Providence approves sesquicentennial history book

By Trevor Brasfield

April 25, 2007 | PROVIDENCE -- It's official: Providence will get a new history book just in time for the sesquicentennial celebration.

The vote Tuesday from the City Council was unanimous, so now the city will get an updated version of its last history book from the 1970s, titled Providence and Her People.

The new book will be authored by local historian Robert Parsons, who has written a book like this one for Rich County. The new book, which is still untitled, will cost the town $10,000 in donations, and an unspecified amount for publishing costs.

Jay Hicken, Historic Preservation Commission member and unofficial leader of the movement for the book, was happy the measure gained approval.

"I want you to sign that agreement there because I think it's a great agreement," he said while sitting in the audience awaiting the vote.

One worry of the council, voiced by member Kathy Baker, was the unknown publishing cost. Mayor Randy Simmons stressed the $10,000 to be paid to Parsons will come from donations to the town.

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