PPS: 1956
Chairman
John Nicholas Brown
John Nicholas Brown was a prominent philanthropist and businessman in Rhode Island, with a particular love of historical preservation. A member of the Brown family, he inherited the family fortune as a young man and used it to fund preservation efforts both far afield and at home. He organized the Providence Preservation Society in an effort to rehabilitate the College Hill area, and became the first chairman of the board. His unique position as a businessman, dedicated preservationist, and Brown affiliate allowed him to unite the goals of the government, the Providence elite, and the university towards preserving the historic character of College Hill.
President
Mrs. William Slater Allen
Mrs. William Slater "Betty" Allen was the first president of the Providence Preservation Society, working closely with John Nicholas Brown and others on the College Hill revitalization. Betty worked tirelessly to help document the historical resources of College Hill, traveling across the country to compare techniques and strategies with other preservation groups.
PPS Pioneers
John Nicholas Brown
Chairman of the Board
Mrs. William Slater Allen
President
Thomas B. Appleget
Vice President
Mrs. Malcolm "Happy" G. Chace, Jr.
Vice President
Mrs. John A Gywnne
Vice President
William M. Sloan
Secretary
Henry F. Tingley, Jr.
Treasurer
John Hutchins Cady
Historian
Vice-President
Mrs. Malcolm G. Chace
Mrs. Beatrice O. "Happy" Chace was the first co-vice-president of the Providence Preservation Society, alongside Thomas B. Appleget. Happy used her personal weath and knowledge of real estate to transform College Hill. She began the restoration of College Hill in 1955, with a house on the corner of Thayer and Transit streets.
From that single house, Chace founded the Burnside Company, which bought and restored homes in the northern area of Benefit Street. From a single home, Burnside soon aquired an entire city block, restoring them to their former glory.
Historian