If you’ve been wandering around the village recently, you may have heard the tink, tink, tink sound of brick wall repairs being made by HHI staffers Fred O’Connor and Kat O’Brien. Harrisville's first brick building was constructed in 1819. Restoring this material after damage caused by weathering and decay takes expert knowledge and skill.

Let’s talk about historic preservation – the heart of Historic Harrisville’s mission-driven work. Generally speaking, the term "historic preservation" includes four possible “treatments” for historic properties. Rehabilitation and preservation are actively used in Harrisville, while restoration and reconstruction are less common.

At HHI, our commitment to preserving Harrisville extends to safeguarding, educating, and interpreting Harrisville’s rich history through the Historic Harrisville Archives, a treasure trove of documents, photographs, recordings, and artifacts.