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THE GREATER PROVIDENCE &
NEWPORT AREA INFORMATION
The past comes alive in the Greater Providence
area’s many historical landmarks. If you don’t find the
information you’re looking at here send us an email at ProvNewportInfo@captainfarris.com
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
Incredible as it
may seem, the smallest state has more than 20% of the entire nation's
registered historic landmarks.
- In 1636 Roger
Williams founded the first permanent English settlement in Rhode
Island at Providence on land purchased from the Narragansett Indians
- 1642 Warwick was
founded by Samuel Gorton and eleven of his followers when the men
purchased 107 square miles of land from Miantonami, chief sachem of
the Narragansett Indian tribe
- 1639 America's
first Baptist Church was formed in Providence
- 1652 Rhode Island
enacted the first law against slavery in North America
- 1763 Founded in
Newport, Touro Synagogue is the oldest Jewish house of worship in
America
- 1775 The U.S. Navy
was born in Newport
- 1775 The first
Baptist Church in America was built in Providence
- 1776 Rhode Island
was the first colony to renounce allegiance to Great Britain and
declare independence
- Circa 1800 The
state capitol houses Rhode Island native Gilbert Stuart's historic
painting of George Washington, famous for its appearance on the $1
bill 1828 The Arcade, America's first indoor shopping center, opened
in downtown Providence
- 1872 The concept
for the American diner originated in Providence
- 1887 The first
torpedo boat in the nation, Stiletto, was built by the Herreshoff
Boat Yard in Bristol
- 1952 Future
President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier were married in St.
Mary's Church in Newport
- A focal point for
cultural diversity and art appreciation, Providence and vicinity
provides the perfect venue for curator and spectator alike.
Belcourt Castle
657 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI 02840 401-846-0669
Open year-round for guided tours and special events. Knights in armor
in the gothic ballroom and art treasures from 33 countries grace this
magnificent 19th-century summer chateau of Alva (Vanderbilt) and
Oliver Belmont.
Blackstone River
Valley National Heritage Corridor
One Depot Square, Woonsocket, RI 02895 401-762-0440
The American Industrial Revolution began in the Blackstone River
Valley. Congress established the National Heritage Corridor to assist
in protecting and celebrating this living landscape that spans from
Providence, Rhode Island to Worcester, Massachusetts.
Blithewold Mansion,
Gardens & Arboretum
101 Ferry Road, Bristol, RI 02809 401-253-2707
This was the summer home of Pennsylvania coal baron and Brown
University graduate, Augustus Van Wickle and his family. The estate
features a 45-room, early 20th-century mansion overlooking
Narragansett Bay and 33 acres of historic landscape.
Culinary Archives
& Museum at Johnson & Wales University
315 Harborside Boulevard, Providence RI 02905 401-598-2805
The Culinary Archives & Museum is devoted to the preservation of
culinary arts and hospitality history spanning five millenniums. It is
often referred to as "The Smithsonian Institution of the Food
Service Industry."
David Winton Bell
Gallery, List Art Center
264 College Street, Providence, RI 02912 401-863-2932
The Bell Gallery is located in the List Art Center, designed by Philip
Johnson. Founded in 1971, the Gallery presents major art exhibitions
examining both contemporary and historical subjects.
Fine Arts Center
Galleries, University of Rhode Island
105 Upper College Road, Suite 1, Kingston, RI 02881-0820 401-874-2775
Our state's own galleries are comprised of the Main, Photography and
Corridor exhibition spaces. The Galleries offer a constantly changing
program of contemporary art in all media by nationally and
internationally recognized and emerging artists.
Governor Henry
Lippitt House Museum
199 Hope Street, Providence, RI 02906 401-453-0688
The high-style, historical, Victorian house museum's interior
craftsmanship includes richly carved woodwork, colorful stenciling and
faux finishes.
Haffenreffer Museum
of Anthropology, Brown University
300 Tower Street, Bristol, RI 02809 401-253-8388
Located on the traditional lands of the Wampanoag peoples, the Museum
features four intimate galleries of fascinating artifacts from the
native peoples of the Americas, Africa, Asia and the Pacific. Its
bayside setting is an ideal place for contemplation.
Jamestown Museum
92 Narragansett Avenue, Jamestown, RI 02835 401-423-0784
A small museum featuring an exhibit of ferry boat history and
memorabilia and an annual special exhibit regarding Jamestown's
history.
John Brown House
Museum
52 Power Street, Providence, RI 02906 401-331-8575
This palatial three-story mansion was built in 1786 for John Brown,
Providence's most prominent merchant. The furniture and decorative
arts, in period room settings, feature many original Brown family
pieces including a nine shell desk and bookcase considered to be one
of the finest pieces of American Colonial furniture in existence.
Library of Rhode
Island History
121 Hope Street, Providence, RI 02906 401-331-8575
The Library features genealogical, graphics, and manuscript
collections pertaining to Rhode Island history. The Library houses the
third largest genealogical collection in New England; the manuscript
collection dates to 1652; and the graphics collection includes more
than a quarter-of-a-million images.
Museum of Natural
History & Planetarium
Roger Williams Park, Providence, RI 02905 401-785-9457
Rhode Island's only natural history museum and home to its only public
planetarium, it is a scientific and cultural resource offering
exhibitions, workshops and multi-media events that encourage children
and families to discover the wonders of our world and its people.
Museum of Rhode
Island History
Aldrich House, 110 Benevolent Street, Providence, RI 02906
401-331-8575
The Museum features changing exhibitions that focus on the state's
history, architecture, decorative arts, photography and popular
culture. In addition, the Aldrich House is currently home to the Rhode
Island Heritage Hall of Fame.
Museum of Work and
Culture
42 South Main Street, Market Square, Woonsocket, RI 02895 401-769-9675
The Museum presents the compelling and touching story of the
French-Canadians who left the farms of Quebec for the factories of New
England. It tells the remarkable cultural preservation story of faith,
language and customs.
Museum of Yachting
Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI 02840 401-847-1018
See "Courageous" America's Cup winner, Small Craft Gallery,
Mansions and Yachts exhibit, Singlehanded Hall of Fame, America's Cup
gallery, in-water boat collection and "Pirates &
Privateers."
Naval War College
Museum
686 Cushing Road, Newport, RI 02841-1207 401-841-4052
Located in Founders Hall (1820), a National Historic Landmark, on
Coasters Harbor Island, Newport. The Museum features exhibits on the
history of naval warfare, particularly as studied at the College, the
senior professional school in the Navy, and on the naval heritage of
Narragansett Bay.
Newport Art Museum
76 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI 02840 401-848-8200
The Museum presents special exhibitions of work by important regional
artists, historic and contemporary, as well as stimulating classes for
adults and children. Special events include the Artists' Ball (April)
and Wet Paint (August), summer musical picnics and a winter lecture
series.
Providence
Children's Museum
100 South Street, Providence, RI 02903 401-273-KIDS
Providence Children's Museum is a hands-on place where kids and
grown-ups play and learn together. Explore the swirling, whirling ways
of water. Discover the secret world beneath the city streets. Find out
how much fun learning can be!
Quonset Air Museum
488 Eccleston Avenue, North Kingstown, RI 02852 401-294-9540
Located in a 50,000-square-foot, vintage military hanger adjacent to
Quonset State Airport. The Museum's mission is to preserve and promote
Rhode Island's contributions to aviation history.
The RISD Museum
Rhode Island School of Design, 224 Benefit Street, Providence, RI
02903 401-454-6500
Rhode Island's leading museum of fine and decorative arts. More than
85,000 works of art, some of the finest examples of their kind from
every part of the world, are just steps from downtown Providence.
Roger Williams
National Memorial
282 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02903 401-521-7266
Located on the site of Roger Williams' original 1636 settlement in
Providence, the Memorial offers a Visitor Center with exhibits and
videos exploring Williams' contributions to the principles of freedom
in this country.
Slater Mill
Historic Site
67 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02862 401-725-8638
"The Birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution"
houses textile machinery, a theater, and galleries. The site also
includes the Sylvanus Brown House (c. 1758) and the Wilkinson Mill (c.
1810) which houses a 2-ton operational water wheel.
South County Museum
Canonchet Farm, Narragansett, RI 02882 401-783-5400
The museum features over 20,000 artifacts dating from 1800 to the late
1940's arranged and displayed in historically accurate exhibits.
Country kitchen, general store, blacksmith's shop, Yankee crafts and
more.
Thames Science
Center
77 Long Wharf, Newport, RI 02840 401-849-6966
The LEGO Mindstorms Robotic Invention System is only one of the
intelligent toys featured in The Toy Factor: An Exhibit of Smart Toys.
Explore with state-of-the-art digital microscopes and telescopes. Even
the yo-yo's have brains!
Warwick Museum of
Art
3259 Post Road, Warwick, RI 02886 401-737-0010
The gallery features exhibitions by local artists with the primary
focus on talented young professionals who have not yet been discovered
by the public. Approximately eight exhibitions are offered annually.
Also features art classes and a monthly concert series.
This is a sampling
of the many museums Rhode Island has to offer.
Information provided courtesy of Rhode Island Tourism Development
Advisory Council.
The Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau
One West Exchange Street, Providence, RI 02903
Tel: 800 233-1636 (in RI: 401 274-1636)
Fax: 401 351-2090
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