About
The Restoration Committee of the Smithfield Preservation Society has made great strides in restoring and protecting the Smithfield Exchange Bank at the Waterman Tavern. Located at the heart of Greenville, the long vacant building is the last surviving vestige of the tavern that was the focus of village life in the 18th century.
The Society received a State Preservation Grant from the RI Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission and a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to help complete the restoration. Despite earlier community skepticism about their ability to succeed, the Smithfield Preservation Society has gained many allies that have rallied to the building’s defense, including the North Central Chamber of Commerce, the Blackstone Tourism Council, Smithfield High School, and the Greenville Public Library.
The current plan is to have the building serve as the headquarters of the Smithfield Preservation Society with the hopes that it will evolve into a local Rhode Island tourism site, an archive of historical documents that would be stored for public use, and a community meeting place.
The Society received a State Preservation Grant from the RI Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission and a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to help complete the restoration. Despite earlier community skepticism about their ability to succeed, the Smithfield Preservation Society has gained many allies that have rallied to the building’s defense, including the North Central Chamber of Commerce, the Blackstone Tourism Council, Smithfield High School, and the Greenville Public Library.
The current plan is to have the building serve as the headquarters of the Smithfield Preservation Society with the hopes that it will evolve into a local Rhode Island tourism site, an archive of historical documents that would be stored for public use, and a community meeting place.