LC350 Town Crier
The Brownell House - Village Improvement Society
LC350 has established a merchandise store in the north end of the Brownell House at Christian Corner, Little Compton Commons. The Little Compton Village Improvement Society graciously offered this room, and after some refurbishing the group was able to set up displays of items for sale, including tees and sweatshirts, mugs, baseball caps, children’s tee shirts, tote bags in many different styles, and dishtowels screened with several themes reminiscent of Little Compton. Many more items will be added in the coming months.
LC350 is grateful to partner with the Little Compton Village Improvement Society, a non-profit 501c3 organization.
WHAT IS THE VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY?
“For the purpose of promoting and encouraging social, literary, artistic and civic interests, activities and undertakings by and among its members, in the Town of Little Compton, and by and among all residents and inhabitants of said Little Compton, for the welfare and prosperity of the community.” So reads the preamble to the Little Compton Village Improvement Society’s Constitution and By-Laws.
Mrs. Charles Withington was inspired by a visit to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, which had the first Improvement Society in the country and became a model for the one in Little Compton. Mrs. Withington wrote, “The Society should not be considered a charity, but rather an effort to stimulate the people to get for themselves the good things of life and above all to furnish such opportunities for their children.”
Meetings were called and the response was encouraging. The committee then decided that they must first put their ideas across and then raise the money to carry them through. In 1913 they organized a Children’s Parade which was wildly successful (more to come from the Town Crier on this subject in a later column), and in 1914 they organized an historical pageant which was also successful.
When the Village Improvement Society was looking for a “home” there was a little old house sitting neglected at the bend in the road at Christian Corner. The group approached the absentee landlord to rent the building. Mr. Edward Brownell Weston had inherited the building upon the death of his aunt, Deborah Brownell Weston. Mr. Weston, instead of renting to them, offered to give them the building in memory of his aunt provided they restored and maintained the house, and established it as a social and educational center for the welfare of the people of Little Compton. If they should fail, the property would be conveyed to the oldest of the churches for its use. Mr. Weston presented a bronze plaque to the society reading: “In memoriam Eliza Brownell and Deborah Brownell Weston. This estate was presented to the Village Improvement Society of Little Compton, Rhode Island by Edmund Brownell Weston, September 1915.”
The Brownell House was built around 1740 or 1750. One of the unusual and attractive features of this house is a space-saving double curving staircase leading to the second floor. If the opportunity presents itself during the 350th anniversary, please tour this unique and attractive historical building.
The organization swiftly went to work raising funds in countless ways, and soon became a busy center. Little Compton Public Health Nursing had its start there. They held well-baby clinics, blood-pressure testing, gave flu shots, and hosted the Bloodmobile. The Red Cross held meetings there, as did the Girl Scouts and Brownies, Boy Scouts and Cadets. Ladies’ sewing groups met there, and sewing and lacemaking were taught. Before the addition to the Wilbur School, Home Economics classes were held there. The University of Rhode Island Extension Service sent experts to teach various homemaking skills, like canning and food preparation. During the war people met there to help the war effort by rolling bandages and knitting items for the soldiers. Books could be borrowed, and a former shed was reserved for men so that they could have a place to meet, smoke, talk or read. Before the school lunch program soup was served to school children at the Brownell House.
Even before the Village Improvement Society had a home, they received permission to use the Town Hall for a men and boys club for games and reading. Later boxing became popular and also basketball. In the 1930’s money was raised to build a tennis court next to the school. This is still in use as a basketball court. In 1932 the society negotiated the rental of a pasture lot behind the Congregational Church rectory for use as an athletic field.
In 1941 the Board of Directors voted to use $2000 left to them by Miss Bessie Gray to add the north wing, which is the area now being used as a gift shop by LC 350.
To bring the summer colony and the townspeople together they published a SUMMER LOCATOR and listed names of those in the community who could be called upon for various and sundry help. Later, the Summer Locator listed those renting for the summer, and their phone numbers. These booklets are a treasure trove of advertisements for earlier businesses in the community.
The biggest fund-raiser held by the Village Improvement Society is their Chicken Barbecue, held the first Saturday of August. This group depends on fundraisers and donations to support their work and for the upkeep of this historic building.
