The Preservation Society of Newport County elected a new Chairman and four new trustees at its Annual Meeting last night, and also bestowed special awards on several members of the community, including its outgoing Chairman.
Donald O. Ross, a member of the Board of Trustees since 1989 and Chairman since 2010, received the Preservation Society’s highest honor, the Antiquarian Award, in recognition of his exceptional leadership of the organization for 27 years.
Elected to succeed Ross as Chairman of the Board of Trustees was Fanchon M. (Monty) Burnham, an independent accountant who has been a trustee of the Preservation Society since 2001. She previously served as Treasurer of the Preservation Society, and has also served on the Executive, Finance, Investment and Trustee Development Committees. Mrs. Burnham has been active in community service in Washington, DC as well as Newport.
Four newcomers were elected as trustees during the meeting. They are Peter W. Harris, Ann S. Mencoff, John M. Peixinho, and John G. Picerne. Stepping down from the Board at the conclusion of their terms, in addition to Ross, were Angela Brown Fischer, David B. Ford, Sarah M. Gewirz, Elizabeth W. Leatherman, Eugene B. Roberts, Jr. and Mark E. Watson III. The Preservation Society is grateful to all for their service.
Another highlight of the meeting was the announcement of the Preservation Society’s annual Laurel Awards for artisanship, volunteerism and horticulture:
- Artisanship: Mark Malkovich IV, in recognition of his family’s 41 years of leadership of the Newport Music Festival.
- Volunteerism: The Lindh family – Kenneth M.P. Lindh, Lynda Lindh, Beverly Little, and posthumously David E.P. Lindh – in recognition of their tireless efforts in coordinating, designing and supporting the triennial Coaching Weekend, one of the most anticipated events in the Newport summer calendar.
- Horticulture: Newport in Bloom, in recognition of its achievement in beautifying Newport streetscapes for over 30 years.
The Preservation Society of Newport County, Rhode Island, is a non-profit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and dedicated to preserving and interpreting the area’s historic architecture, landscapes, decorative arts and social history. Its 11 historic properties–seven of them National Historic Landmarks–span more than 250 years of American architectural and social development.
