A Little Compton man who wishes to remain anonymous has generously offered a $10,000 challenge grant to help complete our Saving Peggotty Project. The donor will match one to one any gift given to support the Historical Society’s stabilization and restoration of Peggotty that arrives between June 1 and Columbus Day up to a total of $10,000.

Gifts of any amount are greatly appreciated. Gifts of $1,000 or more will be recognized on a plaque in Peggotty’s new display building. As of press time LCHS had raised $3,700 toward the challenge. Donations may be made via mail (P.O. Box 577), phone (401-635-4035) or on-line at littlecompton.org.

Look for the DONATE NOW button on our homepage.

The $20,000 we hope to raise as a result of this challenge will be used to pay for the Category 5 Hurricane Screens that now protect Peggotty during foul weather and the final steps in Master Shipwright Hermann Hinrichsen’s efforts to repair and strengthen Peggotty’s hull.

Peggotty is Sydney Burleigh’s 109-year-old artist studio. The studio is built on the oldest known catboat in existence and is topped by a thatched roof.  In 2014 the Historical Society began a $90,000 campaign to replace Peggotty’s failing boat cradle, build a new display building, and strengthen and restore the studio to ensure that Peggotty will be enjoyed by many generations to come.