As part of a new series of initiatives to increase its visibility , the Coventry Historical Society opened the Strong-Porter House on South Street for the summer season on Sunday , June 1 . A large turnout was reported for the fundraising tag sale on the lawn outside of the Strong-Porter House . It netted $ 1 , 100 in proceeds , according to Historical Society President Roberlie Lachance .

“ We want to be more visible and active in the Coventry community by reaching out to youngermembers and by trying to make our events more exciting . We want new blood and new ideas , ” said Lachance , who assumed the presidency in March 2008 .

Historical society members Bob Visney and Ginney Dilk organized the tag sale , where the public was invited to pay an up-front rental fee for the table and then keep all proceeds from sales . Additionally , the society received many donations for the tag sale from town residents throughout that were stored during the winter in a facility donated by Coventry Storage , according to Lachance .

Proceeds from the day’s events will go towards the repair of the Strong-Porter Barn and the restoration of an 1896 Armstrong wagon , which is owned by the society , said Lachance .

The wagon was used in the 19 th century to transport freight for Coventry’s Kingsbury Box Company , one of the most successful manufacturers of paper boxes in New England , which was located on Mason Street and opened in 1868 . The wagon was built by the Armstrong Wagon Company , which was also located in Coventry and was built by Henry Armstrong and his son , William . Henry Armstrong had immigrated to the United States from England in 1869 and was located in Middletown and Hebron before settling in Coventry in 1883 .

The restoration will be performed by John Mikkda of the Olde Woodwright Shop in Hampton , Mass ., and is estimated to cost $ 4 , 280 . Mikkda restored an 1850 North Coventry Hearse for the society in 2006 . Earlier this year, work was suspended due to lack of funds , but Lachance said that she hopes that enough money can be raised to finish the restoration by the end of the year, if not sooner .

“ Coventry offers us a rich history , and we would like to make sure that it is preserved , and the Historical Society would like to be an active part of the community , ” Lachance said .

Later this month , the society will host the third annual Farm Day at the Strong-Porter House , and later in the summer it will hold a barbecue and overnight camping in an attempt to increase its visibility .

Lachance said that she sees a mandate to be responsive to the needs she feels from the Coventry community .

“ Coventry residents have voted out the powers that be in large part because of the building and rapid growth going on in town , ” she said . “ The Historical Society would like to accommodate Coventry residents by showing our concern by getting involved with the issues that they care about . ”

Lachance said that one of those areas is to expand its educational efforts and to work for greater preservation of historical sites in North Coventry , which she said is often forgotten . Many of these initiatives would fall under the proposed position of historical preservation coordinator , who would work with the town and its residents to make suggestions to the Historic Commission and report back to the Historical Society . This position will be proposed for creation at the Historical Society meeting later in the summer , Lachance said .

The Strong-Porter House , which contains artifacts and exhibits from the Historic Society’s collection , will be open every Sunday from 12-3 p . m . until Oct . 12 .