After 18 years, Valerie Talmage will retire as Executive Director next month. The staff and board want to thank her for her dedication and vision. She has been an inspiring leader, wise mentor, and genuine friend to us all. We wish her the best in her retirement.
In 2007, I started my new job as the Executive Director of Preserve Rhode Island. I took the job for two reasons:
First, before coming to Preserve RI I’d worked for organizations engaged in both historic preservation and land conservation. The possibility of leading a statewide nonprofit dedicated to protecting the full range of the cultural landscape – from cities to rural areas, including buildings and land seemed right. Preserve RI’s tag line included the call to protect Rhode Island’s “unique places”, and that made all the difference to me in my decision to join Preserve RI.
Second, I embraced Preserve RI’s role as an owner and steward of historic places. All preservation is about stewardship– we are not so much the owners of properties as the custodians for this generation. The possibility of leading a statewide nonprofit that dedicated itself to promoting an ethic of stewardship seemed like a place where I could make a difference. And caring for such significant landmarks like Lippitt House Museum, was both an honor and humbling responsibility.
I told the Search Committee who hired me that within a year I wanted to say, “this was the best decision I’ve ever made.” Well, almost 18 years later, I’m still saying this is the best job in preservation.
What I didn’t know then, but I know now, is that it is the people committed to preservation in Rhode Island that make the difference. In Rhode Island, there are so many good people doing good work in service to our communities. Over my tenure at Preserve RI, I’ve worked with trustees, colleagues, partners, donors, members, funders, advocates, developers, planners, elected officials, city and town representatives, and visionaries, and along the way made lasting friendships. Working alongside so many great people dedicated to making Rhode Island communities better ignited my enthusiasm to carry out the challenging work of leading a small nonprofit organization. Thanks to all of you for helping make my work at Preserve Rhode Island so meaningful, productive, and fun!
When I started in the field of preservation, a mentor told me: “I’m a preservationist not because I’m interested in the past but because I care about the future,” and that quote has stuck with me throughout the years. Preservation isn’t so much about historic buildings; preservation is about building community– protecting what is unique about our communities, preserving the character of Rhode Island’s unique places, and making people’s lives better through the power of place. Our investment in preservation benefits communities both today and in the future.
As I write this, I’m knee deep in accomplishing my last tasks before I turn the organization over to new leadership, so my vision for my retirement is still a bit hazy. One thing I am looking forward to is seeing how Preserve RI continues to grow and expand. In my 18 years as Executive Director, I would often steel myself with the wisdom of Carol Bellamy: “You need to get up in the morning and say, ‘Boy, I’m going to -- in my own stupid way -- save the world today.” My hope is that the organization, and our entire community of preservationists, continue to strive to change the world starting with our beloved neighborhoods, our communities, and our state.
All my best,
We’ll be announcing news about our new, incoming Executive Director shortly.
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