By Richard Salit
Journal Staff Writer

Charlotte Johnson, of Newport, will be recognized for her professional leadership at the state Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission’s conference tomorrow.

Photo courtesy of the Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission

For Charlotte Johnson, there’s never light at the end of the tunnel. For her, it’s atop a tower on Rose Island, and even after it was lit, there was still plenty more work to do.

Johnson has dedicated herself not only to relighting the lighthouse, but to restoring the island’s historic military barracks, conserving its wildlife and natural habitat and installing environmentally friendly utilities. For nearly a quarter century, she has led the effort to acquire the island and to make it a place for people to visit on day trips, and even to stay overnight to serve as the lighthouse keeper.

“Charlotte’s work at Rose Island has helped to turn an isolated and abandoned historic property into a well-interpreted and environmentally sustainable landmark,” according to the state Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission.

Johnson is one of three East Bay recipients who will be honored tomorrow when the commission hands out its annual preservation awards. The other two recipients are restoration projects: Touro Synagogue in Newport and Barrington Town Hall.

The awards will be presented during the commission’s 22nd-annual conference, to be held at various locations in Pawtucket from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The awards will be given out at 9 a.m. at Tolman High School.

Johnson will receive the Frederick C. Williamson Professional Leadership Award.

Rose Island Light was built in 1870 upon the bastion of 18th-century Fort Hamilton. For nearly a century, it guided mariners in Narragansett Bay. By 1971, the Coast Guard abandoned its use and in 1984 it was sold to the city as surplus property. The nonprofit Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation took over and, after extensive renovation, relit the lighthouse in 1993.

The restoration was conducted with an eye toward making the island self-sufficient and environmentally friendly. A wind turbine, septic field and rainwater collection system were installed, and management policies were established to protect nesting birds and native plants. Educational programs were created for visitors and money was raised by inviting guests to pay for a chance to stay overnight at the lighthouse and to perform the keeper’s chores.

The foundation is currently involved in restoring the Fort Hamilton barracks.

“For more than 20 years, Charlotte Eschenheimer Johnson has lit the light and kept it burning on Newport Harbor’s Rose Island. Her dedicated professionalism sets a high a standard for other preservationists,” the commission stated in announcing the award. “Charlotte’s work at Rose Island has helped to turn an isolated and abandoned historic property into a well-interpreted and environmentally sustainable landmark.”

Touro Synagogue will receive a “project award.”

Completed in 1763, Touro is now the oldest surviving synagogue in North America. But in recent years, it became evident it needed critical repairs. It lacked modern heating and cooling systems and 22 layers of paint covered the brick exterior.

Shawmut Design and Construction worked closely with the National Park Service architect David Bitterman in developing the plans for the restoration, which was partially financed with a Save America’s Treasures and State Preservation Grant.

“Both outside and in, Touro’s restoration exemplifies the best practices of preserving as much historic building material as possible and unobtrusively installing modern systems. On the outside, the layers of paint were removed by hand from the brick, and the windows were carefully removed, refurbished, and reinstalled. Inside, the approach to saving as much historic plaster as possible led to replacing only small damaged sections. … The new gutter network is concealed beneath the roof, and the fire-safety system is hidden within the ceiling.

“Touro Synagogue’s exemplary restoration retains exceptionally high levels of both visual and physical integrity, a condition commensurate with its landmark status.”

The town of Barrington will receive a “Stewardship Award” for its preservation of Town Hall, an iconic Queen Anne-style building that sits atop a hill in the center of town. Built from 1887-88, it is made of timbers and cobblestones donated by local farm owners and landowners.

“Barrington Town Hall literally embodies its community,” the commission states. “In recent years, the town of Barrington has chosen to preserve and restore its Town Hall rather than remodel.”

A dropped ceiling was removed to restore the aesthetics of the council chambers. Fire-safety and mechanical systems were replaced. On the exterior, a new slate roof was installed and other repairs were completed with historic materials, including windows.

“The Town of Barrington sets the standard for municipal stewardship by demonstrating the value of preserving the town’s historic resources, starting with the Barrington Town Hall,” the commission states.

rsalit@projo.com