Rocky Point State Park in Warwick in Kent County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)
The Shore Dinner Hall
| — | Rocky Point Park Pathways Project | — |
In 1840, Captain William Winslow began to bring his Sunday school class to Rocky Point for weekend outings. These proved so popular, in 1847, he purchased 89 acres and began transporting people via steamboat to the site and serving a shore dinner, featuring seafood from the Bay and fruits and vegetables grown on the grounds. Those shore dinners gained popularity with the locals and became so profitable that a 4,000-seat Shore Dinner Hall was built overlooking the Bay.
One of the most memorable clambakes was held for the 40th reunion of the Army of the Potomac in 1904, when over 250 veterans of the Civil War and their guests came from all areas of the United States. However, in the more modern era the hall's long tables supported family-style dining for guests to feast on local favorites such as clam chowder, clam cakes, Narrgansett steamed clams with drawn butter, boiled lobsters, and corn on the cob. For those individuals in a bit more of a hurry, the take-out window was always ready with piping hot clam cakes and chowder.
Fun Fact: On July 4, 1976, the Nation's Bicentennial, 37,075 dinners were served, according to Conrad Ferla, longtime park manager, 1976.
Erected by Leadership
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Food & Drink • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1976.
Location. 41° 41.37′ N, 71° 21.915′ W. Marker is in Warwick, Rhode Island, in Kent County. It is in Rocky Point State Park. It is on Rocky Point Avenue 0.4 miles east of Palmer Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Rocky Point Ave, Warwick RI 02889, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Providence and on Narragansett Bay. It is also in the American Northeast, in New England, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Presidential Phone Call (within shouting distance of this marker);
Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 472 times since then and 69 times this year. Last updated on October 12, 2026, by Trudi Jacobson of Slingerlands, New York. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 13, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
