250th Anniversary Renewal and Restoration Campaign: The Final Chapter

FAIN: CH-50183-05

Redwood Library and Athenaeum (Newport, RI 02840)
Cheryl V. Helms (Project Director: May 2004 to November 2006)

Restoration and renovation of an historic library.

Chartered in 1747, The Redwood Library & Athenaeum is our nation's oldest lending library and a National Historic Landmark. To address issues associated with age such as overcrowding, deterioration of the building, and need for environmental and life safety upgrades, the Board of Directors and Administrative Staff adopted a long-range plan of addition to protect and preserve the National Historic Landmark and humanities collections by 1) restoring and renovating the building; 2) installing HVAC and fire suppression systems, an elevator and ADA compliant bathrooms; and 3) constructing a small addition to provide more space for use of and shelving the collections. These improvements will protect the Redwood's extensive humanities research and general material from further deterioration caused by exposure to extreme ranges in temperature and humidity, excessive light, and overcrowding. Scholars, researchers and the interested person will be able to use the collections in a quiet, more spacious and secure room. Collections will be accessible to all with the addition of a three-stop elevator. Having served the national community for more than two and one-half centuries, the preservation and protection of this National Historic Landmark building and collections is essential for the survival of the Redwood Library. The Redwood Library requests a $500,000 three-to-one challenge grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities as the final phase in its fundraising to preserve, renovate, and expand this extraordinary and authentic national treasure.