Our efforts are to revitalize the cultural heritage of the community of Stillwater, along with the Smith Appleby House Museum, to present historical data interactively through a series of workshops. Once more, the mill will be operational as a small textile operation; self sufficient in nature, providing information about its works through archeology and restoration. What's further, we are immediately concerned over about our natural footprint; our desire is to exercise our role as a primary stakeholder in a local watershed improvement effort. Using the watershed planning process examined in Maryland, we have set forth goals to restore and conserve the headwaters of the Woonasquatucket River in Smithfield Rhode Island. Currently in the early phases of the project, we are now seeking local stakeholders. Using the mill property as a focal point between our community and its history, we aim to lead environmental progress for the upper Woonasquatucket watershed. By studying nutrient loads, enacting town ordinances, working with the Army Corps of Engineers, RIDEM, EPA, and Fish and Wildlife, our efforts are to enhance the soil and water quality for the benefit of both wildlife habitat, and future generations.
Our program is aligned with local school programs to introduce students to our archeological study, show students our dam engineering plans, and ask them to participate in our local watershed plan. It's important to emphasize the interrelatedness of these topics as they relate to the mill site. The cultural elements of history should be intwined with a respect for the land, and each topic in turn should drive the other. Education is the key to all of this- without a mill functioning, we rely on educational materials to provide an aspect of what the mill would really have been like.
