLY 1980'S THAT THEY DECIDED TO REBUILD THE DAM AND FIXED UPON SO IT WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE TO FISH.

A LOT OF WORK WENT INTO THE POND TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

AS THEY DID THAT, YOU WILL SEE BY SOME OF THE VIDEOS THAT WILL PROBABLY BE PRESENTED HERE THAT THERE WERE CROWDS THERE THAT WERE FULL TO SHOULDER ON FISHING DAY.

IT WAS A GREAT COMMUNITY ACTIVITY.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT DON'T KNOW THIS WAS ACTUALLY PRIVATELY OWNED AND FUNDED, THAT IT HAS ALL BEEN DONE FROM OUR FAMILY'S FUNDS, NOT ANYTHING FROM THE TOWN.

IT IS USED QUITE A LOT.

YOU GO BY THERE MOST OF THE TIME, YOU ALWAYS SEE PEOPLE THERE.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO ENJOY THAT.

WE ALSO WANT PEOPLE TO NOT ABUSE THE PROPERTY.

WE AS A FAMILY HAVE BEEN GENEROUS ENOUGH TO DO THIS, AND WE NEED PEOPLE TO ENJOY THAT.

UNFORTUNATELY, THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE THINGS.

NICE LAWN AROUND THIS.

WHEN PEOPLE BROUGHT THAT ALL UP, SOMEBODY IS GOING TO FIX IT.

IT IS NOT MAGICALLY FIX.

WE NEED PEOPLE TO REALIZE IT AND TAKE CARE OF IT.

MY MOTHER WOULD LOVE TO HAVE LET PEOPLE ENJOYED THE FISHING AND THE SKATING.

>> HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT FENCING IT AND PUTTING UP TARGET PROPERTY SIGNS--PRIVATE PROPERTY SIGNS?

>> WELL, WE DO HAVE SOME SIGNS THAT SAY IT IS PRIVATE PROPERTY AND PLEASE USE IT AT YOUR OWN RISK.

FENCES RESTRICT THINGS.

MY MOTHER WAS VERY WONT TO LEAVE IT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

WE'RE TRYING TO CONTINUE MY MOTHER'S WISH.

>> THIS IS OUR STORY, THE STORY OF HOW WE MET AND HOW OUR LIFE AND SERVICE OF THE TOWN HAS BEEN INTERTWINED GOING ON 20 YEARS AT THIS POINT.

A LIFETIME RESIDENT OF THE TOWN.

I CAME TO TOWN, SERVING PART-TIME IN SOUTH KINGSTOWN, NOT ENJOYING THE COMMUTE.

SHE SUGGESTED, HEY, WHY DON'T YOU COME SERVE IN SCITUATE?

IT IS THE CLOSEST PLACE NEARBY.

SO I CAME.

AND HERE WE HAVE WHAT I LIKE TO JOKINGLY CALL THE SCENE OF THE CRIME.

BACK IN MARCH 2001, THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT AT THIS FOR RELOCATION.

THERE WERE FOUR CARS STACKED UP ALONG THE STITCH.

WE GOT OUT AND BEGAN TRIAGING PATIENTS AND FIGURED OUT WHO NEEDED TO BE TREATED FIRST.

>> WE HAD MULTIPLE PATIENTS.

>> WOW, SHE IS REALLY CUTE AND SHE SEEMS PRETTY COOL.

I WOULD LIKE TO GET TO KNOW HER.

THUS BEGAN SEVEN STRAIGHT MONTHS OF ME CHASING THIS GIRL AROUND, TRYING TO GET TO KNOW HER.

WELCOME TO THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE SCITUATE ANNELIDS AND RESCUE CORPORATE SHE HAS BEEN A MEMBER SINCE HE WAS 16 YEARS OLD.

SHE WAS RECORDED IN HIGH SCHOOL.

I BECAME A MEMBER, GEE, THANKS TO HER, AS A MATTER OF FACT.

A FEW MONTHS AFTER MEETING HER AT THE SCENE OF THE CRIME, AS WE SAY, I CAME HERE BECAUSE I KNOW SHE WAS A MEMBER OVER HERE.

>> I SPENT MOST OF MY TIME IN THAT LITTLE OFFICE GROWING UP.

HE SHOWED UP ONE DAY, AND LIKE CLOCKWORK, THERE HE WAS.

HAD A LOT TO DO, BUT HWE TALKED FOR HOURS AND I STARTED TO LIKE HIM.

I FOUND A PLACE THAT WAS STILL SERVING DINNER AT A LATE HOUR AND BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE BACKYARD, AND I WAS OUR FIRST DATE >--THAT WAS OUR FIRST DATE.

>> SOMEONE FINAGLED ME TO THE FRIDAY NIGHT CREW -- WE WERE KNOWN AS MR. AND MRS. FRIDAY NIGHT.

WITHOUT FAIL, EVERYBODY KNEW, CALL BETWEEN 6 P.M. FRIDAY NIGHT AND 6:00 A.M. SATURDAY MORNING MR. AND MRS. FRIDAY NIGHT WOULD BE THERE TO TAKE CARE OF IT.

>> AND IT IS THE MUCH HISTORY.

--PRETTY MUCH HISTORY.

>> HERE WE ARE SITTING IN THIS CENTURY OF THE NORTH SCITUATE BAPTIST CHURCH.

WE WERE MARRIED HERE IN 2009.

HERE WE ARE AT THE GAZEBO.

AROUND HERE, MANY DIFFERENT AREAS ADD SIGNIFICANCE TO OUR LIFE.

THE GAZEBO ITSELF BEING ONE OF THEM.

OUR WEDDING WAS GOING TO HAPPEN HERE, BUT RAIN HAD OTHER PLANS.

THANKFULLY ON OUR WEDDING DAY, THE RAIN LET UP SHORTLY AFTER THE CEREMONY.

WE WERE ABLE TO DO SOME PHOTOGRAPHY.

I USE THE SERVICE WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE INLAND SCORE.

WE SPENT MANY IS PROVIDING EMERGENCY--MANY YEARS PROVIDING EMERGENCY SERVICES IN CASE ABD THINGS HAPPEN.

I REMEMBER MANY YEARS AND ALL THE FRIDAY NIGHTS WE SPENT IN THE BACK OF THIS THING TAKING PATIENTS TO AND FROM THE HOSPITAL, AND LOOKING BACK AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, IT IS FUN TO SIT HERE AND SAY, MAYBE, JUST MAYBE I MADE A DIFFERENCE, EVEN IF IT WAS JUST A QUICK ONE.

>> YOU KNOW, WHEN WE SAY, OH, YEAH, WE OWN A HOUSE, THE HOUSE WITH RHODODENDRONS, THEY GO, OH, YEAH, WE KNOW THAT HOUSE.

I HAVE TO BACK OFF TO WHERE WE FIRST BROUGHT THE PROPERTY.

MY WIFE AND I HAD RECENTLY BEEN MARRIED, AND WE WERE LOOKING FOR OUR PLACE TO BUY.

>> CHUCK AND I DISCOVERED OUR PROPERTY IN WINTER 1999.

WE WERE LOOKING FOR A HOUSE WITH ESTABLISHED GARDENS, WHEN WE ARRIVED TO LOOK AT THE HOUSE, WE WERE AMAZED AT THE SIZE AND A NUMBER OF RHODODENDRONS.

THE HOUSES OF WAS UNLIVABLE, AND IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE GARDENS HAD NOT BEEN MAINTAINED FOR YEARS.

THIS IS A PICTURE OF THE HOUSE.

WE UNDERSTAND FROM THE NEIGHBOR THAT GAVE IT TO US THAT IT WAS TAKEN CIRCA 1930.

THE GARDENS YOU SEE TODAY WITH A LIFELONG PROJECT OF GEORGE HOWE WITH, LANDSCAPE DESIGNER AND QUARTER CULTURIST WHO WORKED FOR THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AND HELPED TO HIS DESIGN THE STATE PARKS IN RHODE ISLAND.

>> HE STARTED IN THE 1950'S AFTER HE BROUGHT THE PROPERTY, AND HE STARTED PLANTING A LOT OF RHODODENDRONS, LOT OF BULBS, DAFFODILS, TULIPS, AND STARTED ARRANGING THESE IN MINI-GARDENS WITH PATHWAYS TO THEM THROUGH THE HOUSE.

AND CONTINUED TO DO THAT TILL THE TIME HE DIED IN 1987.

>> IT WAS MORE THAN JUST A HOBBY FOR GEORGE.

FROM WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO THESE TOGETHER, HE PLANTED OVER 200 VARIETIES OF RHODODENDRONS ON HIS PROPERTY.

WE MOVED IN MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND AND QUICKLY LEARNED THAT NOT ONLY WERE THEY MASSIVELY OVERGROWN, BUT THE GARDENS WERE SEVERELY OVERGROWN WITH INVASIVE VINES.

WE BEGAN TACKLING ONE AREA AT A TIME, STARTING CLOSE TO THE HOUSE.

>> AS WE GOT TO KNOW THE NEIGHBORS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, THEY WERE LIKE, WE WOULD INVITE THEM INTO THE YARD, AND THEY'RE LIKE, HE'S GOING TO LET US COME INTO THE YARD.

WE HAVE NEVER SEEN IT.

THAT IS WHERE WE GET THE IDEA THAT IF SO MANY PEOPLE ENJOYED IT, WE SHOULD OPEN IT UP TO THE PUBLIC.

EARLY ON WHEN WE STARTED DOING THAT, WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO CALL IT.

WE DECIDED, WE WILL CALL IT GLEANER GARDENS.

WE STARTED ADVERTISING IN A MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, FRIDAY COME SATURDAY, SUNDAY, MONDAY, WE WILL OPEN THIS UP TO THE PUBLIC AND ENJOY THE FLOWERS.

FIRST WEEKEND WE DID IT WE GOT A DOZEN PEOPLE, 30 PEOPLE THE NEXT WEEK, THE NEXT YEAR.

WE STARTED GETTING WRITTEN UP IN MAGAZINES AND OTHER PAPERS.

BEFORE WE KNOW, WE WERE GETTING A LOT OF PEOPLE.

WE GROUPED UP WITH THE RHODE ISLAND PLANT SOCIETY, AND THEY GAVE US VOLUNTEERS THAT HELP US WITH PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING IN.

IT GOT TO THE POINT WHERE WE WOULD GET 300 VISITORS OVER THE WEEKEND.

WE DID THAT FOR ABOUT 18 YEARS BEFORE WE WERE LIKE, THIS IS A LOT OF WORK TO GET READY FOR THIS.

>> THEY COME TO SEE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE WITH IT ALL?

>> ONE OF HIS SONS HAS BEEN BY A COUPLE TIMES.

REALLY HAPPY WITH WHAT WE HAVE DONE WITH THE HOUSE.

>> WE'VE BEEN IN SCITUATE FOR 85 YEARS WE THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR THE TOWN TO KNOW THAT WE ARE HERE, VERY INVOLVED WITH THE COMMUNITY AND WANT TO BE.

>> THE GENTIAN GARDEN CLUB WAS ORGANIZED BY 12 WOMEN OF SCITUATE.

THE ORIGINAL 12 MEMBERS AGREED ON THE NAME AFTER SEEING THE GENTIAN WILDFLOWER.

MEETINGS WERE HELD IN MEMBERS' HOMES ON FRIDAY EVENINGS UNTIL 1943, WHEN IT WAS MOVED TO THE SCITUATE COMMUNITY HOUSE, WHERE WE HAD MEETINGS 75 YEARS.

THE OBJECTIVES WERE SIMILAR TO THE OBJECTIVES TODAY -- TO AID IN THE PROTECTION OF NATIVE PLANTS AND TREES AND BIRDS, TO ENCOURAGE CIVIC PLANTING, AND TO DEVELOP THE FLOUR REGION.

WE TAKE CARE OF THE WILDFLOWER GARDEN ACROSS FROM THE SCITUATE LIBRARY.

WE TAKE HER OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER AND THE GARDEN IN FRONT OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER.

WE TAKE HER OF ALL THOSE FLOWERS.

>> 1990, SCITUATE VILLAGE FRAME, IT HAS MAINTAINED THEM EVER SINCE, PLANTING SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR.

SINCE WORLD WAR II, DECLARATIONS MADE BY CLUB MEMBERS, EACH DECEMBER MEMBERS GATHERED TOGETHER TO CREATE OVER A DOZEN HOLIDAY SPREADS AND DISTRIBUTE THEM TO THE DOORS OF TOWN HALL, COMMUNITY HOUSE, OTHER TOWN BUILDINGS.

GENTIAN GARDENS ESTABLISHED THE WILDFLOWER GARDEN IN 1985.

IT WAS ESTABLISHED IN AN EFFORT TO PROVIDE RESIDENTS A PLACE TO STROLL AND SIT.

THE GENTIAN GARDEN CLUB WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN ESTABLISHING THE MEMORIAL IN 2015.

THIS BLUE STAR MEMORIAL PROGRAM IS A NATIONAL PROGRAM WHICH HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

IT IS COMMITTED TO PARTS AND A NATIONAL SITES AND OTHER CIVIC LOCATIONS.

TO HONOR, TO GIVE TRIBUTE TO OUR NATION'S ARMED FORCES.

GENTIAN CONTINUES ITS OUTREACH TO SENIORS AS PART OF ITS LIMIT TO COMMUNITY SERVICE--COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY SERVICE THROUGH OUR AWARD-WINNING THERAPY PROGRAM, WHERE WE VISIT NURSING HOMES.

IN 1960, GENTIAN ESTABLISHED A JUNIOR GARDEN CLUB, AND SINCE THEN, THE HORTICULTURAL PROGRAMS.

OVER THE YEARS, GENTIAN HAS MADE SUBSTANTIAL DONATIONS TOWARDS THE RESTORATION OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS THROUGHOUT SCITUATE.

TODAY WE PROVIDE ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS AT HIGH SCHOOLS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN ENTERING HORTICULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL FIELDS.

IN ORDER TO SUPPORT OUR CIVIC BEAUTIFICATION AND PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAMS, GENTIAN GARDENS HAS HOSTED FUNDRAISERS.

AS MEMBERS OF THE GENTIAN GARDEN CLUB, WE ARE PROUD TO BE CARRYING ON GENERATIONS OF TALENTED WOMEN.

WE SALUTE THEM ALL AS HE CONTINUED OUR JOURNEY TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE BY SHARING THE BEAUTY INSIDE AND OUTSIDE.

>> LAWTON FARM IS A CONSERVATION AREA OWNED BY THE TOWN OF SCITUATE, AND IS MANAGED BY THE SCITUATE CONSERVATION COMMISSION.

IT WAS ORIGINALLY OWNED BY THE LAWTONS, AND THEY USED IT PRIMARILY FOR HAY FEEDER CATTLE.

IT IS A TOTAL OF ABOUT 55 ACRES.

IT IS A NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL PROPERTY.

IT INCLUDES SO MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF HABITATS.

>> THIS IS THE OPEN PART OF THE LAWTON FARM, WHICH WAS ACQUIRED IN 1990 FROM THE LAWTON FAMILY.

THIS IS ORIGINALLY, AS YOU CAN SEE OVER HERE, WHERE THESE BALES ARE, SCAN OVER TO THE HOUSE.

THAT IS WHERE THE ORIGINAL BARN USED TO SIT, THE RIGHT-, LEFT-HAND SIDE OF THE HOUSE.

>> UNDER THE CARE OF THE SCITUATE LAND TRUST AND SCITUATE CONSERVATION COMMISSION, LAWTON FARM HAS BEEN MAINTAINED TO PRESERVE 55 ACRES , MAKING IT ONE OF THE LARGEST LENDING PRESS TEXT IN RHODE ISLAND TO IT IS THESE FIELDS THAT MAKE IT SO SPECIAL, BECAUSE THEY OFFER A UNIQUE AND SPECIFIC HABITAT FOR NESTING BIRDS, ESPECIALLY THE REAL GEMS AMONG THE NESTING BIRDS AT LAWTON.

THESE BIRDS ARE GRASSLAND SONGBIRDS, BREEDING ONLY ON THE GROUND AND GRASSLAND'S HAY F IELDS.

THEIR POPULATION IN RHODE ISLAND AND OTHER STATES ARE IN DRAMATIC DECLINE DUE TO HABITAT LOSS FROM DEVELOPMENT, EARLY MORNING, ANDREW FOR STATION OF OPEN FIELDS.

IF THERE WAS AN OLYMPICS FOR BIRDS, THEY WOULD WIN THE OLD METAL FOR THE LONGEST MIGRATION, TRAVELING OVER 5000 MILES FROM ARGENTINA, BRAZIL, AND PARAGUAY.

>> THE SAID PARTIES YOU HEAR WHAT IS GOING ON IN SOUTH AMERICA WITH THE BURNING OF ALL THE RAIN FOREST DOWN THERE.

WHEN THEY GET DOWN THERE, THEIR HABITATS ARE BEING DESTROYED MORE AND MORE EVERY YEAR, AND FEWER AND FEWER OF THEM ARE COMING BACK.

IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE A PLACE FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO NEST SUCCESSFULLY WHEN THEY COME BACK.

IF YOU GO OUT THERE IN THE SPRING WHEN THEY ARE NESTING, IT IS A JOY.

YOU CAN SIT THERE AND WATCH THEM FOR HOURS.

THE MALES HAVE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SONG.

>> IN ADDITION TO BOTTLINGS, THE FARM IS HOME TO AT LEAST BE SIX -- AT LEAST 36 OTHER SPECIES OF WORDS, INCLUDING NESTING BLUEPRINTS, WHICH STAY FOR THE WINTER.

>> THE LOCAL EAGLE SCOUT HAD A PROJECT TO INSTALL THESE BLUEBIRD HOUSES FOR US ON LAWTON FARM.

THIS TIME OF YEAR IN THE FALL, THEY ARE READY NEXT SPRING FOR THEM TO BEGIN NESTING IN THE NEW YEAR.

>> THIS IS A NEW WELCOME CENTER WE JUST MOVED FROM THE LOWER PART OF THE FIELD.

WE MOVED EVERYTHING UP FRONT SO WE COULD SEE THE CARS PARKED HERE.

THIS IS AN INFORMATION CENTER THAT GIVES YOU THE INFORMATION OF THE HISTORY AND THE TRAILS THAT WE HAVE.

>> THIS BRIDGE PROJECT WAS A MAJOR PROJECT THAT WE WORKED HARD ON.

THE IDEA IS TO PREVENT PEOPLE FROM MOVING STONES THROUGH THE STREAM AND DISRUPTING THE FLOW OF THE STREAM.

IT WAS A MAJOR PROJECT THAT WE THOUGHT OF, MAKES A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE TRAIL AND WALKWAYS.

THE APPRECIATION OF THESE BEAUTIFUL OPEN SPACES IN RHODE ISLAND IS DEEPLY EMBEDDED IN THE HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.

WE CHERISH WHAT WE HAVE.

WE ONLY HAVE A FEW OF THESE SMALL PROPERTIES.

LAWTON FARM IS OUR PREMIER PROPERTY, AND WE ARE SO PROUD OF IT.

>> WE MOVED TO RHODE ISLAND BACK IN THE 1960'S WHEN WE CAME TO SCHOOL.

WE HAVE BEEN HERE IN SCITUATE FOR 25 YEARS.

WHEN WE SAW THE SWAMP, WE DO NOT EVEN CARE WHAT THE HOUSE LOOKS LIKE.

WE WERE SO EXCITED BY THIS LONG.==-- BY THE SWAMP.

IT JUST WAS BEAUTIFUL.

THE FACT THAT THE PROVIDENCE WATER SUPPLY WAS GOING TO KEEP IT PROTECTED, IT HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL HABITAT.

THE THING THAT EXCITED US WAS OTTERS.

THE BIG THING WHEN WE WOULD SEE SWANS AND GEESE, BUT THEN WE SEE OTTERS AND OCCASIONALLY BEAVER.

WE DID NOT SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON ACROSS THE SWAMP APPEARED WE SAW THESE BOXES STICKING OUT OF THE WATER, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WE SAW THESE LITTLE THINGS POPPING OUT OF THEM.

WHAT IS THAT?

IT WAS BABIES.

WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW MUCH ABOUT WOOD DUCKS.

HERE IN RHODE ISLAND, WE DO NOT HAVE A LOT OF TREES THAT HAD GOOD NESTING-HOLE SIZES, BECAUSE MOST OF THE FORESTS ARE GROWN FOR US.

DEM HAD STARTED PUTTING NESTING BOXES IN THE SWAMP, WHICH IS A PERFECT HABITAT FOR THEM.

WE STARTED LEARNING THE WHOLE HABIT -- THEY ARRIVE IN FEBRUARY, THE MALES ARRIVED FIRST.

THE ICE IS STILL ON THE POND.

THEY WILL BEGIN TO HOVER NEAR CERTAIN BOXES.

AND THEN IN MARCH, THE FEMALES ARRIVE, AND THE MALES, THE DRAKE S, WILL TRY TO ENTICE THE FEMALE -- HOW ABOUT THIS ONE, CHECK OUT THIS BOX.

ONCE SHE PICKS A BOX, AND THAT CAN TAKE DAYS, AND THERE WAS COMPETITION BETWEEN THE HENS, THEY WILL START TO LAY ONE EGG A DAY, TILL SHE HAS 12 OR 15 EGGS.

ONCE SHE HAS HER CLUTCH, SHE STAYS ALL DAY AND ROLLS THEM, MOVES FROM THE CENTER TO THE OUTSIDE, COVERS THEM WENT DOWN.

THIS GOES ON FOR 28 TO 32 DAYS SITTING IN A BOX, ALL DAY, ALL NIGHT.

THE ONLY TIME SHE LEAVES IS BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND DINNER.

SHE IS ALWAYS TALKING TO THE EGGS.

WHEN THEY START TO BREAK, THAT ALL HATCH WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

THEY HAVE 24 HOURS TO BREAK OUT OF THEIR SHELL, DRY OUT, FLUFF UP AND GET STRONG, SLEEP -- THE EXERCISE -- THEY CLIMB AROUND ON THE BOX, AND THEN THE NEXT MORNING, SHE WILL GO OUT OF THE BOX AND COME BACK A FEW TIMES CHECKING FOR PREDATORS, MAKING SURE IT IS SAFE.

WHEN SHE IS CONFIDENT IT IS SAFE, SHE WILL JUMP OUT INTO THE WATER AND CALL THEM.

THE ONES THAT WE HAVE OUR 18 TO 20 FEET UP IN THE TREES.

OTHERS ARE IN THE WATER.

IT COULD BE A SHORT JUMP RIGHT TO THE WATER, OR THEY CLIMB TO THE WHOLE AND THEY HAVE TO JUST DARE TO JUMP, AND SHE WILL TAKE THEM ACROSS THE POND AND EVENTUALLY GET INTO WHAT WE CALL INDUSTRY CODES -- CALL A NURSERY COVE, A SHALLOW AREA.

WE HAVE NINE BOXES UP THERE NOW.

WE STARTED WITH THE FIVE THAT THE EM PUT UP.

MICHAEL FIGURED OUT A WAY TO BUILD THE BOXES TO PUT THE CAMERA ON THE INSIDE AND CABLE IT TO THE HOUSE.

THE RESERVOIR LAND MAKES IT A PERFECT PLACE FOR THE ONE LIFE TO BE, SO THAT WE HAVE THE BENEFIT OF BEING NEARBY AND HAPPEN TO HAVE A LITTLE HOUSE THAT LOOKS OUT ON THIS.

VERY GRATEFUL WE FOUND THIS PLACE.

>> THE TOWN HAS HAD THE SENIOR CENTER FOR ABOUT 16 YEARS.

I THINK IT WAS IMPORTANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

WHAT WE DO THERE IS LIAISON AMONG THE TOWN SENIORS THAN THE OUTSIDE STATE AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.

WHEN THEY COME INTO THIS BUILDING, I WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT IT IS MORE OF A PLACE TO GATHER.

THEY FEEL AS THOUGH THEY ARE HAPPY AND SAFE THERE.

>> I'M JUST SO HAPPY THAT THE TOWN OF SCITUATE UTILIZED TO THIS BUILDING.

>> THE BUILDING WAS A RESTAURANT CALLED CHOPMIST HILL INN, WHERE THEY WOULD BE BANQUETS.

IT IS A HUGE PART OF THE TOWN'S HISTORY.

TO PRESERVE THAT MIGHT INDICATE WHEN ENTIRE ROOM IN THE BUILDING, AND I HAVE ALL THE MENUS, MATCHBOXES.

I ALSO HAVE PICTURES.

>> PEOPLE FROM PROVIDENCE COME OUT, THEY HAVE THE CLAMBAKE'S, CRABCAKES, NEW ENGLAND SHORT DINNER, THEY CALLED IT.

>> I'VE TRIED TO TURN IT INTO MORE OF A COMMUNITY TYPE OF CENTER THAT IS BASED AROUND THE ELDERLY, AND THE AGE RANGE SHOULD BE GOING INT THERE.

I HAVE A LOT OF CHILDREN THAT GO INTO ALL THE TIME, GIRL SCOUTS AND BOY SCOUTS.

THE INTERGENERATIONAL EVENTS ARE REALLY GREAT FOR BOTH THE CHILD AND THE ELDER.

IT IS NO LONGER CALLED TO THE SCITUATE SENIOR CENTER.

>> I'VE BEEN COMING SINCE I WASN'T EVEN A SENIOR.

I THINK OF THE DAY TRIPS.

I BELONG TO THE CHAIN GANG, CROCHETING.

I'VE BEEN IN MANY THINGS THAT TAKE PLACE.

>> WE HAVE A CROCHET GROUP CALLED THE CHAIN GANG AND WE DO A LOT OF CROCHETING.

>> WHETHER YOU ARE PLAYING CARDS, PLAYING BINGO, GOING ON A MYSTERY DINNER TRIP, OR EVEN MAYBE TO A DINING HALL, YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IT.

>> LUNCHEONS AND STUFF LIKE THAT, I DID ALL OF THAT.

JUST THE SOCIALIZATION.

TO GET TOGETHER WITH FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS THAT YOU DON'T SEE ON A REGULAR BASIS.

>> SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR 24 YEARS.

TO GET OUT AND DO SOMETHING ELSE.

I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF SENIORS WHO ARE AFRAID TO TAKE THAT STEP.

IF WE COULD FIND SOME WAY TO ENCOURAGE THEM.

>> AS YOU GET OLDER, YOU NEED A PLACE THAT YOU CAN JOIN AND BE PART OF, AND PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITY.

A LOT OF COMMUNITIES FOR SENIORS ARE FORGOTTEN.

IF IT WASN'T FOR THE SENIORS, THE COMMUNITY WOULDN'T BE HERE.

TAKE CARE OF HIS SENIORS, BECAUSE ALL YOUR LIFE WE WERE TAKING CARE OF YOU.

>> THE SCITUATE ART FESTIVAL BEGAN IN 1957 BY GROUP OF LOCAL ARTISTS TO RAISE FUNDS TO RESTORE THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF NORTH SCITUATE.

STARTING WITH 12 LOCAL ARTISTS THAT FIRST YEAR, THIS WILL ESTABLISH AN ANTICIPATED EVENT DRAWS OVER 200 EXHIBITORS FROM ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA.

AS ESTIMATES OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF VISITORS OVER THE THREE-DATE: THIS WEEKEND -- THREE-DAY COLUMBUS WEEKEND.

>> THE FESTIVAL SUPPORT CONTINUED MAINTENANCE OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH BUILDING AND PROVIDES GRANTS TO OF VARIETY OF NONCOVERED ORGANIZATION -- NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN THE TIME.

THE SUCCESS OF THE ANNUAL SCITUATE ART FESTIVAL IS SOMETIMES NOTED AS THE BEST FESTIVAL IN RHODE ISLAND, A TESTIMONY TO THE PUBLIC'S RECOGNITION OF NORTH SCITUATE IS ONE OF RHODE ISLAND'S MOST CHARMING VILLAGES.

>> "OUR TOWN: SCITUATE" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE