Rhode Island
10 Oldest Founded Small Towns to Visit in Rhode Island
Providence can make for the best history-themed vacation in Rhode Island, perhaps even in New England. Among many of its attractions, the oldest town in the Ocean State has the Roger Williams National Memorial, a site that pays tribute to the man credited with founding the state and advancing ideas ahead of his time, particularly the concept of the separation of church and state. However, Rhode Island is home to many other smaller towns that are both historic and beautiful. From Portsmouth to South Kingston, discover below the ten oldest-founded small towns to visit in Rhode Island.
Portsmouth
Portsmouth, the oldest municipality in Rhode Island after Providence, lies along the Sakonnet River, an Indian name that ostensibly means “Haunt of the Wild Black Goose.” Portsmouth was established in 1638 by Anne Hutchinson, William Coddington, and John Clarke, among others. Hutchinson had been arguing that people could reach God through individual intuition — not by observing institutionalized beliefs or following the precepts of ministers. For this, she was accused of “traducing the ministers,” to mean slandering them — was convicted in 1637 and banished from Boston and the Massachusetts Bay Colony. That is how Hutchinson, with some of her followers, established Portsmouth. Today, one will enjoy roaming around the Green Animals Topiary Garden, swimming in the calm, shallow waters of Sandy Point Beach, or grazing at fun, casual spots such as Foodworks Restaurant, loved for its great breakfast and lunch menu.
Westerly
As its name implies, Westerly is the westernmost town in the state of Rhode Island. It reclines along the Pawcatuck River, an Algonquian Indian word that ostensibly means “open divided stream.” Although its European settlement history goes back to 1648, Westerly would be incorporated 21 years later in 1669. The town had its start as a ship-building hub before transitioning into an economy that mostly relies on tourism. Visitors often marvel at the massive historic homes here, including the Babcock-Smith House, a Georgian Mansion built in 1734, many years before the Continental Congress. Down at Watch Hill, the charming village where Taylor Swift has a home, a visitor will enjoy a quiet, laid-back vacation amid spellbinding nautical charm. For some light action, Napatree Point Conservation Area, which features one of the best sunset beaches in Rhode Island, has well-kept paths perfect for evening strolls. If tagging kids, the Flying Horse Carousel is the oldest working carousel in the nation. Ready to crown it with a glass of wine? Tapped Apple Cidery & Winery is a required stop.
North Kingstown
An outdoor and garden shop in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. Editorial credit: James Kirkikis / Shutterstock.com
Settled in 1641, incorporated in 1674, and divided into North Kingstown and South Kingstown in 1723, this town (and area) boasts some of the most dated histories in Rhode Island. One can trace the town’s footprints at spots such as the Old Narragansett Church, which was built in 1707, Smith’s Castle, one of the oldest surviving plantation houses in America (it was built in 1678), and the impressive Casey Farm in nearby Saunderstown, which was built around 1750 and is today maintained as a typical New England farmstead, complete with flowers and fruits, meat and music. Plus, Saunderstown is the birthplace of Gilbert Stuart, who painted the most popular image of George Washington; the one on the American one-dollar bill. If in the area, you may want to check out The Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum. For some sand and sun, North Kingstown Town Beach is right at your doorstep.
East Greenwich
East Greenwich rests on the beautiful Greenwich Bay, just 20 minutes down the road from Providence. It was incorporated in 1677 and later called Dedford before being renamed for the city of Greenwich in London, where hemispheres meet and from where we have the Greenwich Meridian (0° longitude) and Greenwich Mean Time. For many years after the birth of the new nation, Rhode Island would rotate its capitol to its five counties. During this period, East Greenwich served as one of the five capitals, representing Kent County. The courthouse, now East Greenwich Town Hall, was built in 1804. It is here that the meetings of the General Assembly were held. Many Revolutionary War heroes hailed from East Greenwich, including General James Mitchell Varnum, whose house, now the Varnum House Museum, is restored with period furnishings. There is also the Kentish Guards Armory, one of a handful of militia armories in the entire state.
Little Compton
Little Compton, founded by explorers from Plymouth Colony, was once called Sakonnet, translated as “the black goose comes.” Today, the town’s flag has two geese, possibly lending credence to the assertion. It was incorporated in 1682, 12 years before the convention of the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia’s Carpenters’ Hall. Sakonnet was renamed “Little Compton” the same year. Wilbor House, built in the 1600s, now hosts the Little Compton Historical Society. Accommodation options around the town include Stone House Inn, an elegant four-story house constructed in 1854 by a prominent business entrepreneur from Providence. At Whitehead Preserve at Dundery, a scenic boardwalk takes one through the woods amid the soft cooing of birds and nature’s unspoiled beauty.
New Shoreham
New Shoreham, which is the only town on Block Island, was incorporated in 1672. Settlers from Massachusetts arrived on Block Island in 1661. In 1664, just three years later, the island was admitted to the colony of Rhode Island. Once known primarily for farming and fishing, Block Island is today a fairly big name in vacation circles. You can stay at the Spring House Hotel, which is loved for its stunning views and central location. It was built in 1854, and hence, is the oldest hotel on the Island. Other attractions include the 185-foot Mohegan Bluffs, which provides the best views of the Atlantic Ocean. Plus, there is the beach, the lighthouse, and the kangaroos and camels at the Abrams Animal Farm.
Jamestown
Jamestown was incorporated in 1678 when the area was still part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. It would be transferred to the Rhode Island Colony more than 60 years later in 1746. Today, Jamestown breams with many tasty restaurants, cute locally owned shops, and numerous attractions, many of which provide a glimpse into its rich and fascinating history. There is the windmill in the Windmill Historic District, which ground corn for farmers for over a century until 1896. Also, besides being a fantastic spot to enjoy the sunset, Beavertail State Park provides access to the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum, from where one will enjoy spectacular views of the ocean. However, for some awesome artistic presentations, Jamestown Arts Center is the ultimate destination.
Bristol
Bristol was incorporated in 1681 and named for Bristol, England, home to Fry’s Chocolate, the first company on the planet to make chocolate bars. Historic landmarks within the precincts of Bistol include the Joseph Reynolds House, the oldest known three-story building in Rhode Island. It was built in 1698. It has hosted some notable guests, including Lafayette, who stayed there during a military operation in 1778. Likewise, there is Bristol State House, whose hallowed walls have witnessed centuries of Rhode Island’s heritage. If you want to stroll through a space where beauty pores from almost every spot, Blithewold Manor, Gardens & Arboretum is the best option for miles. Of the Gilded Age properties in the Bristol area, this is one of the most ornate, outdoorsy, and exquisitely landscaped.
Tiverton
Tiverton is tucked away in the easternmost realm of Rhode Island, an area originally known for its rich shellfish beds, mild climate, and abundant wildlife. Although its settlement history goes a bit longer, Tiverton was incorporated in 1694. At the time, the area was still part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. About 50 years later in 1746, by British Royal decree, Tiverton was brought within the jurisdiction of Rhode Island. One will have a blast traipsing through the Tiverton Four Corners Historic District, a homey 18th-century New England Village with a sculpture garden, cute shops, and tasty restaurants. Set base at Sakonnet Farm and Stays, enjoy hearty breakfasts at Groundswell Cafe + Bakery, and walk through the woods at the Audubon Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge. Alternatively, Fort Barton and Ft. Barton Woods, the site of historic military engagements, has trails that weave through small brooks and streams.
South Kingston
The area that South Kingston occupies was once part of a larger town called Kingstown. It was appreciably large and comprised the present-day towns of North Kingstown (highlighted above), South Kingstown, Exeter, Narragansett, and Middletown. Crossing rivers and streams to attend town meetings in far-flung spots soon proved back-breaking. At least according to the folks from the southern parts of the town. Therefore, they petitioned the General Assembly in June 1722 for the creation of a new town out of the existing Kingstown. It was the first such request in the state. The subsequent division a year later was also the first of its kind in 18th-century Colonial Rhode Island. Samuel E. Perry Grist Mill, later known as Carpenter’s Grist Mill, is a historical gem that has been in use since 1703. That said, mingle with turtles and ospreys at the tranquil Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge before crowning everything with a cold drink at Mews Tavern, which has been in business since 1947.
Step into Rhode Island’s Timeless Heritage
Touching brick walls that have weathered three hundred winters, have witnessed epoch-making events, and seen both prosperity and desperation — is one of life’s most evocative experiences. It is a nice idea to read a book, perhaps Charles Bancroft’s The Footprints of Time; however, nothing compares to a physical tour of these historic sites, which is quite a sobering reality. Rhode Island boasts a rich and fascinating history and some of these can be enjoyed in Providence, the state’s oldest city. However, many other little gems in the state are just as good, just as travel-worthy. For specific suggestions, check out Portsmouth and all the towns highlighted here.
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With time running out and no action scheduled yet, advocates are escalating their campaign to convince lawmakers to pass the Rhode Island “Voting Rights Act” introduced by Senate President Valarie Lawson and House Majority Leader Katherine Kazarian.
But it appears the bill has already been declared dead for the year.
Lawson, House Speaker Christopher Blazejewski and Secretary of State Gregg Amore issued this joint statement on Monday, June 8:
“From the beginning, we have all understood the importance of passing a strong Rhode Island Voting Rights Act. But we also understand that as the federal administration continues to work to make it more difficult to access the ballot box, we have to do it right.”
“Advocates and other parties raised several concerns,” the statement said. “It is imperative that we enact as strong, enforceable, and defensible a bill as possible. With those priorities in mind, we recognize there is more work to do.”
“As drafted this year, the provisions of the Voting Rights Act would not take effect until the 2028 election cycle. Therefore, we will work over the course of the off-session to put forward as strong a bill as possible for consideration in 2027 and will continue to prioritize the Voting Rights Act in the upcoming session,” the statement continued.
The reaction from one angry advocate, Sen. Tiara Mack: “I’m not done fighting.”
How did we get here?
The legislation was introduced in response to thwarted Republican efforts to pass a federal SAVE Act to require proof of citizenship to register to vote and came weeks before the U.S. Supreme Court hollowed out a landmark Civil Rights-era law that has increased minority representation in Congress and elsewhere, opening the door for more redistricting across the country that could aid Republican efforts to maintain control the House.
“This is not abstract. This is about power,” Shahidah Ali, chairwoman of the political arm of the Rhode Island Coalition of Black Women, said at a voting rights rally that packed the State House Library on March 31.
“This is about who gets to participate in our democracy, and who is pushed out of it.”
On Sunday, June 7, Ali reiterated that warning and her frustration that the bill appears, despite its high-powered sponsors, to be in limbo going into the expected final days of the legislative session, saying she didn’t understand why the bill wasn’t moving as quickly as she thought it would.
“I feel like when you’re in a super majority and it’s something that’s needed after … the gutting of the Federal Voting Rights Act, I would think that this would be a no-brainer, that the Democrats in this state would understand the importance and the urgency of a bill to protect voters, especially Black voters,” she said.
Why hasn’t the bill moved?
As of Sunday, Rep. Kathy Fogarty, a co-sponsor of the House version of the bill (H8334), has not given up hope the bill would still pass. But, she said, “my understanding is that they were concerned …. [and] wanted to review” some of Attorney General Peter Neronha’s comments about the bill after Secretary of State Gregg Amore asked him for his input.
Fogarty said the May 7 leadership change in the House put the newly elected Speaker Blazejewski and Kazarian, in her newly elevated role as majority leader, in front of a proverbial “fire hose,” with the finalization of the proposed new $15.2 billion state budget their first priority.
With the need to finalize the budget, which won House approval on June 5, “I think that this just kind of got pushed to the side,” Fogarty said of the voting rights bill.
The backdrop
The proposed Rhode Island Voter Rights Act was introduced to enshrine federal protections against voter suppression, vote dilution and “racially-based gerrymandering” in state law.
The legislation was introduced in response to the push by President Donald Trump and his GOP allies in Congress for passage of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, known more familiarly as the SAVE Act.
While Rhode Island already has its own Voter ID law requiring prospective voters to show a photo identification to cast their ballot, the SAVE Act would require proof of citizenship – such as a valid U.S. passport and certified birth certificate – to register to vote.
If the U.S. Senate were able to muster the votes to pass the SAVE Act, critics say millions could be disenfranchised, including married women whose adult names do not match the names on their birth certificates.
Speaking at the March 31 Rhode Island rally, U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner said not enough attention has gone to the proposed requirement that a voter present the same level of documentation to obtain a mail ballot, “but only if they showed up to their board of canvassers in person to prove their citizenship.” This would obviously be problematic for people too ill to leave their homes, hospitalized, out of the country or even, out of state on business.
As currently drafted, the proposed Rhode Island Voting Rights Act would take effect on January 1, 2027.
What were the concerns about the bill?
The edits Neronha’s staff suggested to the Secretary of State’s Office were largely cosmetic – the deletion of an extraneous word here or there, or clarification of a potentially muddy sentences.
In a June 6 letter to John Marion, executive director of the citizens-advocacy group Common Cause Rhode Island, Neronha said: “I do not view our comments on the proposed Act as particularly extensive nor burdensome nor time-consuming to implement, in whole or in part, should there be a desire to do so.”
Neronha’s letter said that his comments on the bill shouldn’t impede its passage, or be taken “even as a suggestion” that he doesn’t support the bill. His office’s role, he said, was to make a “laudable piece of legislation better if we could.”
“We undertook that task because we were asked to, and I agreed because I believe that passage of a Voting Rights Act is important to protecting the rights of Rhode Islanders and our democracy,” Neronha said.
Advocates are not giving up
In recent weeks, Ali said she went on radio to make an appeal to Black and brown men, in particular, to support the legislation, while she and other advocates distributed 3,300 postcards to be mailed to state lawmakers.
The message: “Dear Senator (Representative), The Voting Rights Act is one of the most important statutes we have in this country as it protects everyone’s right to vote and allows our country to function as a true democracy. Until it is codified into Rhode Island state law our fundamental Civil Rights are at risk.”
“We cannot afford to lose our Civil Rights with an election coming.”
This story has been updated with new information.
Rhode Island
Providence’s ‘Superman’ building: 13 years of empty promises over a state landmark – The Boston Globe
What Providence is going through is an unusually visible example of a problem facing many cities, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic: What combination of carrots and sticks can officials use to turn unwanted office space into something that suits a changing city’s needs?
Even if the building cannot be revived to its former glory, when office workers once poured out of the stunning marbled lobby during lunchtime to create a downtown buzz, surely developers and political leaders can do better.
“This becomes a symbol of this anxiety about Providence and its economic strength,” said Marisa Angell Brown, executive director of the Providence Preservation Society. “It raises that question: Has Providence turned the corner? Are we going to turn the corner?”
For years, the plan has been to redevelop the empty office tower into about 300 apartments, 20 percent of which would be below market rents, set aside for low- and moderate-income Rhode Islanders, along with commercial space on the ground floor. Ongoing squabbles about the size and scope of tax abatements from the city and state have delayed the project repeatedly. The redevelopment now hinges on a low-interest loan of up to $236 million from the US Department of Transportation, green lit for eligibility under former president Joe Biden then held up by the Trump administration.
Adding to the recent troubles, David Sweetser, the principal of High Rock Development and owner of the building since 2008, died unexpectedly last summer. The developer tapped its legal counsel, Michael Crossen, to continue with the project. A spokesperson for High Rock, Bill Fischer, told the editorial board that the firm is focused on finalizing funding details and remains “optimistic the project will proceed.” Fischer said once financing is in place, construction will be complete within 24 to 30 months.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley is urging patience. “I think it’s fair to say that the situation is frustrating and probably that many people, myself included, are anxious to see something happen, but big historic complicated buildings sometimes require complicated solutions,” Smiley told the Globe’s editorial board.
It’s a scenario playing out in commercial spaces across the nation, with office towers selling at deep discounts as owners struggle with low occupancy rates. If Providence can find a path forward to address a housing shortage while also reviving such a high-profile building, it could become a model for cities across the nation.
Transforming office space into apartments is notoriously tricky. Office configurations come with little interior natural light and plumbing that’s largely incompatible with residential layouts. Still, studies have shown that single-room occupancy units that ring the edge of the building — with shared kitchens, bathrooms, laundry, and living rooms in the center of the building — can work.
This type of low-cost downtown housing has traditionally carried a stigma, but it could be an option for students, young professionals, new arrivals to a city, or retirees. It could also reduce homelessness. Yes, it would not be a huge money generator for a landlord hoping to charge higher rents, but public subsidies could make it work.
Most agree: Tearing down the Superman building is not a great option. In 2017, former Providence mayor turned developer Joe Paolino floated the idea of replacing it with a modern office tower for an anchor tenant, a concept that sent shudders across the city and still reverberates.
“To tear down that building in the middle of city, it would be an absolute sin,” Michael Sabitoni, the president of the Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council, told a Globe columnist in 2021.
Construction on the Art Deco building began in 1927. The building featured plaster, bronze work, and the very latest in modern elevator mechanics.
In 2019, the building was listed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s annual list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.
The plight of the building has captivated Providence for too many years now.
In 2020, seven graduate students studying adaptive reuse at the Rhode Island School of Design reimagined uses for the Superman building. Ideas included several theaters and performance spaces, senior housing, a vertical farm, laboratories, and even an amusement park.
A recent op-ed in the Globe suggests: Stop trying to solve, and pay for, the whole building renovation at once. Activate the bottom four floors with a civic space, then let the apartments above follow.
Locals commonly ask why nearby Brown University, which has a massive endowment and needs building space, including graduate student housing, can’t make something happen.
Mayor Smiley said he thinks it’s best to stick with the current developer’s vision for apartments. “There’s a lot of external factors that unfortunately, and somewhat coincidentally, have complicated the timeline. But that doesn’t mean that it’s still not the best plan for the building.”
The mayor says he’s in regular touch with the developer. But few others seem to know what’s going on as they walk past scaffolding in the heart of downtown, and tolerance after more than a decade of delays is running thin. If the the building’s owner can’t get things moving, it should move on and let somebody else take a try at building something.
“It’s a shame that it just sits there and nobody is taking care of it,” said Behrouz Sarlak, owner of Loominous Rug Gallery, which sits a few blocks away from the Superman. “A lot can be done. You just have to be creative.”
Editorials represent the views of the Boston Globe Editorial Board. Follow us @GlobeOpinion.
Video: Moses Brown celebrates D1 girls lacrosse championship
Moses Brown celebrates Division I girls lacrosse championship by beating East Greenwich on Sunday, June 7 at Brown University.
PROVIDENCE – They made the short walk from campus, crossing the threshold at Brown University with 17 minutes to go until the RIIL Girls State Championship game was set to begin.
Moses Brown wasn’t running late. The Quakers were ready – and then they went out and proved it.
The Quakers didn’t just win Sunday’s state title matchup with East Greenwich. They put on a display of utter dominance, winning every facet of the game in extraordinary fashion. MB put up eight goals in the first quarter, triggered a running clock before halftime and rolled to a 20-4 win over the Avengers, winning the program’s fourth straight state crown.
“It feels amazing. We’ve worked for this all season,” Moses Brown’s Avery Butler said. “We’ve had our ups and our downs and it’s great to know all our hard work paid off.”
“It definitely feels great and feels like all our hard work, all year all 365 days of this year really paid off,” Moses Brown’s Goose Brousseau said. “We really did it all together.”
East Greenwich’s afternoon didn’t get off to a good start – Brown University failed to unlock the entrance gate, forcing the Avengers to take a lap around the stadium to get in – and quickly found out what happens when Moses Brown does.
The Quakers owned the draw circle with Jane Belsito, Samantha Mocco and Sophia Mocco winning all but one in the first quarter. When MB had the ball, it did something with it. Butler did most of the damage in the opening 12 minutes, scoring four goals, but it wasn’t by design.
“If I’m taking it or [the Moccos) are taking it, we’re all together,” Belsito said. “If I have them on the circle and I mess up, they have my back. They just calm me down.”
“It’s just what happens. Everyone in our offense is so good, we all take turns having our own moment. It can be anyone at any time and my teammates did a great job finding me and we just worked so well together.”
With the ball on Moses Brown sticks for the large majority of the game, any chance at an East Greenwich comeback was null and void. The Avengers had the best offensive player on the field in Tessa Charello-Ingegneri, but she couldn’t put her skills to use because MB never let it happen.
In the second quarter, the Mocco sisters – Sophia Mocco and Sam Mocco – popped goals 33 seconds apart and Butler’s fifth of the day made it 11-2. With 3:46 left before halftime,Lola Baill scored to bring the running clock into play and Butler added her sixth to make it 13-2 at halftime.
Moses Brown coach Brian Williams didn’t need to make many adjustments for the second half and his players knew exactly what to do over the final two quarters.
“We like to play our best every game, but today was really special,” Butler said. “We spent a lot of time preparing. Every practice we were really focused and we had a lot of time to do film and think about what we can do best.
“Today really meant a lot for us that it all worked out well.”
It was a tough end to an incredible season for East Greenwich. The lacrosse community is strong within the town and an annual trip to Brown should be a part of the Avengers’ expectations. They’ll return a strong core of young players – including All-Stater Charello-Ingegneri – and Sunday’s loss should serve as an education experience in what work will need to be done if they want to win a title.
“I’m just happy we got to be here and play our game,” Charello-Ingegneri said. “We knew it was going to be a challenge but I’m happy with our team and all of our success this season. We’re going to come back even stronger next year and this is a learning opportunity for us and we’ll do everything we can do take it next year.
For Moses Brown, it’s the end of an era for a core group of seniors who started as freshmen following a season where the team didn’t win a crown – a 10-8 loss to Barrington in 2022 – and did nothing but win throughout their careers.
The Quakers didn’t do it on just talent. They did it with the things people don’t see.
Like going through a full warmup on your home field prior to the biggest game of the season.
“We have our rituals that we do before we come and that walk from MB to Brown, we are just so centered with ourselves,” Butler said. “When come we do our normal warmup and we feel all right.
“It’s just about channeling nerves and if we warm up calm and relaxed, we don’t have things to worry about in the games. We know who we are.”
“Every single person is doing something for the person next to them,” Brousseau said. “Getting to warm up on our home field and do everything together and really feel at home with everyone was just really important to us.
We came over late because we were just together for longer and that was important to us.”
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