Preservation Society of Newport County Names New Chairwoman, Trustees

NEWPORT, RI—The Preservation Society of Newport County elected a new chairman as it lauded its outgoing one along with adding four new trustees at its annual meeting Thursday night.

Donald O. Ross, a member of the Board of Trustees since 1989, has been chairman since 2010. He was given the Antiquarian Award, the society’s highest honor, “in recognition of his exceptional leadership of the organization for 27 years,” according to a Preservation Society news release.

His successor is Fanchon M. “Monty” Burnham, an independent accountant who has been a trustee since 2001. Before serving as the Preservation Society’s treasurer, she served on the Executive, Finance, Investment and Trustee Development Committees. Her community service involvement extends to Washington, D.C., in addition to Newport.

The new trustees added during the meeting are Peter W. Harris, Ann S. Mencoff, John M. Peixnho and John G. Picerne.

Stepping down from the board at the conclusion of their terms 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,” the release stated.

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.

Photo courtesy: Preservation Society of Newport County via Facebook.