Rhode Island

The oldest town in Rhode Island is not what you would think

Published

2 years ago

September 20, 2024

The oldest town in Rhode Island is not what you would think

As Rhode Island’s capital, Providence is well-known as the state’s hub for food, arts and entertainment, but did you know it is also the state’s oldest town?

Providence was founded by Roger Williams in 1636, making it nearly 400 years old. According to the National Parks Service website, Williams and a group of companions first settled near a freshwater spring in what is now the College Hill area of the city.

Upon finding the spring, Williams negotiated with Narragansett chiefs Canonicus and Miantonomi, who agreed to give him the land that would become Providence in exchange for English trade goods. King Charles II of England granted Williams a charter for the colony in 1663.

Since that founding day in 1636, Providence played an important role in the country’s early history. The city was a hub for trading in the 1700s, home to many early revolutionary efforts and, as the country progressed into the Industrial Revolution, a leader in manufacturing products like thread, jewelry and machinery.

Providence was officially incorporated as a city in 1831 and became Rhode Island’s sole capital in 1900.

Food history: Want to eat like old-time Rhode Islanders? Here’s the best (and worst) ‘Swamp Yankee’ foods

Who was Roger Williams?

The founder of Providence, and Rhode Island as a whole, did not have an easy road getting there.

Williams originally arrived in Boston in 1631, but moved to Plymouth over religious disagreements with the Puritans there. Not agreeing with the Pilgrims either, Williams became a preacher in Salem, but was eventually banned from Massachusetts Bay Colony as a whole for his religious beliefs.

Feeling old? 5 of the oldest places in Rhode Island you can still see today

Originally fleeing from Salem on foot, Williams and his few fellow dissenters eventually had to cross the Seekonk River to exit Massachusetts. Just as Williams was about to give up hope, he encountered people of the Narragansett tribe on Slate Rock. They directed Williams up the river to the plentiful Great Salt Cove, the emptying bay of the freshwater spring where Williams landed.

Williams named the city Providence for the sense of religious guidance he felt on the journey, and it quickly became a hub for religious freedom.

Today, Providence remembers its founder in many ways you can visit throughout the city and its surrounding area. Slate Rock Park has a monument commemorating the moment of fellowship between Williams and the Narragansett tribe, and the Roger Williams National Memorial has a statue of Williams in his original landing place, which is now Prospect Terrace Park. Roger Williams also has the honor of both a university and a zoo named after him.

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Rhode Island

The Garden Experience by Central Nurseries at Rhode Island Home Show+

Published

2 hours ago

April 11, 2026

Press Room

The Garden Experience by Central Nurseries at Rhode Island Home Show+

Central Nurseries has a breathtaking exhibit at this year’s 76th annual Rhode Island Home Show +. In this segment of Studio10, Krystin Rae has the opportunity to interview Gianna Pagliarini of Central Nurseries to talk all about their business which has been around for 90 years! Every season, there is a new theme of the Garden Experience.
This year, their displays are loosely set up around different rooms of the home to help inspire home owners on incorporating plants and greenery in a new way.

The Rhode Island Home Show + offers a plethora of opportunities to grow and inspire our local home owners and builders. This year, the event features over two-hundred exhibitors.
Tickets to the event can be purchased at the door. The event continues with its last day on Sunday, April 12th.

More information can be found at the website link, available when clicking here!
More information on Central Nurseries can be found at the website link, here!

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Rhode Island

RI Lottery Mega Millions, Numbers Midday winning numbers for April 10, 2026

Published

14 hours ago

April 11, 2026

Press Room

The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at April 10, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from April 10 drawing

03-18-36-42-49, Mega Ball: 06

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Numbers numbers from April 10 drawing

Midday: 4-2-5-2

Evening: 3-1-6-5

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from April 10 drawing

01-06-20-30-35, Extra: 03

Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 10 drawing

13-20-26-32-54, Bonus: 01

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
Winners of the Millionaire for Life top prize of $1,000,000 a year for life and second prize of $100,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.

When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Rhode Island

Rhode Island’s indie bookstore passport program returns, sending readers on a statewide literary road trip – What’s Up Newp

Published

1 day ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

Rhode Island’s indie bookstore passport program returns, sending readers on a statewide literary road trip – What’s Up Newp

Three Rhode Island independent bookstores are relaunching a statewide program that challenges readers to visit every indie bookshop in the state — and rewards those who pull it off.

The Rhode Island Independent Bookstore Passport Adventure, first launched in 2019, returns April 18 and runs through April 26. Passports are free and will be distributed starting April 18 at three anchor locations: Charter Books in Newport, Books on the Square in Providence, and Wakefield Books in Wakefield. Participants then have nine days to visit all 20 stores on the list and collect a stamp at each one. No purchase is required for a stamp.

Completed passports must be returned to one of the three anchor locations by April 26. Everyone who finishes will receive a sheet of twenty 20% off coupons, one valid at each participating store. One grand prize winner will receive twenty $25 gift certificates — one per store — for a total value of $500.

“The RI Independent Bookstore Passport Adventure is an opportunity to celebrate our local indie bookstore scene and encourage our customers to explore the many unique bookshops this state has to offer,” said Jennifer Kandarian, manager at Books on the Square.

The program also coincides with Independent Bookstore Day on April 25, a national celebration organized by the American Booksellers Association. Eleven of the twenty participating stores are ABA members and will offer special events, freebies and discounts that day.

The 20 participating stores span the state, from Westerly to Tiverton:

arc{hive} book + snackery, Warren; Barrington Books, Barrington; Binds and Blooms, Coventry; Book Around, Pawtucket; Books on the Square, Providence; Brown University Bookstore, Providence; Charter Books, Newport; Forget Me Not Fables, North Providence; Heartleaf Books, Providence; Ink Fish Books, Warren; Island Books, Middletown; Little Bubblegum Bookshop, Providence; Martin House Books, Westerly; Map Center, Pawtucket; Paper Nautilus Books, Providence; Riffraff, Providence; Stillwater Books, West Warwick; Symposium Books, Providence; Wakefield Books, Wakefield; Yellow House, Tiverton.

More information is available at booksq.com/passport. Questions can be directed to ribookstorepassport@gmail.com.

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