The Historic Trust

The Historic Trust: Celebrating History. Inspiring Tomorrow. 

The Historic Trust plays a vital role in the region by fostering preservation, restoration and stewardship of our most iconic historical treasures – Officers Row and the Providence Academy – in addition to cultivating community vibrancy with annual celebrations and special events.

The Historic Trust’s mission is to inspire civic pride and economic vitality through education, preservation, and celebration of our community’s history.

We are continually seeking ways to welcome residents and visitors alike to explore the meaningful past of these places and their role in our shared present. By offering a variety of educational and just-for-fun events and programs, we encourage all to engage with this unique heritage.

One current focus for the Trust is creating an outwardly welcoming atmosphere for visitors to the Providence Academy. Since acquiring the property in 2015, our staff, donors, volunteers, and community partners have poured an immense amount of love and care into rehabilitating and stewarding this regional treasure. Our work continues as we ask for your support to complete a project that was started by Mother Joseph herself: the gardenscape at the core of the brand new Sacred Heart Plaza.

In fall, 2024, The Historic Trust started work to prepare the site for springtime (2025) construction on the Sacred Heart Plaza at Ed Lynch Square, creating new community gathering spaces that are infused with heritage and preserve and interpret the historic Sacred Heart Garden designed by Mother Joseph in 1875.

Walkways, trees, and plants will seamlessly integrate with a public plaza and more intimate seating areas which will include interpretive elements. The Sacred Heart Garden will be enhanced and preserved. 

Over the last century and a half, the garden has had different appearances. Historic photos show three concentric hearts surrounding a central arbor and fountain, and other variations. Research has revealed that original plantings included flowers, and also fruit-bearing trees which helped feed the orphans, students, and Sisters who lived there. 

Archaeological work generously funded by 2023 GiveBIG donors and the Price Foundation provided more information on soil types and a clearer definition of tree root networks. The ground-penetrating radar used showed that the original outlines for the inner concentric pathways were apparently removed (probably around 1910, when the garden design was simplified). 2024 GiveBig donors helped launch the clearing and construction phase of this project.

The new gardenscape will thus reflect the best preservation approach known at present, by keeping the current simplified version of the Sacred Heart. At the same time, the site will be protected for future archaeological research and historical interpretation, and paths will be carefully rehabilitated to increase accessibility and enhance the entry to this beloved place.

As with all types of construction projects, costs can often grow as the timeline moves forward. There is still a need for additional funding as we progress toward the final construction phase. Your donations will help us achieve the vision of a renewed public gathering space and a peaceful, restorative environment that preserves and honors Mother Joseph's Sacred Heart Garden and showcases her masterpiece Academy building. Please help us take these final steps to complete this important project that will serve the community for generations to come!

 Concept design courtesy of SERA Architects