What’s the first image that comes to mind when you think of good preservation? Most people probably picture a historic building they know and love, with intact architectural features and a beautifully restored and well-maintained exterior. Preservation we can see always has an immediate impact on our experience of a historic site and lingers in our memories. But at Historic New England, our commitment to our properties extends far beyond the surface.
Our Property Care team recently planned and implemented a crucial upgrade at Arnold House in Lincoln, Rhode Island, that we hope most visitors will never notice: the installation of a state-of-the-art fire detection and alarm system. Built in 1693, Arnold House is an outstanding example of the Rhode Island stone-ender and one of fourteen National Historic Landmarks in Historic New England’s collection. Given the site’s exceptional significance, our objectives in designing and executing this project were clear: safeguard the building and improve visitor safety, but avoid damaging historic fabric or compromising the experience of visiting the site.
To achieve these goals, the project team embraced a minimally invasive approach, prioritizing effective and discreet wireless solutions where possible while thoughtfully navigating a Rhode Island requirement that certain components must be hardwired. Historic New England staff worked closely with the installers to ensure that all hardwired devices were strategically placed and hidden from view in the house’s primary interpretive spaces. The outcome is impressive, with a near-complete absence of visible conduit in the house.
Meticulous care was also taken to protect the historic fabric of the house during installation. One small but important project detail included the use of short, shallow screws for wall-mounted devices, to ensure that if they are someday removed or replaced, any damage left behind will be surface-level and incredibly minimal.
Completing this project has improved site safety at Arnold House for all visitors and staff while significantly mitigating the risk of damage or destruction from an unforeseen emergency. The new system is now live and remotely monitored twenty-four hours a day!
Our work to keep our historic sites in top condition doesn’t always mean a big, visible project. The next time you visit Arnold House or another Historic New England museum, consider the often-unseen work that underpins good historic preservation. There are sensitive, invisible interventions in place to keep the site safe, welcoming, and publicly accessible for generations to come.
Written by Katherine Pomplun, Institutional Giving Officer
Fire safety upgrades at Arnold House were generously supported by a matching grant from Preserve Rhode Island and the 1772 Foundation.
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