We’ve made great strides this year with the debut of our website and the ongoing development of our Master Plan for the site.”

Burt Quist, director, Battle of Rhode Island Association

PORTSMOUTH — A dedicated crew of 20 people descended on Butts Hill Fort Saturday for the fourth volunteer cleanup held at the Revolutionary War-era fort.

Volunteers split into two crews, with one working on clearing deadfall wood and debris from the north-side ditch of the fort, the other crew working the east side clearing invasive vegetation. 

Chris Zeeman, a perennial volunteer from Fort Adams Trust, took care of the inside bowl, knocking down everything with his mower. Representatives of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Bristol Chapter, worked on the north and east and trimming back the eastern walking path.

Also on hand early that morning was Whip Seaman from the Rhode Island Society of Colonial Wars. He presented the Battle of Rhode Island Association with a check for $2,000, which was accepted by Burt Quist, its director.

“We’ve made great strides this year with the debut of our website and the ongoing development of our Master Plan for the site. We’re really excited to see what 2023 is going to bring,” said Quist.

The Battle of Rhode Island Association is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit committed to raising awareness of Rhode Island’s role in the War for Independence and to the support of the Butts Hill Fort Restoration Committee.

The latter’s mission is to restore and maintain the Revolutionary War fort to provide a safe and accessible educational and recreational site that raises public interest in this National Historic Landmark and its role in the Battle of Rhode Island.

Donations may be made payable to “BoRIA” at P.O. Box 626, Portsmouth, RI 02871.