PROVIDENCE

Providence is New England’s second largest city and the southern anchor of the Blackstone Valley. The merchants of Providence provided much of the funding to build the textile mills of the Blackstone Valley, and the ships to transport the finished cloth around the world.

With the advent of steam power, Providence became a manufacturing center itself, especially in the machine and tool trades and in the jewelry industry. Providence is also the State Capital and education and cultural center of Rhode Island.

Roger Williams National Memorial
This NPS unit, located on the site of Roger Williams’ original Providence settlement, celebrates our Freedom of Religion as set forth in the First Amendment of the Constitution. Open Daily 9-4:30.

282 North Main Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 521-7266
www.nps.gov/rowi

First Baptist Church in America
Fantastic 1775 Church houses the First Baptist Congregation in America, which was established by Roger Williams in 1638. Open Jun-Sep: Mon-Fri, 10 –12 & 1-4; Sat 10-2. Oct-May: Mon-Fri 10-12 & 1-3.

75 North Main Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 454-3418
www.fbcia.org

State House
The seat of government for the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations contains several treasures, including the original Royal Charter of 1663. The fourth largest self-supported dome in the world caps this striking white marble building. Open M-F 8:30 –4:30.

82 Smith Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-2357
www.sec.state.ri.us/pubinfo/Tours/tours.html

Benefit Street
The very heart of historic Providence is the “Mile of History” along Benefit Street. Lined with a magnificent collection of 18th- and 19th-century homes, built with the wealth earned by the city’s merchant traders, Benefit Street is a highlight of the city. Sites include the Providence Athenaeum, the 1786 John Brown House and the Old State House.

Providence, RI

John Brown House
Described by John Adams as “the most magnificent and elegant mansion I have ever seen on this continent.” John Brown made his fortune as a merchant trader, and later proposed the building of the Blackstone Canal. Built in 1786, this palatial mansion has been meticulously restored as a house museum featuring some of the finest examples of Rhode Island furniture and decorative arts. Open Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 12-4.

52 Power Street
Providence, RI 02906
(401) 331-8575
www.rihs.org

Waterplace Park and River Walk
A four-acre park in the heart of Providence, signage along the River Walk tells of the city’s rise from colonial settlement to the modern day and the changes of the Providence riverfront. Several times a year, this becomes the site of the spectacular “Waterfire” exhibition.

Providence, RI
www.waterfire.org

Rhode Island School of Design
An institution of art and design with a worldwide reputation. Their collection includes 80,000 works, dating from ancient Greece and China through the modern day. The Pendleton House highlights American furniture and decorative arts of the 18th and 19th century. Main gallery is open Tue-Sun 10-5.

224 Benefit Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 454-6348
www.risd.edu/museum.cfm

Brown University
Established in Providence in 1773, Brown is one of the nation’s premier universities. Today the campus is home to several galleries and libraries open to the public. Campus tours Mon-Fri 10, 11, 1, 3 & 4. Sat. 10, 11, & 12.

164 Angell Street
Providence, RI 02912
(401) 863-1000.
www.brown.edu

India Point Park This shoreline park is built over site of former Indiamen docks, where ships left Providence to trade the produce of the Blackstone Valley to China, India and the rest of the world. See the mouth of Blackstone River as it empties into the Providence River and on into Narragansett Bay. India Street Providence, RI