#MiddletownRI is filled with important history and the town is doing what it can to make sure several locations stand the test of time.
HELPING SAVE HISTORY
MIDDLETOWN, RI (SEPTEMBER 9, 2025) – History is a big part of the Town of Middletown.
Whether it’s Boyd’s Windmill in Paradise Valley Park, the Two-Mile Corner marker where East Main and West Main roads meet, Town Hall itself, it’s everywhere you look across the community.
But as things age, Shared Facilities Director Ed Collins said they need maintenance and upgrades too.
With that in mind, Collins said the town recently had the historic eight-vaned windmill in Paradise Valley Park repainted. He said the town was also in the process of rehabilitating the Witherbee School at the corner of Green End Avenue and Valley Road, work including painting and carpentry repairs.
“When people think about Middletown, one of the big components of who we are is our history,” Collins said. “These buildings and structures and site are much, much more than that for us. They’re a part of who we are as a community.”
Look at the town’s website and there are dozens of public properties, parks and sites for residents, businesspeople and visitors to enjoy.
They include playgrounds like the recently redone one at Linden Park at 141 West Main Road, which has earned positive reviews from a number of children. There are also community parks like Valley Park on O’Neil Boulevard, Demery Memorial Park on Riverview Avenue and plenty of others.
The Middletown Historical Society operates the Boyd’s Windmill as well as the Witherbee and Paradise schoolhouses. The group works hard to share the town’s past, hosting a hallway of history on the first floor of Town Hall, speaking engagements and events like the running of the windmill.
Collins said he and his staff keep a close eye on each of the historic sites and as well as everyday properties, working hard to fix and maintain what the town has.
Continuing the effort to streamline and provide better services, Collins was hired in December 2024 to oversee all town and school buildings.
“Middletown has done an excellent job taking care of what we have and we’re working to move everything to the next level,” Collins said. “Whether it’s our brand new middle high school or our historic schoolhouses, we’re making our buildings and properties even more of a priority.”
Town Administrator Shawn J. Brown applauded the work of Collins and his team to date.
“Sharing services is something we continue to work on, streamlining our efficiencies and providing an even better bang for the buck,” Brown said. “We’re doing it with our facilities and our finances and are working on other opportunities where we can make positive strides.”
Document Link: https://mdl.town/NYCU-History
About Middletown
The Town of Middletown is a vibrant municipality located on Aquidneck Island, known for its scenic beauty, historic landmarks, diverse economy and strong sense of community. For more information about all we have to offer, visit MiddletownRI.gov online.
Media Contact
Matt Sheley
Public Affairs Officer
401-842-6543
msheley@middletownri.gov