Warren begins historic marker program with nod to oysters

By Pat Meus
Posted 7/6/16

On Thursday evening, June 23, Warrenites gathered at the historic Maxwell House to celebrate the beginning of Warren’s Historic Site Marker program. Sandy Scott, retired engineer and …

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Warren begins historic marker program with nod to oysters

Posted

On Thursday evening, June 23, Warrenites gathered at the historic Maxwell House to celebrate the beginning of Warren’s Historic Site Marker program. Sandy Scott, retired engineer and long-time Warren Preservation Society member, has been the shepherd of the project, designed to publicly highlight unique aspects of Warren. As he put it when he first presented the idea to the Warren Preservation Society (WPS),“Let’s take Warren’s history out of the file and put it on the street.”
The WPS board agreed and the work began on the first marker, which highlights the town’s historic oyster industry.
The research effort was led by Julie Blount, Executive VP at Blount Boats. Working with Doug Hinman, WPS historian, they tapped into the Blount company’s extensive archives, finding the facts and photos to tell the story of the industry that once made Warren the “Oyster Capital” of Rhode Island. Warren resident Karen Dionne, an award-winning graphic designer, was brought on board to design the marker while Mr. Scott surveyed possible sites. In Nov. 2015 the Warren Town Council approved the marker program and agreed to install future markers on town land. Funding for the first marker began with a donation from the Warren Preservation Society, which was matched by the Warren Heritage Foundation.  Blount Fine Foods stepped in and matched both those donations, while an anonymous donor covered the design costs. The sturdy, weatherproof marker was installed June 16 near where the last original oyster house was located, on Water Street between Miller and Baker.
At the dedication ceremony on June 23, people were excited to see the first marker and those involved in its creation talked about its importance to the town. 
“WPS was glad to get this project started,” said Eileen Collins, the society’s president. “Warren has such a rich history and when people come to know it, they appreciate what we have even more.”
Todd Blount said he too is excited:
“Our family business began with oysters so helping to make this marker happen is something we’re privileged to do,” he said. “This program brings great information to Warren’s residents and visitors and we look forward to supporting many more.”
Sandy Scott will continue to work with local historic/preservation groups to identify important sites, look for support from local businesses and oversee the creation of each marker. Work is underway on the second marker. Planned for installation later this fall, it will tell the story of the Historic Warren Armory.  Other sites being considered are Massasoit Spring, the Town Common and the corner of Main Street and Washington, to commemorate George Washington’s visit to Warren.  
Long history here
Oysters have a long history here. They have been harvested from Narragansett Bay and its tributaries since the arrival of human inhabitants. In the 18th and 19th centuries they were gathered and processed by hand at oyster houses along the water; automation arrived in the 20th century. Warren, with its deep water and sheltered harbor, quickly became the “Oyster Capital” of Rhode Island with 10 oyster houses on the Warren River and two on the Kickemuit. Pollution and severe winters damaged the beds and the massive Hurricane of ’38 destroyed most of what was left. Today, the last oyster house in Warren still stands, in modified form, as the Wharf Tavern.
Despite it all, the oysters did not disappear. Today, with the cleanup of the Bay and the work of many groups, the state’s aquaculture industry is strong, with oysters playing the leading role. A large upwelled tank will soon be installed at the Warren Town Wharf, where thousands of seed oysters will grow until they are ready to be spread at Jacob’s Point, Rumstick Point and other rocky spots along the upper bay.

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