The Babcock-Smith House Museum won a prestigious national award for its Westerly Granite Project which involved the contributions of more than 100 community members and thirteen different organizations. The AASLH cited the “vigor, scholarship, and imagination” of the project which encompassed a year-long newspaper series, the book Built from Stone: The Westerly Granite Story, both in-house and traveling programs, and a curriculum for Westerly schools. In addition, a long-term loan from the Westerly Public Library and contributions of artifacts, photographs, and biographical information from community members have helped centralize and preserve Westerly’s granite heritage.

The Albert B. Corey Award is the highest award given to an all volunteer organization and is believed to be the first to be awarded to a Rhode Island group in the history of the American Association of State and Local History. The award with monetary prize was presented at the AASHL annual meeting in Salt Lake City in October.

Calling all local Holiday Ornament Collectors! The Babcock-Smith House Museum invites you to participate in our "Celebration of Trees," a new fundraiser for the Museum.

Artificial Christmas trees of various sizes, each decorated with a different theme, will be displayed in the historic rooms of our 1734 mansion and will be open to the pubic. Individuals, non-profits, and businesses are invited to decorate a tree with a theme that is meaningful in some way to the decorator. Themes may be as varied as a tree constructed from used books to a tree decorated with White House ornaments to a tree with kitchen implements. Be creative! Each tree will have a story to tell, and we will be happy to give your business or non-profit visibility throughout the exhibit.

The event will run from Saturday, December 8 through Sunday, December 15, 2013.

If you would like to participate in some way, whether it is lending ornaments and/or an artificial tree, decorating, etc., please contact us at WoodyHillbandb@verizon.net.

Now Available!

"Built from Stone: The Westerly Granite Story"

Although both the majestic and the humble products made from Westerly granite will be around for generations to come, the number of people who have an intimate knowledge of the granite industry are quickly diminishing and, with them, records and artifacts. This full color, hard-bound edition of is an attempt to share bits and pieces of the Westerly granite story so that the present generation can take pride in Westerly’s granite heritage.

Books are $44.95 plus $7.00 shipping and handling or may be purchased at the museum or The Other Tiger Bookstore at 90 High Street in Westerly. 

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To Submit Granite Information, Anecdotes, or Artifacts:

Email:   Ellen Madison,     woodyhillbandb@verizon.net
Snail mail:   John Coduri c/o Babcock-Smith House Museum, 124 Granite Street, Westerly, RI. 02891
Phone:   Linda Chaffee,    401-377-8490
Phone:   Betty-Jo Cugini  401-315-2446

Become a Member

There are seven levels of membership with benefits at all levels.

All levels include:  free admission to the Museum, newsletters, and a ten percent discount at Joshua's Store.

$25      Individual
$50      Family
$100    Historian

$250    Custodian
$500    Curator
$1,000 Conservator

$2,500 Preservationist (Use of Carriage House for one day plus Candlelight Dinner for 12)

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© 2009 Babcock-Smith House Museum