Note: In order to advance the Association's quest to involve our youth, the Association
will pay the admission fee for children 12 years and under to any of the following events.
Due to COVID-19, all meetings are tentative and may be subject to cancellation. Please check this website for updates.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 - 1:00 PM
TOUR OF VARNUM ARMORY
The Varnum Armory, built by the Varnum Continentals in 1913, is a medieval-style redbrick building housing a military history and weaponry collection. Following the tour, we will meet at the nearby Chelo's Waterfront for lunch. Directions to the restaurant will be handed out after the tour.
RSVP by September 17th to rihistorybuff@gmail.com or 401-330-0314.
GPS: Varnum Armory, 6 Main St, East Greenwich, RI 02818. Directions: From Providence, take I-95 S; keep left at fork to RI-4 S; take Exit 8 to RI-401; right onto RI-401 E; left onto Division St; right onto US-1 S. Armory is on the left.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2022 - 1:00 PM
BIENNIAL TRIP TO MARGARET'S ROCK
Following his banishment from Salem in January 1636, and suffering from illness, Roger Williams headed to Sowams (now Warren) where Margaret, a Wampanoag medicine woman, nursed him back to health in a lean-to shelter at Massasoit's winter camp. This is the only remaining abode in the Providence area whose walls Roger actually touched. A hike of approx. 500 yards is required. Bring a folding chair and packed lunch for a brief meeting afterwards.
RSVP by October 8th to rihistorybuff@gmail.com or 401-330-0314.
Directions: From Providence, take I-195 toward Swansea and Fall River; take the Rt. 136 exit and travel south 1.7 miles; after crossing into RI, turn left onto Birch Swamp Rd; continue for 0.3 miles where road takes a 90 degree turn, and go straight onto the dirt road (sign "Windswept Farm"; DO NOT turn right into the drive to the Old Chase Farm). We will assemble on this dirt road, drive to within several hundred yards, and hike up to the rock from there.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2022 - 11:00 AM
FOUNDER'S DAY SERVICE AT FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
Join us for this special service dedicated to the memories of all those that came to Providence with Roger Williams in 1636. Afterwards, we will proceed to Roger Williams Park to join in the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the park. We will gather at the park's famous Casino where luncheon will be provided. Directions to Roger Williams Park Casino will be provided at the church. See President's letter for more information.
RSVP by October 23rd to rihistorybuff@gmail.com or 401-330-0314.
GPS: First Baptist Church, 75 North Main St, Providence, RI. Directions: From I-95 take Exit 22A, following the signs to Downtown/Memorial Blvd; follow Memorial Blvd to the river; then left onto Washington St. The church is visible directly ahead at the corner of North Main and Waterman Sts. Parking can be difficult, so plan travel time accordingly.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2022 - 1:00 PM
PRESENTATION AT SMITH'S CASTLE
Local historical interpreter, Estelle Barada, will give a first-person narrative of an enslaved woman named Phyllis who worked in the kitchen on the Hazard plantation in North Kingstown, and who some credit with the creation of johnnycakes. We will then gather at Richard's Pub for lunch. Directions to the restaurant will be provided at the presentation.
RSVP by November 12th to rihistorybuff@gmail.com or 401-330-0314.
GPS: Smith's Castle, 55 Richard Smith Drive, North Kingstown, RI 02852. Directions: From Providence, take I-95 South; merge left onto RI-4S toward No Kingstown; take Exit 7B-A toward Quonset RI-403; keep right onto RI-403E to Quonset; take exit toward US-1 Post Rd; keep right on Post Rd toward Wickford Village; turn left on Richard Smith Dr.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2022 - 2:30 PM
WILLIAMS FAMILY HOLIDAY GATHERING
Dr. Clifford Brown and his wife, Marilyn Brownell, will host the holiday festivities this year at the Chepachet Baptist Church, to include a musical program and carols sing-along. After a brief business meeting, the group will enjoy a Victorian style tea. Goodies to share are greatly appreciated.
RSVP by December 3rd to rihistorybuff@gmail.com or 401-330-0314.
GPS: Chepachet Baptist Church, 1213 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, RI 02814. Directions: From I-295, exit to US-44 W; proceed through Greenville into Glocester (as you enter Chepachet Village, US-44 merges with US-102); proceed on US-44 through Chepachet Village to the roundabout, following signs to continue on US-44 W. The church is about 200 feet beyond the roundabout on the right.
SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 2023 - 11:00 AM
WHYDAH PIRATE MUSEUM
We will learn about Captain Sam Bellamy, a pirate whose ship, the Whydah, crashed on the shores of Cape Cod during a hurricane. Those that survived the wreck were charged with piracy and executed. Over the years many artifacts from the crash have been recovered and are on display at the museum. A forty-five minute program will be followed by a self-guided tour. Admission: $17.00, Seniors: $15.00. Luncheon will follow at nearby Captain Parker's Pub.
RSVP by April 8th to rihistorybuff@gmail.com or 401-330-0314.
GPS: Whydah Pirate Museum, 674 MA-28, West Yarmouth, MA 02673. Directions: From Providence, take I-195 E, to Bourne; continue to US-6 E, following US-6 E to Willow St in Yarmouth; take Exit 72; take Higgins Crowell Rd to Main St; left to museum.
SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2023 - 1:00 PM
TOUR OF GILBERT STUART BIRTHPLACE & MUSEUM
We will tour the site where famous portrait painter, Gilbert Stuart, was born and raised at the snuff mill his father ran. Stuart painted the portraits of the first six presidents, the more famous one of George Washington having been used on the one dollar bill for over one hundred years. Admission: Adults $12.00. We will then gather at Richard's Pub for lunch. Directions to the pub will be given at the meeting.
RSVP by May 13th to rihistorybuff@gmail.com or 401-330-0314.
GPS: Gilbert Stuart Birthplace & Museum, 815 Gilbert Stuart Rd, Saunderstown, RI 02874. Directions: From Providence, take I-95 S; merge left onto RI-4S toward No Kingstown, picking up US-1 S in No Kingstown; continue on US-1 S approx. 6 miles (you will pass Gilbert Stuart Rd); make a legal U-turn onto S-1 N to head back to Gilbert Stuart Rd access; turn right onto Gilbert Stuart Rd; destination is on your left.
SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2023 - 11:00 AM
FORT ADAMS PARK TO ROSE ISLAND BOAT TOUR
We will meet at Fort Adams in Newport at the south dock and board for a boat trip over to Rose Island. Captain David McCurdy will guide us on our journey and relate the history of the Rose Island lighthouse. Bring a picnic lunch to be enjoyed on the island. Cost is $15.00 per person. Reserve early - space is limited!
RSVP no later than June 3rd to rihistorybuff@gmail.com or 401-330-0314.
GPS: Fort Adams State Park, 80 Fort Adams Dr, Newport, RI 02840. Directions: From Providence, take I-195 E toward E Providence/Cape Cod; take Exit 14A to merge onto Rte 24 S toward Tiverton/Newport; Rte 24 becomes W Main Rd; turn left onto Valley Rd; continue onto Aquidneck Ave; turn left onto Bellevue Ave; turn right onto Ruggles Ave; turn left onto Brenton Rd; turn right onto Ft Adams Dr; turn left onto Monroe Rd; destination is on your left.