GLOCESTER – Glocester’s “cemetery man,” was recognized by the Beacon Pole Hill Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution this week with an award recognizing his years of work in preservation.
Bill Brown, vice president of the Glocester Heritage Society received the Excellence in Historic Preservation Award on Monday, March 23 for his work restoring more that 130 cemeteries.
Organized in 1967, the Glocester Heritage Society aims to identify, acquire, hold, arrange, restore, maintain, and preserve for posterity buildings, tracts of land and objects of historical, educational, architectural, cultural and other similar interests of outstanding value in the town. The organization owns the Job Armstrong Store at 1181 Main St., a structure built in 1813 that was restored and now serves as GHS headquarters.
Brown started the Glocester Historical Cemeteries Committee in 2018 under the umbrella of the Heritage Society and has since served as chairman, leading a volunteer crew restoring neglected and forgotten historic cemeteries throughout Glocester.
His work earned him the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Department of Rhode Island Citizen of the Year award in 2024, and the committee’s efforts were also recognized by the Chepachet Grange, which also named it Group of the Year last year.
The Lincoln-based Beacon Pole Hill Chapter NSDAR, meanwhile, was founded in Manville in 1932 by Susan Westcott Handy, her mother and 15 fellow “daughters.” Named for a Revolutionary War beacon built on one of the highest points in Cumberland, the local chapter of the national group is involved in many charitable activities, providing meals for the homeless and aid to women in shelters, sending out care packages to active military and honoring local veterans, and offering scholarships to local students.
The group presented a Historic Preservation Recognition Award to the North Smithfield Heritage Association last year.
Brown’s award recognizes a person who has done extraordinary work over a long period of time in establishing a historic district, preserving a local landmark, restoring or preserving objects of historic cultural significance, or establishing or participating in oral history projects, youth leadership and education at the regional, state, and/or national level.
Due to illness, Brown was unable to attend the presentation this week, but joined via speakerphone while his co-chair Trish Horgan received the honor on his behalf.
Congratulations Billy! well done, well deserved!