Historical note:

            The Rhode Island Development Conference was created in 1933 and disbanded in 1953. The object of the group according to its constitution was to "promote the advancement in Rhode Island of its agricultural, commercial, industrial, transportational, and recreational possibilities, and other matters of state-wide concern." The membership included Chambers of Commerce, civic groups, business associations and any other association or individual, public or private, interested in the mission of the conference. The Development Conference was interested in producing brochures to advertise the recreational opportunities and concerned with the problem of water pollution in Narragansett Bay. They were also involved in petitioning the state legislature for an appropriation to raise a State Building at the Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, MA. As of 1943, Rhode Island was the only New England state not represented at the annual Exposition.

            The Development Conference voted in 1943 to disband for the duration of World War II. The rationing of gas made traveling to conferences difficult and therefore a quorum at the meetings was infrequently achieved. After the war was over it was difficult for the members to start up again and in 1953, Huntington Hanchett, the secretary-treasurer, took the initiative and called a meeting of the officers to formally dissolve the organization.

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Scope and content:

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Provenance:

            The records of the Rhode Island Development Conference were donated to RIHS in 1953 by Huntington Hanchett, the last secretary-treasurer of the group.

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Processing note:

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Inventory:

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Subjects:

Allen, Howard V.

Automobile Club of Rhode Island

Burchiel, Sam W.

Eastern States Exposition (Springfield, MA)

Hanchett, Huntington

Schonfarber, Gordon

Town Criers of Rhode Island

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RIHS1822