Walk in Roger Williams's FootstepsAlthough three centuries of changes have altered the landscape of the Providence that Roger Williams knew, places he stood, things he saw, paths he walked on, and the sky above would be familiar to him today. You can stand in is back yard, gaze out over town he founded, paddle in the waterways he sailed, and sense the drama of the struggles in his time. This video is a creative and inspiring look at places Roger knew. Mixed in are words that he read, heard, or wrote himself. And the song, Parson's Farewell, arranged for this video, was a hit at the time. If you're interested in in visiting these locations, scroll down to learn how to discover them on your own journey through Providence. TranscriptAll the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts. – Williams Shakespeare
How far that little candle throws its beams, so shines a good deed in a weary world. - William Shakespeare.
The bay-trees in our country are all withered and meteors fright the fixed stars of heaven;10The pale-faced moon looks bloody on the earth and lean-looked prophets whisper fearful change; rich men look sad and ruffians dance and leap, the one in fear to lose what they enjoy, the other to enjoy by rage and war: These signs forerun the death or fall of kings. – Williams Shakespeare
Whereas Mr. Roger Williams, one of the elders of the church of Salem, hath broached & divulged diverse new & dangerous opinions, against the authority of magistrates and yet mainetaineth the same without retraction, it is therefore ordered, that the said Mr. Williams shall depart out of this jurisdiction not to return any more without license from the Court. – Massachusetts Bay Magistrates
I was sorely tossed one fourteen weeks in a bitter winter season, not knowing what bed nor bread did mean. – Roger Willams I desire not to sleep in security and dream of a nest which no hand can reach. - Roger Williams
Is this the Region, this the Soil, the Clime, that we must change for Heav’n, this mournful gloom Here at least we shall be free; -John Milton
Having made covenant of peaceable neighborhood with all the sachems and natives round about us...I, in grateful remembrance of God's merciful providence unto me in my distress, called the place PROVIDENCE: I desired it might be a shelter for persons distressed of conscience – Roger Williams
the sovereign, original, and foundation of civil power lies in the people. And the people may erect and establish what form of government seems to them most meet for their civil condition; it is evident that such governments that by them erected and established have no more power, nor for no longer time, than the civil power or people consenting and agreeing shall betrust them with. – Roger Williams
It was a dream dreamed a bubble burst; eternity shall pay for all. -Roger Williams
Our revels now are ended. These our actors, as I foretold you, were all spirits and are melted into air, into thin air: and, like the baseless fabric of this vision, he cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces, the solemn temples, the great globe itself, yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve and, like this insubstantial pageant faded, leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep. – William Shakespeare
They looking back, all the' Eastern side beheld of Paradise, so late their happy seat, waved over by that flaming brand, the gate with dreadful Faces thronged and fiery arms: some natural tears they dropped, but wiped them soon; the world was all before them, where to choose their place of rest, and Providence their guide: they hand in hand with wandering steps and slow, through Eden took their solitary way. – John Milton
Visit our keyboard shortcuts docs for details
Explore the Providence of Roger Williams with original music, contemporary quotations, and remarkable arial photography. The Places Featured in the Film, A Dream Dreamed
Neutaconkanut Hill Conservancy, Inc. | Preserve the land of Neutaconkanut Hill for future generations. Coordinates: 41° 48.67' N 71° 27.731' W Parking lot: 675 Plainfield Street, Providence, RI At 296 feet above sea level, Neutaconkanut Hill is the highest point in Providence. In the 1630s, it served as a landmark for the Northwest boundary of Providence. From this point Northeast 7 miles to Pawtucket and Southeast 6 miles to Pawtuxet. At the pinnacle of this hill, you can stand in a spot where, nearly certainly, Roger Williams himself once stood.In the video, you can see Roger’s outstretched hands, each arm pointing along the boundary lines of the original Providence Plantations. "All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts." – Williams Shakespeare, As You Like It (1599)
PawtucketFalls - Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service) Coordinates: 41° 52' 35 N 71° 22' 59 W Parking lot: 67 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI Pawtucket, the Algonquin language word for River Fall, is where the freshwater Blackstone River drops into the salty Seekonk River. Seekonk is the Algonquin language word for black goose. These falls are where a great highway crossed, dividing the lands east and west of the Narragansett Bay. Not surprising, today the bridge over Pawtucket is US-1. In Roger Williams’s time, the falls marked the northern boundary of Providence Plantations. The Eastern boundary was the western bank of these rivers, south about 9 miles to Pawtuxet. Pawtucket to Pawtuxet to Neutaconkanut Hill created the boundaries of the triangle-shaped Providence Plantations. "How far that little candle throws its beams, so shines a good deed in a weary world." - William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice (1597) "The bay-trees in our country are all withered and meteors fright the fixed stars of heaven;10The pale-faced moon looks bloody on the earth and lean-looked prophets whisper fearful change; rich men look sad and ruffians dance and leap, the one in fear to lose what they enjoy, the other to enjoy by rage and war: These signs forerun the death or fall of kings." – Williams Shakespeare, Richard II (1595)
Coordinates: 41°50'19.3"N 71°21'46.4"W Street Parking nearby: 88-90 Roger Williams Ave, Rumford, RI Roger Williams and his followers began a settlement on this spot, the East bank of the Seekonk River in the late winter of 1636. After an incredibly harsh winter and banishment of his home, and the homes of other English people, Wampanoag people took him in. He was fed and housed and then offered a place to build a new community. Although these English settlers had permission from Wampanoag leaders, the English boundary of Plymouth Colony extended to the water’s edge. The governor, William Bradford, asked Roger to leave the territory or face extradition to Massachusetts Bay. Roger complied, and he crossed the Seekonk, into Narragansett lands, and outside of English control. The small marker reminds us of the political complexities of three different nations who all had an interest in the drama that was unfolding in 1636. If you look closely, you can still see a marshy area. Across coastal New England, freshwater springs were the most important feature of New England settlements. "Whereas Mr. Roger Williams, one of the elders of the church of Salem, hath broached & divulged diverse new & dangerous opinions, against the authority of magistrates and yet mainetaineth the same without retraction, it is therefore ordered, that the said Mr. Williams shall depart out of this jurisdiction not to return any more without license from the Court." – Massachusetts Bay Magistrates, October 1635
Coordinates: 41° 49' 25.8276'' N, 71° 23' 6.1152'' W City of Providence Crook Point Bascule Bridge - City of Providence Parking: Gano Park Boat Launch, 81-99 E Transit St, Providence, RI 02906 This engineering feat crosses the Seekonk River at the watery route Roger Williams would have taken to land at What Cheer Rock/Roger Williams Landing Site in the summer of 1636. This important waterway separated Wampanoag from Narragansett territory as well as separated Plymouth Colony and Providence Plantations. This was also the boundary of Rhode Island and Massachusetts until 1862. When Roger arrived on the west bank, he was greeted by Narragansett people who, the story goes, greeted him with the words, “What cheere, netop?” How are you, friend?
Slate Rock, The Landing Place of Roger Williams – The Rhode Island Historical Society Coordinates: 41° 49' 24.492" N,71° 23' 26.0628" W Street Parking: 136 Gano Street In 1636, here was the west bank of the Seekonk River. At this spot was a large rock that stood out along this entire shoreline that could be clearly seen from across the water, making it an ideal landing spot that was used for many centuries. When Roger Williams was asked to leave the Plymouth Colony by William Bradford, he landed at this spot and was greeted by Narragansett people with the expression, “What cheere, netop?” or “how are you, friend?” Although this phrase has entered the mythology of Rhode Island history, the political significance of this moment cannot be understated. Narragansett leaders knew of Roger Williams. They knew that he was a friend of the Wampanoag nation and had been exiled by two different English colonies. Welcoming this person onto their land made a powerful statement. Greeting him as a friend was a savvy political maneuver that was certainly understood by all sides. Once again, a Native American nation was using their sovereignty to save his life. "I was sorely tossed one fourteen weeks in a bitter winter season, not knowing what bed nor bread did mean." – Roger Willams, Letter to John Winthrop about his 1635 Banishment (1670)
India Point Park
195 District Park | Waterfront Park Coordinates: 41°49'15.1"N 71°24'24.3"W Street Parking nearby: 195 District Park, Providence, RI The center of Providence’s thriving “Downcity,” 195 District Park is a great place to explore. Along the banks of the Providence River, you can walk along the water’s edge, across the pedestrian bridge, and enjoy being surrounded by multiple world-famous universities, shopping areas, restaurants, and festivals. "Is this the Region, this the Soil, the Clime, that we must change for Heav’n, this mournful gloom for that celestial light? Farewell happy fields where Joy forever dwells: Hail horrors, hail Infernal world, receive thy new Possessor: One who brings a mind not to be changed by Place or Time.The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a Heav’n of Hell, a Hell of Heav’n. Here at least we shall be free." -John Milton, Paradise Lost (1667)
Roger Williams National Memorial (U.S. National Park Service) Coordinates: 41°49'51.0"N 71°24'39.9"W Parking: 282 North Main Street, Providence, RI Roger Williams National Memorial celebrates Roger Williams and his contributions to the establishment of separation of church and state, a foundational principle of freedom in the United States of America.The National Memorial was established by Congress in 1965. It is a 4.5 acre green space in Providence, Rhode Island. The beautifully landscaped and manicured grounds honor the life and legacy of the one of the 17th century's most influential people.The visitor center offers exhibits, ranger programs, a short video, restrooms, and water fountains. Check the operating hours for more information on planning your visit.The Parking Lot is free, however, it is only for visitors actively on the grounds and has a 2 hour limit. "Having made covenant of peaceable neighborhood with all the sachems and natives round about us...I, in grateful remembrance of God's merciful providence unto me in my distress, called the place PROVIDENCE: I desired it might be a shelter for persons distressed of conscience" -Roger Williams,
Roger Williams, Religious Freedom, and a Jewish Legacy (U.S. National Park Service) Coordinates: 41°49'50.2"N 71°24'37.6"W Parking: 282 North Main Street, Providence, RI This is the place where, in 1626, Roger Williams founded Providence. “I desired it might be a shelter for persons distressed of conscience,” he wrote. From this spot flowed a spring of abundant fresh water that could support hundreds of inhabitants. As the town formed, the spring became the primary meeting point for public meetings. It has been suggested that the first democratic practices occurred here at the spring, where voting members of the community were required to meet every 14 days. In the early 1900s, the formal garden and symbolic well were build in honor of the ingenuity, bravery, and integrity of those first settlers. Today, it is named after Isaac Hahn, the first person of Jewish faith elected to public office in Rhode Island.
prospect-park - Roger Williams National Memorial (U.S. National Park Service) Coordinates: 41°49'02.4"N 71°23'25.7"W Street Parking: 60 Congdon Street, Providence, RI Roger and Mary Williams’s house was just downhill from this spot. Today, their final remains rest under the stone archway, after being reinterred here in 1939. Prospect terrace, once their back yard, is now a wonderful spot to pay your respects to Roger Williams, have a picnic, and watch the sunset over Rhode Island. ". . . the sovereign, original, and foundation of civil power lies in the people. And the people may erect and establish what form of government seems to them most meet for their civil condition; it is evident that such governments that by them erected and established have no more power, nor for no longer time, than the civil power or people consenting and agreeing shall betrust them with." – Roger Williams, The Boudy Tenet of Persecution (1642) "It is a dream dreamed a bubble burst; eternity shall pay for all." -Roger Williams
WaterFire Providence - WaterFire Providence Coordinates of Waterplace Park: 41°49'37.6"N 71°24'49.3"W Waterfire is a live performance consisting of music, performers, boats, sculpture, and over 100 bonfires along the waterways of downcity Providence. Check the website and schedule for more information. "Our revels now are ended. These our actors, as I foretold you, were all spirits and are melted into air, into thin air: and, like the baseless fabric of this vision, he cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces, the solemn temples, the great globe itself, yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve and, like this insubstantial pageant faded, leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep." – William Shakespeare, The Tempest (1611) "They looking back, all the' Eastern side beheld of Paradise, so late their happy seat, waved over by that flaming brand, the gate with dreadful Faces thronged and fiery arms: some natural tears they dropped, but wiped them soon; the world was all before them, where to choose their place of rest, and Providence their guide: they hand in hand with wandering steps and slow, through Eden took their solitary way." -- John Milton, Paradise Lost (1667) Check Out More of Our Videos Here:
|
Last updated: May 6, 2025