Balancing the preservation of cultural heritage with modern climate action at Historic New England is a complex but essential task. This challenge is being addressed head-on at Casey Farm, a historic site in Saunderstown, Rhode Island. In its 1750 farmhouse and 18th- and 19th-century farm buildings, the farm hosts a variety of educational programs and attracts thousands of visitors annually. It is an ideal location for testing climate-action strategies. Katy Pomplun, Institutional Giving Officer for Preservation, explains, “With such a large number of visitors and diverse programming, we saw an opportunity to engage a wide range of stakeholders, and the feedback here will help shape future efforts across our collection.”
The site’s combination of historic significance and modern-day programming presented a unique challenge, but it also offered an ideal testing ground for climate- action strategies that can be applied to Historic New England’s entire portfolio of historic sites. The farm’s 300 acres provide ample space for large-scale sustainability projects from renewable energy generation to stormwater management, all while preserving the historic character of the site.
The approach Historic New England is taking is called “site-specific climate action planning.” Joie Grandbois, Sustainability Coordinator at Historic New England, elaborates, “We begin each site’s planning with three key analyses: an energy use assessment, a climate risk assessment, and a programming evaluation. These assessments inform tailored goals for each site, helping us identify unique challenges and opportunities for climate action.”
At Casey Farm, one key infrastructure project is stormwater management. Joie explains, “Traditional preservation would have required preserving old, undersized gutters. But the realities of climate change—more frequent extreme weather and rising sea levels—demand flexibility. We’ve replaced old wooden gutters with larger, copper ones to manage increased rainfall.”
Historic New England’s maintenance planning also aligns with climate action. Regular upkeep is crucial for resilience, and Joie points out how the organization has transitioned to using traditional linseed oil paint—plant-based and free from harmful VOCs and microplastics. “It’s better for the environment and the historic structures, and it lasts longer than modern paints,” she notes. “The paint allows the surface to breathe, preventing moisture from getting trapped and causing damage.”
As Historic New England continues to advance climate action, they measure their progress with annual energy use assessments. These updates are shared with the public through blogs, social media, and newsletters, helping to engage the community and keep them informed about the organization’s goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Katy emphasizes, “Transparency is key to holding ourselves accountable. We want our community to see the work we’re doing and how we’re progressing toward our climate goals.”
Looking ahead, Historic New England is already working on climate action plans for other historic properties, including Pierce House in Massachusetts and Sayward-Wheeler House in Maine. Katy concludes, “We are committed to learning and sharing what works. Each property requires its own approach, but sustainable, climate-resilient practices can and should be integrated into historic preservation.”
To stay informed about Historic New England’s climate action initiatives, you can follow their progress through their website and social media updates.