RAS Awards Scholarship to East Providence Resident

It was with pleasure the Rehoboth Antiquarian Society recently awarded its 2025-2026 scholarship to two very worthy candidates: Kathryn Nelson and Estelle Rampelt.

Katie Nelson, an avid swimmer, lives with her family in Riverside, RI. She is a senior at SUNY Potsdam majoring in Archaeological Studies with interest in Anthropology and Forensic Studies. To further her studies, Katie took part in a dig at a monastery in Cerne Abbas, England and another at a homestead in Lake Placid, New York. Last summer Katie was involved in a research project that researched and located 147 graves of Revolutionary War veterans buried at the Newman Cemetery in East Providence. She spent the 2025 fall semester at University of Edinburgh in Scotland.

Estelle Rampelt served as the 2025 summer intern at the Carpenter Museum. She resides in Providence, Rhode Island. Estelle is enrolled in a Masters level program at Boston University studying Historic Preservation with a concentration in Museum Practice. In 2017 Estelle worked with a team of archaeological conservators outside of Rome, Italy preserving mosaic flooring in several ancient Roman villas. With a personal interest in local history, Estelle researched the Hoppin family of Providence, East Providence and Newport. She has also worked with the Preservation Society of Newport County as a photographer.

Both young women were unanimously approved by the RAS Board to receive this annual scholarship.

The RAS is accepting applications for the 2026-2027 second semester scholarship. Applicants must plan to major in a field related to museum or library studies. This may include museum or library sciences, history, archaeology, anthropology, conservation, restoration, preservation, etc. Eligible students live in Rehoboth, or its surrounding communities, or have a significant connection to Rehoboth. East Providence residents are eligible to apply. Applicants should be enrolled in, or accepted by, an academic institution or an institution offering programs aligned with our mission.

Eligible programs will lead to a degree or certificate. All applications will be considered on a case by case basis. Additional information and an application can be found on our website https://rehobothantiquarian.org/ras-scholarship/  The deadline for applications is
Friday, June 19, 2026.