Historic District Commission


Meetings

View the 2026 Meeting Schedule (PDF)

Members

  • Joyce Hindle-Koutsogiane, Chair
    Term Expires: December 31, 2027
  • Arthur Schacht, Vice Chair
    Term Expires:  December 31, 2027
  • Quinn Sullivan
    Term Expires: December 31, 2027
  • Daniel Pedro
    Term Expires: December 31, 2027
  • Tammy McMichael
    Term Expires: December 31, 2027
  • C. Mark Cataudella
    Term Expires: December 31, 2028

See Charter citations regarding membership at bottom of webpage.

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes


January 2026

S M T W T F S

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Plaque Program 

Cumberland's historic districts contribute greatly to our quality of life. Mill villages such as Ashton, Lonsdale, and Valley Falls, the remnants of the American Industrial Revolution, are iconic in defining Cumberland's character.

To help celebrate Cumberland's history, the Historic District Commission is offering the owners of qualified historic homes in local historic districts an opportunity to purchase an historic plaque. 

An historic plaque on your house or other building shows you care about being part of Cumberland's architectural heritage. Plaques also increase the attractiveness of an historic site.

Plaques include a building's date of conHDC PLAQUE MASON MOCK UP 33018 (002)struction, name of the original owner (if available), and name of the local historic district.

Click here for the plaque application.

The department will notify owners when their new plaques have arrived at Town Hall. If you have any questions, please contact Glenn Modica gmodica@cumberlandri.gov or Abby McVerry amcverry@cumberlandri.gov

Historic Cemeteries

The HDC is currently undertaking an assessment of the 40 historic cemeteries located in town. Volunteers are being assembled for clean-up and maintenance of cemeteries that are determined to be in need of it. Updates on the effort will be discussed at Commission meetings.

Take a walk through a historic cemetery in Cumberland and you will find surnames that match street signs and Revolutionary War veterans, a reminder of the Town’s rich history and those that came before.

Historical Cemetery Preservation Workshop

On Saturday, April 29th, 2023, members of the HDC participated in a Historical Cemetery Preservation workshop presented by the North Smithfield Heritage Association and volunteers Kim Walker and Lynne Pelletier. They learned how and participated in cleaning stones using water, D/2 Biological Solution, and soft brushes, raising and setting fallen or depressed gravestones, looking up graves online, and probing for what may be underground and not visible.

Contact Us

If you would like to help or have questions/concerns, email

Town Planner Glenn Modica or call 401-728-2400, ext. 146

Principal Planner Abby McVerry or call 401-728-2400, ext. 142

  1. 1 Historic Cemetery
  2. 2 Historic District Commission Member Uncovering a Gravestone
  3. 3 Historic District Commission Members Unearthing a Gravestone with the Help of a Pulley
  4. 4 Historic District Commission Members

Documents

  1. Local Historic Districts (PDF)

For Owners of Historic Properties

  1. Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness (PDF)
  2. Cumberland Historic District Property Owner Guide (PDF)

Other Materials

  1. Architectural Survey - 1998 (PDF)
  2. Cumberland Founders and Patriots (PDF)
  3. Cumberland Historical Cemeteries (PDF)
  4. Heritage Park Historical and Archaeological Assessment 1991 (PDF)
  5. Town Hall - 1950 Retrospective (PDF)

Information about membership: 

[Ord. of 11-2-1988, § IV(B)]

(a) Composition. The historic district commission shall consist of seven members who shall reside in the Town.

(b) Qualifications. In making appointments to the commission, the president of the Town Council shall appoint at least two members who have a demonstrated knowledge of American or local or architectural history, architecture, real estate, historic preservation, planning, historic building contracting, archaeology or other area of relevant knowledge.

(c) Appointment, terms, vacancies and compensation. The appointment, terms, filling of vacancies and compensation of the commission shall be as follows:

(1) All members shall be appointed by the president of the Town Council with the consent of the Town Council.

(2) Members shall be appointed for three-year staggered terms.

(3) If a vacancy occurs before the expiration of a member's term, the president of the Town Council, with the consent of the Town Council, shall make an interim appointment to complete the unexpired term of the member, which appointment shall be made within 31 days of receiving written notice of such vacancy. Such appointment shall be made in accordance with Subsections (a) and (b) of this section.

(4) In making appointments to the commission, the president of the Town Council may consult with any duly organized historic or preservation society within the Town. Any such society may be given the opportunity to submit a list of qualified citizens for consideration by the president of the Town Council.

(5) Members shall serve without compensation.