2022 -- H 7151

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LC004021

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING AND CONGRATULATING PAM GASNER ON HER RETIREMENT AS THE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE BLOCK ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

     Introduced By: Representatives Filippi, and Blazejewski

     Date Introduced: January 25, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Ms. Pam Gasner is a distinguished graduate of Colby College where she

attained a Bachelor’s degree in East Asian Studies/Art History. She also studied Chinese

Language & Art History at Nanjing University in China, and has a professional working

proficiency designation in Chinese and a limited working proficiency designation in French; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Gasner began her career with the Block Island Historical Society in

1985, and through her dedication, tireless work ethic, and strong artistic skills, rose to the position

of Executive Director of the Block Island Historical Society in 2008; and

     WHEREAS, The Block Island Historical Society and its museum are blessed to have an

extensive collection of important artifacts related to Block Island’s rich history, from vintage

photographs that capture life as it was lived during the Victorian era, to exhibits that include fine

furniture, textiles, quilts, boat models, historic maps and numerous other interesting objects, all

expertly displayed and catalogued by Ms. Gasner; and

     WHEREAS, Over the years, Ms. Gasner has designed numerous beautiful and interesting

exhibits highlighting various facets of Block Island and Rhode Island history, all of which have

educated and delighted visitors. She has conducted countless research projects for both the

society and inquiring patrons, and she did a superb job of managing the collections and staff of

the Block Island Historical Society and its museum; and

     WHEREAS, Under Ms. Gasner’s leadership and guidance, the Block Island Historical

Society building has had its roof raised, its floors repurposed, additions built and added, handicap

accessible entries and baths installed, a commercial kitchen installed, new zoned air conditioning

and heating systems installed to better preserve artifacts, and somehow managed to remove 23 of

the 52 windows and re-install them while at the same time meeting very strict architectural

requirements; and

     WHEREAS, All of the above accomplishments were made possible because Ms. Gasner,

in her role as Executive Director, was responsible for almost all of the grant writing that secured

the funds for most of the modernization projects including securing a final grant from the

Annenberg Foundation on the day of her retirement; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Gasner is also a successful businesswomen and entrepreneur. She was

the Gallery owner and Curator of the Crescent Pond Gallery for almost nine years, and was the

Manager and Owner of the Coastal Design Corporation for almost twenty-two years. She was

also the recipient of the 2010 Bayberry Wreath Laureate from the Block Island Times, and has

served as a member of the New Shoreham Historic District Commission, Chair of the North Light

Commission, and as Vice-President of the North Light Commission; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

honors and congratulates Ms. Pam Gasner on her retirement as the Executive Director of the

Block Island Historical Society and wishes her good health and continued success in all her future

endeavors; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Ms. Pam Gasner.

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LC004021

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