A Rhode Island specialty license plate has earned national recognition for the first time, bringing honor to the Ocean State and supporting a beloved Newport landmark.
The Rose Island Lighthouse license plate has been awarded the 2024 Best Plate Award by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association (ALPCA), marking a historic first for Rhode Island. The charity plate benefits the Rose Island Lighthouse & Fort Hamilton Trust, which maintains the historic lighthouse and 18-acre island.
The award-winning plate features a striking design showcasing the Rose Island Lighthouse alongside the Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge, celebrating Rhode Island’s rich maritime heritage. Ross Cann of A4 Architecture + Planning created the design with support from longtime lighthouse advocate Jan Slee, while Kara Acosta contributed artwork depicting the iconic Shields-class sailboats that grace Narragansett Bay waters.
The journey to create the specialty plate began several years ago with Newport resident Jan Slee, a dedicated lighthouse supporter who championed the initiative. Legislative approval came in 2022 through the efforts of State Senator Dawn Euer and State Representative Lauren Carson of District 75. Pre-sales launched in 2023 under the leadership of Board President Ryan Patrick Kelley and Executive Director Sean O’Connor, requiring 600 orders before the plates could be produced.
“We’re honored that our plate has been recognized nationally,” said O’Connor. “It’s a great way for Rhode Islanders to show their pride while supporting the future of this treasured place.”
Kelley noted that he and O’Connor inherited the project when they joined the organization and described it as “a labor of love to get it across the finish line.” The only modification they made to the award-winning design was changing the sail numbers on the iconic Shields sailboats to 18 and 70, a subtle nod to 1870, the year Rose Island’s lighthouse was originally built.
Proceeds from plate sales directly support the preservation, education, and conservation work of the Rose Island Lighthouse & Fort Hamilton Trust. The organization is approaching significant milestones, with next year marking the 40th anniversary of the Trust’s status as a 501(c)(3) independent nonprofit and the 32nd anniversary of re-lighting the lighthouse beacon on National Lighthouse Day, August 7 — a symbolic achievement in the island’s restoration and renewal.
A public ceremony honoring the award is scheduled for Monday, July 21, at 10 a.m. at the Department of Administration building at 1 Capitol Hill in Providence, Room 2A.
Rhode Islanders interested in ordering their own award-winning plate can visit
roseisland.org/plates
or search for “charity plates” on the Rhode Island DMV website.
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