Close To Home, A World Away
27
www.blockislandinfo.com
MY LOVE OF BLOCK ISLAND
HIsTory stems from my fam-
ily's heritage that dates back to
1661 when the first European
settlers arrived here at settlers
Rock. Twenty years with the
Historical society has given me a
unique insight into the wide and
important role history plays on
this Island.
experiencing history here
is like taking a journey back in
time. It's a journey that leads us,
not just as Block Islanders but
as people, to understand how we
arrived where we are today. The
historic structures here are more
than brick and mortar; they are
the keys to unlocking the history
of this great place that started
as a modest fishing and farming
outpost and grew into a vibrant
community.
like your grandmother's attic,
these structures provide hours of
education, curiosity, satisfaction
and just plain fun. climb the
steps of one of the two light-
houses and imagine a lifesaving
boat rowing to the rescue of a
sinking ship. Visit the Historical
Society and view Native Ameri-
can artifacts from before the
European settlement; admire the
clothing worn by women of the
colonial and Victorian eras; or
be amazed by the intricate quilt
work of the Island's home-
makers. Hike the nature trails
through farmland and imagine a
farmer rounding up his sheep.
We love history here so much
that we moved a 2,000-ton brick
lighthouse 250 feet to save it
from eroding bluffs. We've
preserved the historic look of
downtown, kept farmlands as
farms and historic homes his-
toric. We've sought grants, raised
private money and put in pure
sweat equity to maintain the
Island's historic charm and the
memories it holds.
some of the most important
memories are of the people
that lived here. In an age when
children turn to Hollywood for
heroes, those who visit Block
Island can learn of Fred Benson.
This beloved schoolteacher, fish-
erman and mechanic won the
lottery and threw a family picnic
for the town. He contributed the
rest of his winnings to a scholar-
ship fund.
or there's the story of nicho-
las Ball, who sailed around the
world at age 14, then to Califor-
nia during the Gold Rush and
returned a millionaire. He per-
suaded the federal government
to build the breakwater at Old
Harbor that turned the island
from an isolated community into
a place very much connected to
the mainland.
And it never ceases to amaze
me how deep that connection
runs. I have met visitors in the
museum and discovered we
have common ancestors. I have
assisted dozens, if not hundreds,
of people on a quest to complete
their family trees. I have held
postcards and letters sent half-
way around the world to Block
Island residents. and I have
uncovered stories that you need
to see to believe.
so if you've been here in the
past, you're sure to find a piece
of history you missed. If this is
your first visit, then come and
be a part of Block Island history.
Who knows; some day a century
from now a historian could be
studying that postcard you sent
home and wondering, what was
it like back then?
Pam littlefield Gasner
Executive Director
Block Island Historical Society