In the decade before the Revolutionary War, the British were enforcing revenue laws by stationing maritime law enforcement vessels in Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay. In 1769, Newport citizens burned the British sloop in protest of violations . . . — — Map (db m151735) HM
Welcome to the birthplace of religious freedom in the United States. Roger Williams, fleeing religious persecution in England and Massachusetts Bay Colony, founded Providence here in 1636. The original inhabitants, the Narragansett and Wampanoag, . . . — — Map (db m115217) HM
Built by publisher John Carter in 1772 to house the printing press of the Providence Gazette, the post office and a bookshop as well as Carter's growing family, this is one of the oldest three-story structures in Providence. So named for the . . . — — Map (db m56034) HM
Ten times Governor of Rhode Island
Chief Justice of the Superior Court
Chancellor of Brown University
Member of the Colonial Congress
Signer of the Declaration of Independence
Lived in this house 1743-1785
Washington was here a guest . . . — — Map (db m56030) HM
Founded by
Roger Williams
A.D. 1638
The oldest
Baptist Church
in America
The oldest church in this state
This meeting house erected
A.D. 1773 — — Map (db m56032) HM
The First Baptist Meeting House is locate one block east of this bridge at 75 North Main Street. Founded in 1638 by Roger Williams, the First Baptist Church is the oldest Baptist congregation in America and has held continuous services since . . . — — Map (db m151712) HM
adapted from The Civic and Architectural Development of Providence by John Hutchins Cady
Just to the north of where you are now standing the first bridge across the Providence River was erected in 1660, connecting the shore of the Neck with . . . — — Map (db m56466) HM
Erected 1773 • Joseph Brown • Architect
John Hutchins Cady • Architect of the alteration • 1950
The City of Providence, by deed signed by Mayor Dennis j. Roberts dated May 27, 1948, transferred this building to the School for its . . . — — Map (db m222497) HM
This building was erected in 1769 as a public school house by the town and proprietors.
Occupied by Brown University in 1770.
One of the four first free public school buildings in 1800.
Occupied by a school for colored children for . . . — — Map (db m56049) HM
Forced worship stinks in God's nostrils.
Roger Williams, in a letter to Connecticut
Governor Thomas Prence (1670)
The steeple in front of you is the First Baptist Church in America, gathered by Roger Williams in 1638. Williams was . . . — — Map (db m122503) HM
If this building could speak, it would tell the remarkable tale of a city’s transformation.
The Antram-Gray House, the oldest surviving commercial building in Providence, was built around 1730 as a residence and distillery.
It soon found . . . — — Map (db m107736) HM
The rivers in Providence, 14 years after Roger Williams founded the city, were crossed by fording at low tide.
As time passed, some of the long narrow house lots became streets named after the owners of the lots. The stream ending in Mile . . . — — Map (db m222677) HM
The first bridge across the Providence River was 40 years old by this time. The first wharf was built behind Towne Street (later named South Main Street). The center of town was established in what is now called Moshassuck Square. — — Map (db m222679) HM
The First Baptist Church in America relocated to its present site. Market House and University Hall were five years old. "Weybosset" Bridge had been rebuilt and a ferry boat operated from Cowpen Point. Many more wharfs appeared behind Towne Street . . . — — Map (db m222711) HM
1982 Forty-two years had passed since the last bridge had been built over the river and nearly a century had lapsed since the Cove Basin was filled in by the railroad. The Capital Center Railroad Relocation Project started . . . — — Map (db m222693) HM
The Great Salt Cove, a tidal pond, once filled the area that has become, over the past 160 years, the city's center for transportation, civic life, and commercial activity. Formed between 3800 and 2700 years ago, it was a major Native American . . . — — Map (db m222721) HM
Though uninhabited on the eve of its settlement by Europeans, this area already had a 7000 year history of activity by native Americans. In 1636, this land was the low, marshy shoreline of a large saltwater cove to the west, along the eastern side . . . — — Map (db m56175) HM
…at last to proclaim a true and absolute Soul-Freedom to all the people of the land impartially, so that no person be forced to pray nor pay, otherwise than as his Soul believeth and consenteth.
Roger Williams, from Butler's . . . — — Map (db m115209) HM
In 1636, Roger Williams bought land from the Narragansett chiefs and established a colony here near the site of a fresh water spring. Naming the town for God's providence to him, Williams declared the settlement a shelter for the persecuted of all . . . — — Map (db m56176) HM
The junction of five Native American trails once occupied this stretch of North Main Street, between College Street and the Y-intersection at Mill Street. The Narragansett Trail or Pequot Path, as well as the Louquassuck, Pawtucket, Wampanoag, . . . — — Map (db m223303) HM
Organized in 1743 under the leadership of Joseph Snow Sr. as ruling elder. First minister Rev Joseph Snow Jr. 1743-1793. Original meeting house built on this site 1744-6. Present building dedicated in 1810. Vestry and Chancel remodeled and present . . . — — Map (db m56338) HM
The area that would become Providence's West Side, including Central Wharf, was former tidal marshlands on the west side of the Providence River. Native Americans used the area as hunting and fishing grounds before Roger Williams' arrival in . . . — — Map (db m222612) HM
Roger Williams died in Providence early in 1683, and was buried with a simple ceremony behind his home, near today's intersection of Benefit St. and Bowen St. Remains at the site were exhumed in 1860 and removed to the Old North Burying Ground. In . . . — — Map (db m56154) HM
1600s
Imagine you are here in 1636, when Providence looked very different.
Providence Harbor was full of ships, an active hub for fishing and trade. It played an important role as the city grew.
1700s
In the 1700s, the . . . — — Map (db m151649) HM
These rivers were named by the Narragansett & Wampanoag peoples before Roger Williams came to Rhode Island. Woonasquatucket means "The River Where the Tide Ends". Moshassuck means "The River Where the Moose Water". — — Map (db m223078) HM
Rise of the Gangways
1704-1844
Providence was transformed in the 1700s from a rural hamlet to a seaport busily trading with other colonies, England, the West Indies and Africa. Tall masted ships docked as far north as Hall's Wharf (now . . . — — Map (db m151724) HM
The Spring of clear cold water located thirty feet west of this point led Roger Williams to found Providence here in the year 1636 from which center has developed in four directions — — Map (db m122490) HM
Welcome to the birthplace of religious freedom in the United States. Roger Williams, fleeing religious persecution in England and Massachusetts Bay Colony, founded Providence here in 1636. The original inhabitants, the Narragansett and Wampanoag, . . . — — Map (db m222490) HM
Stephanie tells me that she was born in Senegal and spoke only French as a child, but Ashley was born in Providence. They say that their family is originally from Cape Verde, an island chain off the coast of West Africa that was uninhabited until . . . — — Map (db m151648) HM
The Changing Face of the West Bank
Unlike the straight waterline of the east bank of the Providence River—formed by the steep, rising hillside—the west bank was irregular and swampy. By 1819, while the entire length of the east . . . — — Map (db m151751) HM
A Short River Through Time
“Mooshausick,” was the name given by the native Narragansett tribe to the body of water that flows into the Providence River at Confluence Park. It means “river where the moose . . . — — Map (db m107704) HM
Early Years: Providence is a city with a long waterfront tradition. In 1636 Providence was established on the banks of the Providence River. During the 1600's, Providence, initially a farming community, grew slowly, spreading out along the . . . — — Map (db m151744) HM
Left Plaque The Spring on this lot was the original water supply around which Roger Williams gathered the first settlers was in 1721 by reservation in the deed from the Proprietors of Providence made accessible to the townspeople forever . . . — — Map (db m56174) HM
A freshwater spring attracted Roger Williams to this site and anchored the community.
Williams built his house across the street, and religious and civil meetings took place around its “gushing” waters.
The spring remained in . . . — — Map (db m107747) HM
The Early Years
“Wanasquatucket” was the name given by the native Narragansett tribe to the larger river that flows into the Providence River and Confluence Park. It means “the river where the tide ends.” This panel, along with the panel . . . — — Map (db m107723) HM
Development of the Rhode Island House Plan
1636 - 1800
Early 17th century house plan: one and a half story end chimney house frame, typical one room end chimney plan, and framing details. Studs were not often used in early Rhode Island . . . — — Map (db m151710) HM
These rivers were named by the Narragansett & Wampanoag peoples peoples before Roger Williams came to Rhode Island. Woonasquatucket means "The River Where the Tide Ends". Moshassuck means "The River Where the Moose Water" — — Map (db m222695) HM
To Giovanni Da Verrazzano the navigator from Italy who in 1524 crossed the perilous northern Ocean. First to behold the coast of the future United States cast anchor in this bay explore its islands one of which because of its shape he christened . . . — — Map (db m190083) HM
"What Cheer, Netop?"
Roger Williams Landing, 1636
If you were standing on this spot at any time prior to the late 1870's, you would have been standing (or more likely, swimming) in the Seekonk River. The original shoreline was several . . . — — Map (db m151691) HM
Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island, was born in London in 1603. After graduating from Cambridge University in 1627, Williams took holy orders in the church of England. In 1630 he emigrated to the New World and settled in the Massachusetts . . . — — Map (db m57585) HM
To the memory of
Roger Williams
The Apostle of Soul Liberty
Founder of the
State of Rhode Island
and
Providence Plantations
Below this spot
then at the waters edge
stood the rock
on which
according to tradition . . . — — Map (db m151690) HM
Welcome to India Point Park
In 1962, Mary Elizabeth Sharpe wrote of her vision for a park at the head of Narragansett Bay. Her passion for landscape allowed her to see beyond the abused and neglected waterfront. She shared her thoughts in a . . . — — Map (db m75991) HM
Built in 1773, the one-and-a-half-story, five-room, gambrel-roofed cottage sits on part of the land originally deeded to Rhode Island's founder, Roger Williams, by the Narrangansett sachems Miantonomi and Canonicus.
It was built for James . . . — — Map (db m222437) HM
The magnificent Betsey Williams Sycamore is a beloved icon of Roger Williams Park, and the most famous tree in Rhode Island. It is estimated to be about 250 years old, planted shortly after the cottage was built in 1773.
The American . . . — — Map (db m222440) HM
The area of today’s City of East Providence was inhabited by the Pokanoket Tribe, later known as the Wampanoag, for over 10,000 years. In 1621, the Massasoit Ousamequin entered into a mutual protection agreement with the English settlers in . . . — — Map (db m207459) HM
South of this spot is located Fort Ninigret marked by the State of Rhode Island as a memorial of the Narragansett and Niantic Indians. The unwavering friends and allies of our fathers. — — Map (db m31988) HM
This American Liberty Elm was named after "The Liberty Tree: Our Country's first Symbol of Freedom." On the morning of August 14, 1765, the people of Boston awakened to discover two effigies suspended from an elm tree in protest of the hated . . . — — Map (db m114946) HM
Here for more than a century was the religious, business and civil center of Westerly. Near by in private homes, the people met in town meetings. Here crossed paths from what is now Hopkinton, Richmond and Westerly. Here were the first mill dam and . . . — — Map (db m29616) HM
Seventh Day Baptists, members of a church of like faith in Newport, Rhode Island until 1708, first worshipped in this community in 1672. The first meeting house was built in 1680. The nearby-by church, which replaced the original building, was . . . — — Map (db m30392) HM
(on the North side the following)
1680 - 1899
This Monument is a Memorial to the early Pastors of the Second Seventh-day Baptist Church in America, whose remains lie buried within the enclosing circle. They were stalwart men and sound . . . — — Map (db m30707) HM
Here original settlers lived in caves and shelters. Site of first church 1772 Pastors Oliver Dodge, Trustrum Dodge Nearby site of first school house, windmill, pound, precious spring. Indian burying hill — — Map (db m17231) HM
In 1637 near this spot, Roger Williams set up a trading post where he dwelt for many years, trading and treating with the Narragansett Indians. His dealings so completely won and held the friendliness of the powerful Narragansett sachems that for . . . — — Map (db m78927) HM
At this “round rock,” noted Indian landmark, the original purchase of this land was made from Quassaquanch, Kachanaquant, and Quequaquenuet, chief Sachems of the Narragansetts, by Samuel Wilbor, John Hull, John Porter, Samuel Wilson, . . . — — Map (db m48053) HM
East side
This pillar is erected to the memory of William Jackson of Virginia, who was murdered upon this spot by ship captain Thomas Carter of Newport, Rhode Island who, having been ship-wrecked and rendered penniless thereby, and being . . . — — Map (db m29314) HM
Three Quarters of a mile to the Southward on an island in the Great Swamp the Narragansett Indians were decisively defeated by the United Forces of the Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut, and Plymouth Colonies, Sunday, December 19, 1675. — — Map (db m56046) HM
Founded in 1750 as Lotteryville
So named from the 1750 land lottery granted by the Rhode Island Assembly to Captain Joseph Pendleton to recoup the loss of his brigantine and its cargo on a return from the West Indies. Renamed Avondale in 1893 when . . . — — Map (db m30394) HM
The home of Doctor Joshua Babcock, first physician and first postmaster in Westerly. Chief justice of the Supreme Court of the Colony of Rhode Island.
In this house was the first post office in Westerly. — — Map (db m226783) HM
