Perry Homestead Historic District added to National Register of Historic Places

THIS IS one of six houses included in a family compound in Westerly that was recently named to the National Register of Historic Places. Pictured is the Harvey Perry House, which is part of the Perry Homestead Historic District that occupies approximately 8.5 acres in Westerly's southern end. / COURTESY R.I. HISTORICAL PRESERVATION & HERITAGE COMMISSION
THIS IS one of six houses included in a family compound in Westerly that was recently named to the National Register of Historic Places. Pictured is the Harvey Perry House, which is part of the Perry Homestead Historic District that occupies approximately 8.5 acres in Westerly's southern end. / COURTESY R.I. HISTORICAL PRESERVATION & HERITAGE COMMISSION

WESTERLY – The Perry Homestead Historic District has been added to the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service.
The listing was announced Wednesday by Edward F. Sanderson, executive director of the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission.
The Perry Homestead is a family compound developed and remodeled over the course of two centuries. It sits on about 8.5 acres at Margin and Beach streets in the southern end of downtown Westerly and on the eastern shore of the Pawcatuck River. The compound consists of six houses with open lawns, large trees, intimate garden rooms and park-like wooded areas.
“The architecture and designed landscape of the Perry Homestead are a remarkable monument of the history of one of its leading families,” Sanderson said in a statement.
Preservation consultant Richard C. Youngken and RIHPHC architectural historian Joanna Doherty prepared the National Register nomination for the Perry Homestead.
According to Rhode Island Historic Preservation & Historic Commission, the land was purchased by Thomas Perry (1765-1826) who came to Westerly to work as a cashier at the newly-established Washington Bank which is currently Washington Trust Bancorp Inc. Six generations of Perry family members would serve as administrative officers, CEOs, treasurers, presidents, trust officers and directors of the bank.
The Perry Homestead Historic District will receive benefits by being on the National Register. It will be honored for its contribution to local, state and national history, and gain special consideration during the planning of federal or federally-assisted projects, making the district eligible for federal and Rhode Island tax benefits for historic rehabilitation projects. The designation also permits the owners of the property to maintain, manage or dispose of the compound as they choose.

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