Your Guide To
2.5 Miles of
History That
Created America
Providence
Welcome to America’s most historic city
A Lively Experiment is how King Charles of
England described the wild ideas taking hold in
the wilderness of New England.
Ideas about freedom of concsience, freedom
of religion, separation of church and state and
respect for minorities.
These profound ideas were given a permantent
home when Roger Williams founded
Providence nearly 4 centuries ago.
Providence is stilll as lively with tremendous
history, exciting culture, gorgeous architecture
and fascinating folklore.
As you follow the Independence Trail you will
follow the trail of Independence in the world.
The past four hundred years have not always
been pretty but they sure have been fun - we are
happy you are here to join the party.
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Welcome to our “lively experiment”!
Free Phone Tour 401-441-6401
Location
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1 RI Convention Center . The Dunk
RICC - It was once a run down bus station and
then the Providence Rennaissance came and it
became a sparkling convention center. Across
the street where the Omni Hotel rises gracefully
there was a huge earthen berm fifteen feet high
and a mile wide- so large it was called the Chinese
wall after the Great Wall of China. On top of that
were railroad tracks with freight cars and diesel
locomotives belching fumes. Not a pretty site. It
is hard to even imagine - but all that glitters around
you today was very different not so long ago.
The Dunk - Rhode Islanders drink and consume
more coffee and coffee products that anyone
on earth - how fitting that our Civic Center
next to RICC is named for Dunkin Donuts.
Be sure to
drink some coffee milk
during your visit - it is a favorite here made by
adding sweetened coffee syrup to cold milk.
2 911 Memorial . Projo
This is the only spot on the Trail where you can
go in three directions. There is a short spur
to the front door of the Convention Center.
Otherwise cross the street to continue the tour.
Wall of Hope 9-11 Memorial The colorful
mosaic on the wall of the Providence Journal
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is part of the Wall of Hope (Hope is the state
motto.) After 9-11 it was created by over 10,000
people. More tiles are displayed at Waterplace.
Providence Journal the state’s largest newspaper
nicknamed the ProJo was
first published
in 1829 and is the oldest continuously
published daily newspaper in the
nation.
Let’s just say that writing about “Rogues Island” is
a little like dying and going to journalism heaven.
3 Biltmore Hotel -Station Park -Avis
AVIS for decades the little red and white pie shaped
building has been home to those who try harder.
Station Park (because it is where the train station
use-to-be.) Across Dorrance Street there is a
man with a gun in the park - fortunately he is a
statue erected to encourage volunteers to enlist .
Biltmore Hotel The giant 3 story tall letters on the
roof are a familiar beacon to all. Be sure to step
inside to see the gilded lobby. The best views in
the city are from its rooftop ballroom. For 90 years
generations of Rhode Islanders have celebrated
in its Grand Ballroom it was almost torn down
in the 1970’s but now under new ownership the
Grand Dame is getting the love she so deserves.
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4 City Hall - Kennedy Plaza JFK- You are just a few feet from the spot on the City
Hall steps where John F. Kennedy gave his final
campaign speech on his way home to Cape Cod.
He quoted Abraham Lincoln who spoke
here 100 years earlier. Of course no one
knew at the time he would be assassinated
and never campaign for President again.
City Hall - If the walls of City Hall could talk what
tales they would tell. Political machines, scandal,
intrigue set in a magnificent soaring interior of
elegant gilded balconies tells the story of America as
waves of immigrants grabbed the levers of power.
Buddy - No tour of Providence could be
complete without mention of former Mayor
Vincent A. Cianci, Jr. known to all by the single
name He served over two decades as Mayor
and then 64 months in a federal penitentiary.
No he is a popular talk radio host and eligible
to run for office again in 2014. Books have
been written about his exploits - we do not have
space enough here - but ask any one you meet
in Providence they will tell you a Buddy story.
Havens Brother Diner - America’s original food
truck since 1885- once a horse drawn cart now a
tractor trailer the “Aluminum Room” arrives at
sunset and departs at sunrise feeding the denizens
of downtown. Try the hot dog “all the way”,
washed down with coffee milk and sweet dreams.
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5 Civil War Memorial - Ice Rink
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial - The Civil
War was fought by sword, cannon, ships
and rifles as you can tell by looking at the
soldiers and sailor flanking our Civil War
memorial. Several heroic units including our
famous Black Regiment fought for the Union.
Bank of America Skating Rink - strap on some
skates and get out on the ice to experience
New England winter at its best. This rink also
runs lots of warm weather activities - concerts,
festivals and even roller derby on occasion.
6 Banjnotti Fountain
She struggles to be free and this fountain has
rained down millions of tears since Paul
Banjnotti comissioned it in memory of his
wife who died too young - the daughter of
Nicholas Brown of Brown University fame.
Burnside Park The bow of the ship emerging from
the ground is the Hannah. It was Captained
by Benjamin Lindsey who tricked the
Commander of a British ship the Gaspee
into running agound on a June afternoon.
Later Providence colonists rowed nearly 7
miles down Narragansett bay and attacked
taking the first shot in the fight for
American Independence - Huzzah! Huzzah!
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7 Burnside’s Sideburns
The fact that
for inventing
everything you
Civil War
Burnside on
words that would have keep him
serving as Mayor - “Write me in.”
he is remembered
9 Turks Head
sideburns tells you
want to know about Financial Plaza - Five stories below
General Ambrose the beautiful Howard Ben Tre
his high horse. fountain is one of the most secure
vaults in the world - at one time not
8 Lincoln Memorial
long ago Providence was know as
President Lincoln - His political the “Jewelry Capital of the world”.
fortunes took a turn for the better Tons of gold, silver and platnum
the night he gave the famed Cooper were needed. Individual jewlry
Union Address in New York factories lacked the need security
-so Abraham Lincoln must have so it was stored here. Supposedly
been pretty happy the next night armored cars brimming with bullion
when he took the train from New were lowered in a secure elevator
York to Providence and spoke down nearly five stories to a central
on a cold February night where vault that was very secret. So secret
“the train station
used-to-be”. that if you ask about it even today
Historians credit this tour with security will deny its existence.
galvanizing support that would They also deny there ever was a
later enable him to become the heist - like Oceans 11- We would
Republican nominee for President. love to tell you more but if we did
Notice that he is clean shaven on his then we would have to kill you.
bronze memorial on our courthouse. Turks Head - Staring down on you
Lincoln was on his way to visit his is a very fierce face - that is a face
son Robert who was at school. only a mother could love. The
Federal Court - In Rhode Island stony stare from the third story of
“I’ve been away” means state the Turks Head has frightened
prison. “I’ve been out of state” many a visitor. The first trading
means you did
federal time post on this side of the river was
because although we have a federal marked by the carved head of a
courthouse we do not have a federal Turk taken from a ship. In 1913 this
penitentiary.
Major
oversight. was the tallest building in the city .
Over the years everyone from Hurricane Warning - the bronze
mafia dons to public officials have markers across the plaza where
met their fate in these courtrooms. “Amica
Insurance
used-toSome believe that if Mayor Buddy be” show the water levels the
Cianci had been exonerated in this hurricanse of 1938 and 1954
building he would have said three reached. Would you have survived?
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10 100 Westminster
Usually odd and even numbers are on opposite
sides of a street but here 100 Westminster
crossed the street and sits next to 111
Westminster which is popularly known as the
“Superman Building “. Superman was “able to
leap tall buildings in a single bound” and they
thought this looked like the building shown
in his television show - it was another building.
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11 The Arcade
The oldest shopping mall in America built in
1828. The southern end looks very different
perhaps owing to a difference in opinion
between the architects as to the most classical
look for the roof line. Did they really settle the
argument like children in a sandbox - you do
one end I’ll do the other - we will never know.
12 Roger Williams & Canonicus
Daniel Chester French is the American
Michelangelo.
He sculpted The Lincoln
Memorial in Washington DC and the Minute
Man among many other famous statues and
memorials. The beautiful life-sized work over
the door of 60 Dorrance Street. depicts Roger
Williams and Indian Sachem Cannonicus who
greeated him in peace when he founded Rhode
Island in 1636. Roger holds a book - he wrote a
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translation of the Indian Languages. The Sachem
cradles a peace pipe but true to history they face
in different directions. It is said that Rhode Island
is so small because while other states claimed
vast Indian holdings our founder would only
claim what he could buy and he did not have
much money so we became the smallest state.
13 Gaebe Commons . PPAC
There are so many Dunkin Donuts in Rhode
Island the joke is that people say at the first
Dunkin donuts turn left, go straight at the second
Dunkin Donuts and turn right at the third. Ha
ha. Funny except that less than two blocks from
here is another Dunkin Donuts. Regular means
with cream and sugar it is not a size and Extra
Extra is double sugar double cream – yum.
The black building across the street is the
Johnson and Wales university library. It once
was a television station. Further up the street
on the campus green is a fantastic looking clock
tower. It turns out that the clock tower used-to
be on the roof of the television station and was
there for antennas and dishes. If the university
is 100 years old. The campus is where the
Outlet used-to be - a gigantic department store
with the talking Christmas tree that fascinated
rhode islanders until the building burned down
in a spectacular fire. The narrowest buildings
in propensities directly across the street the testy
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14 The Arcade
The south façade of the arcade is completely
different from the north façade. Perhaps as the
result of an argument between the two architects.
The building is undergoing a transition one
of the many that has occurred in its life which
started in 1828. If the building is open be sure
to go in and gaze at the magnificent architecture
especially the 200 foot long glass roof.
15 The Custom House
Looking at Weybosset street from here you
can see it makes a hard btend and then swings
off in the other direction. From ancient times
Native Americans walked the Pequot Path. It
was the interstate highway of the Indian nation.
The path swerved to go around a huge sand
dune. Through all the upgrades to a city street
no one ever decided to straighten the road.
The lone façade held up by steel girders puzzles
everyone. Preservationists worked to save the
façade which was going to be part of a new 40
story building. During the economic collapse
the project stopped. The façade remains and
eventually will become part of a new building.
The culture of preservation in providence
has saved thousands of buildings even if
sometimes it looks a little odd in the process.
16 Pot au Feu
The historic Wilcox building houses the Pot au Feu
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restaurant which in the interest of full disclosure is
owned by the founder of the Independence Trail.
It was a favorite of Julia child and is worth a visit.
Looking up to the top of the Industrial Trust
which it is the old classic looking skyscraper.
For a long time people was the building used in
the Superman television show. Remember that
Superman could leap tall buildings in a single
bound. Just below the large light to the right you
can see a railing. Next to that he is a gray box
like room with windows. That is believed to be
a blimp station. It was planned that zeppelin’s
would carry people from city to city and dock at
skyscrapers. That never came to pass the because
the Hindenburg zeppelin exploded in flames
ending the era of zeppelin travel. The blimp
station was designed for passengers waiting for
the next blimp to arrive. Could be a long wait.
Next to the blimp station you can see a tiny
falcons nest. The falcons had dozens of hungry
young fledglings over the years. That explains
why you see so few pigeons in Providence.
Listen for their distinctive call. You may even
see one make a spectacular dive and capture
another bird in midair. The most likely place
to spot one is on the corner of a roof where
they like to perch and search the sky for prey.
Don’t just tour history
Dine in it.
America’s
Oldest
French Bistro
• Fresh New England
Seafood
•Great Steaks
• French Specialties
Dinner 7 nights a week
44 Custom House Street Providence
401.273.8953 • potaufeuri.com
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17 Memorial Boulavard
Looking down Custom House Street
you can see an enormous dome on
top of the custom house. The very
top of the dome is enclosed in glass
which enabled customs agents to
watch over the entire harbor and get
down to collect fees and tariffs on
the docks before any goods could
be unloaded from the many ships
arriving from around the world. The
parking lot next to the building was
once known as Long Wharf and ships
docked here. Later it was filled in.
18 Irish Famine Memorial
This is the entrance to the Irish Famine
memorial. Rhode Island’s history is
the history of immigration. Today
people of Irish ancestry account for
about one fifth of the state’s population.
The Irish go back and forth with
Italians for the title of largest ethnic
group in the state. The memorial is a
somber tribute. The account of the
coffin ships is especially interesting.
19 WaterFire
Artist Barnaby Evans has burned
bonfires on the river in a now world
famous art event that began in
1994. A magnificent combination
of fire, water, music and community
WaterFire is a must-see signature
event. www.waterfire.org for schedule.
At one time we were crazy enough
to completely cover the river over
with a parking bridge. During the
Providence renaissance the rivers
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were reopened and the old bridge
piers now hold braziers that burn
bonfires during Waterfire.Looking
down river you can see the remains of
Interstate 195 which was relocated to
the blue bridge in the distance. The
large tracts of land opened up by the
relocation are now being redeveloped.
20 The Gaspee Memorial
If you had been standing here on
this waterfront on the night of June
9, 1772 you would have witnessed a
large group of colonists climbing into
longboats getting ready to row almost
7 miles down the bay in the darkness.
Their mission was to attack a stranded
British ship. The Gaspee had been
harassing colonists out on Narragansett
Bay in the name of the King of
England. Having had enough over
60 Providence colonists surrounded
the Gaspee. They called the captain
William Dudingston on deck and
shot him. The raiders took the sailors
captive and then destroyed the Gaspee
by burning it to the waterline. And
of course this being Rhode Island
Dudingston had been shot in the groin
- he survived but may have wished
that he had not. The first shot in the
fight for independence had been fired,
the first blood drawn. It would take
Bostonians 18 months to throw tea not
belonging to the King into the harbor.
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church steeple on the hill you may be
lucky enough to hear it’s bell ringing.
The granite memorial at this spot The bell is the largest and heaviest bell
commemorates the Sons of Liberty ever cast by Paul Revere’s foundry.
who attacked the British ship the
Gaspee on the night of June 9, 1772. 23 Old Stone Bank
This is the spot where the Sabin Across the street is the Old Stone
Tavern used to be. Back then most Bank. Back before the FDIC banks
people did not have offices they competed by showing off how wealthy
conducted business in taverns and and solid they were. The bankers at
coffeehouses - like Starbucks today. Old Stone decided that rubbing gold
The town crier had been sent out earlier all over their roof was a good way to do
in the day when it was learned the that. Imagine going to work and saying
Gaspee had run aground on a sandbar to your boss - “Let’s rub gold all over
in Narragansett Bay while chasing our building to show how rich we are.”
the Providence ship – “Hannah”.
Just up the hill at the top of Planet 24 Washington Slept Here
Street is the home of the John Brown Take a walk up Hopkins Street to the
one of the best known of Providence’s little red house and you will finally be
early colonists. His house is now home at a place “where George Washington
to the Rhode Island Historical Society slept”. Stephen Hopkins, his host
and is well worth a visit and tour. was one of the few signers of both
Brown and his fellow colonists the Declaration of Independence
debated in the tavern. Should they and the US Constitution. One of
use this opportunity to attack the Washington’s most important visits
British empire?
No doubt they came less than a month before we
drank up a good deal of Rhode declared Independence on May
Island courage, Providence was 4, 1776 before any of the other
home to many rum distilleries. colonies. Since they were plotting
Eventually they decided to make the treason the details are secret but
attack before the rising tide the freed Washington must have been
the Gaspee. The first shot in the spinning with revolutionary dreams
Revolution would be fired that night. when he put his head on the pillow.
When we hear that Boston was the first
shot we say “Just a minute, man.” The 25 Memorial Park
history books were written in Boston Memorial Park contains our World
but now you know the true story, War I and World War II memorials
taking the bunk out of Bunker Hill. along with the Korean War and a
memorial to Verrazano who explored
22 Paul Revere’s Bell
here in 1524 not long after Columbus
Looking up to the beautiful colonial in 1492. Across the street is our
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INDEPENDENCE TRAIL
PUBLISHING RATES
HISTORY
ARCHITECTURE
C U LT U R E
FOLKLORE
Just 50 miles from your door – Boston’s Freedom Trail attracts 3.2 million visitors annually and is credited with producing over $1 billion in economic activity.
So why not us?
That’s what we asked and in response created the Independence Trail a 2.5
mile tour that tells the story of more than 4 centuries of our history, architecture,
culture and folklore.
Your Guide To
2.5 Miles of
History That
Created America
The Independent Man ~ R.I. State House
Photo Credit: Richard Benjamin
PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND
Currently the stories are delivered via a free cell phone audio tour at stops
along the Green Line that is painted on our sidewalks. Users love it and are
asking for more so now we are expanding by publishing a printed Guide to the
Independence Trail.
It is a full color guide with maps that will lead even more visitors to your door.
Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door – The Independence Trail Guide is the way to bring the world to your door.
If we don’t hang together we shall surely hang separately - It is time to join
forces and promote a more prosperous Providence together.
IndependendenceTrails.com #
IndependendenceTrails.com #
IndependendenceTrails.com #
Full Page Inside Cover: 5.5”x 8.625”
Full Page Inside Back Cover: 5.5”x 8.625”
Full Page Back Cover: 5.5”x 8.625”
Full Page: 4.75”x 7.625”
Half Page
Call to make an
Vertical: 2.312”x 7.378”
appointment with
Horizontal: 4.75”x 3.625”
Julie Nahas
Quater Page: 2.312”x 3.625”
for pricing.
Map Quadrant: 1”x1”
401-621-5700
Listing:
Title: 21 characters
Text: 75 characters
IndependendenceTrails.com #
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too steep for trolleys and busses.
Just up the hill is RISD “Beach”
Conspiracy theorists will find this a small patch of grass that attracts
a very interesting site. The Market hundreds of sun bathing students
House used to be two stories and was as soon as it gets warm every spring.
our town hall. A third story was added
to become a Masonic Temple. Look
at the bronze plaque and see that the
First Order of the Knights Templar in 29 First Baptist Church
North America made it home here. The First Baptist Church sign is
Boston was not the only Tea seen all over the world but this is
Party. Check out the wall plaque the First - First Baptist Church –
commemorating
the
night founded by Roger Williams in 1638
Providence
colonists
conspired – he quit a few years later because his
to defy the throne and burn tea religious beliefs had undergone some
in protest on March 5, 1776. changes – that is why he insisted that
tolerance in religious concernments
was so essential to individuals.
Over the years many church steeples
27 RISD Museum
were blown over in hurricanes
The RISD Museum is one of the most but never this one – it was built by
amazing small museums in the nation. the shipbuilders of Boston who
Here you are at the epicenter of the were out of work when the British
RISD campus surrounded by studios, blockaded the harbor – they always
museum, galleries, art stores and had the power of storms in mind
dorms. With beautiful permanent so this steeple has withstood every
collections and many exhibits and hurricane and blizzard since 1774.
shows it is a treasure trove of art. The
original historic wing has a European
feel and the new modern wing – The
Chace Center is as hip as it gets – just 30 Watch Your Step!
ask any of the art students tromping The big concrete abutment used
through here carrying projects on to hold up the massive railroad
their way to classes and studio. tracks that used to be here.
Across the street is a front door on
the second story of a building – that
28 Double Barreled Tunnels
is because it was easier to raise the
The double barreled tunnels are building to add another floor than
our bus tunnel. College Hill once to cut all new rafters by hand when
had a cable car but in 1914 the raising the roof. Watch your step!
city bored a tunnel because it was
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31 Roger Williams Memorial
Gateway to the Roger Williams Memorial.
Of course the smallest state would have one
of the nation’s smallest national memorials
– but it is huge in importance – this is where
freedom of religion was established in America.
Most importantly we have real US Park
Rangers just like Yellowstone and Yosemite.
32 Providence Preservation Society
The red building across the street is home to
the Providence Preservation Society which
is responsible for having saved the historic
buildings of Providence. In warmer seasons
it gardens are a perfect spot for a picnic
purchased at Geoff’s just up on Benefit Street.
The One Room Schoolhouse has a great
history and was used for early classes by
Brown University and was home to an early
school to educate African American students.
Next to the firehouse is a memorial to the
first responders who went to the world
trade center on the day of the 9-11 attack.
33 Armory
Although the Independence Trail turns a
corner here you can continue up meeting street
to the best of you in the entire city. Kleinman
the oddly placed stone staircase at D island
of meeting street. Turn left on to Congdon
street and in one block you will find prospect
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terrace which has a beautiful memorial to roger
Williams and expansive view of the entire city.
This is Benefit Street Providence’s Mile of
Historic Homes that went from being some of
the worse slums in the city to its toniest address.
So exclusive that residents did not want the Trail
on its sidewalks. So enjoy the few blocks of
green line up here and feel free to explore the
entire street it really is the nations best collection
of historic homes dating back to the founding.
34 The Old State House
The Old State House give you tha chance to visit
the room where Colonists first broke allegiance
with England. (no there is not a transporter to
Philadelphia) Imagine being asked to agree
to never say our Plsdge of Alligence again.
On May 4, 1776 the Colonial Assembly of
Rhode Island did just that voting to not pledge
alligence to the King. It was like burning the flag.
A mighty stroke for independence and
two months later the rest of the colonies
not doubt inspired by Rhode Island
signed the Declaration of Independence.
35 Olde Providence
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church and state so he decreed that
in Providence they would be separate
and its been that way every since.
You are now in the oldest settlement of The Founding Fahters incorporated
Providence. The original plots of land his ideas when the founded the United
granted to the early settlers by Roger States a hundred and fifty years later
Williams we very narrow and thin
running from the cove (now a canal) on
the other side of the Roger Williams
Memorial all the way up College 38 Headquaters & Graveyard
Hill. That gave each settler access The way Roger escaped from
to the water, shoreline and fishing. freedom’s Neanderthals back in
Rhode Island’s Constituton still Boston was by coming on Indian lands
guarantees the right of every beyond the reach of the Massachusetts
citizen to go to the shore to collect authorities.
He was welcomed
seaweed. (It was a valued fertilizer). by the Sachem Conanicus of the
Imagine dreaming of being a US Narragansett Tribe which is still an
Park Ranger riding the range on important part of Rhode to this day.
horseback and the being assigned to To be fair Massachusetts did finally
ride a (John) Deere tractor cutting rescind the conviction – after 300
grass in Providence instead. The years the legislature voted to drop the
good news is that our troop of charges and reverse the conviction –
rangers are the best there are and land of the free, home of the brave.
they can tell you the story of the Roger did not believe in claiming
founding of Rhode Island here at the land so he bought it and the tribe
Roger Williams National Memorial. granted him this fine piece of
real estate with shoreline and a
nice spring with good water. He
farmed and fished and prospered.
37 Roger Williams Spring
Roger was so robust that at the age
When Roger Williams arrived here of 75 he rowed a boat to Newport to
he was a wanted man on the run from debate the Quakers and then rowed
the Puritans who convicted him. ( A back more than 50 miles in all.
puritan is a person who is haunted by Across the street up the hill to
the thought that someone, somewhere the left behind the church is a
in the world is having fun right now.) He historic burial ground that is weel
was convicted for preaching freedom worth touring – please do not
of conscience, tolerance of minorities touch the delicate headstones.
and separation of church and state.
Roger thought that being independent
was tough enough without being
double teamed by a combination of
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39 Where The Moose Drink
Arriving on the west side of Canal Street you will
see how the street earned its name. At this point
the mighty Moshassuck River is channeled into a
canal that was used to provide power to mills. It
is in the best condition that it has been in many
generations. But it is still a long way from its
original Indian name meaning “where the Moose
drink”. In the 1800’s the power of the rivers drove
the looms of America’s Industrial Revolution.
Textile fortunes were made as mighty waterwheels
powered the machinery in places such as Samuel
Slater’s Mill in nearby Pawtucket. The remaining
evidence of the mills can be found looking north
to the brick buildings and smoke stack which
stands so close to the river its foundation is set
in the water. The immense wealth created by
the industrial revolution helps explain how a
little state built such a huge and opulent State
House. Raging fires destroyed most of the mills
in this area. A little further along as the hill rises
is the Northeast Corridor of Amtrak. This
railway which was moved to its current location
just a few years ago used to run right through the
middle of Providence. Without the change in
location the construction of hotels and condos
that you now see would never have happened.
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40 The State House Dome
As your legs are telling you Providence has
some hills. In all there are 7 like Rome to be
accurate – Smith Hill which you are now on.
College or Prospect Hill is across the river and
logically is home to Brown University. Federal
Hill you cannot see from here but is our Little
Italy. Weybosset Hill was leveled to make way
for downtown. The rest are Constitution Hill,
Tockwotten Hill and Christian Hill on the westside.
41 The Independent Man
The breathtaking view of the State House (1902)
owes to the fact that Providence was the wealthiest
city in America when it was built. The Dome is
said to be the fourth largest unsupported marble
dome in the world putting it in the company of St.
Peter’s in Rome the Taj Mahal and the US Capitol.
The Independent Man is the statue on top of
the dome. With spear in hand he is the official
guardian of the state and the unofficial symbol of
the Independence Trail. He has been a lonely
bachelor for over a century so if you come
from a state with an eligible statue let us know.
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by King Charles starting our “lively
experiment” – if he had any idea it
On the North entablature of the would lead to such rebelliousness
building there are inscriptions in the future he no doubt would
recording some of the most important have
had
second
thoughts.
dates in the history of Rhode Island
especially today a Rhode Island
before any other colony declared
independence from Great Britain
May 4, 1776. If the building is open
walk-through and tour marvelous
sculpture and artworks.
If our
legislature is in session there are
beautiful galleries that overlook the
House and Senate chambers. Just
remember the old adage that there
are two things you may not want to
watch being made sausage and laws
42 Sausage & Laws
43 The East Side
From the east terrace of the state
house you can see the whole of
College Hill with its many beautiful
restored historic homes. The silver
dome at the foot of the lawn is the
train station and tracks that replaced
the berm and tracks that had
previously divided the city. A close
look will reveal the massive statue of
Roger Williams gazing over the city.
To the south is our pretty little skyline
that includes the “Superman building”
and the historic grand Biltmore Hotel.
Rumor has it the hotel had to take
steps to prevent college kids from
trying to have the BigO in the big O.
44 Lively Experiment
Here on the south entablature are the
words from our Royal Charter granted
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45
45 Nathaniel & Oliver - Heroes
Here you see heroes – the statue of
Nathaniel Greens second in command
to George Washington himself and
Oliver Hazard Perry hero of the Battle
of Lake Eire in the War of 1812. More
recently the Heroes Garden on the
west lawn commemorates the valor
and bravery of the Rhode Islanders
who gave their lives in the Iraq war.
First on the list is Greg Belanger a fine
young man who worked as a cook for
me and met his sweet wife who Tara
who also worked for us. He put country
and family above all and we all need to
thank him and every other person on
every other memorial in Providence
and beyond for what they gave so
that we are independent and free.
46 Providence Place Mall
Another of the symbols of the
Providence Renaissance is the
thriving Providence Place Mall. For
years shopping had moved out to the
suburbs but now Providence Place
draws shoppers back to the capital city.
Just up the hill is the luxurious
Renaissance Hotel. The story of how
it was built started back in the 1920’s
when construction was started on a
massive Masonic temple. Work was
completed on the exterior walls and the
roof was being completed. Suddenly
one day all the workmen left – never
to return. In a state where everyone
knows all the secrets nobody ever had
an explanation for what happened.
Over the next 75 years the building
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became a ruin – boarded up it
resisted every effort to develop it.
Finally after the arrival of the new
millennium work was begun on a new
appropriately named Renaissance
Hotel. Today the original massive
columns of the masonic temple give
it a grandeur and classical styling.
Next door is the Vets, a magnificent
performing arts center. Be sure to check
their schedule for everything from
ballet to philharmonic performances.
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47 Hanging an Innocent Man
An innocent man died where you
are standing. On Valentine’s Day
1845 John Gordon was hung from a
gallows here. This was then the state
prison. Gordon had been convicted
of murdering a prosperous Yankee.
As an Irish immigrant he was looked
down upon and the Judge in his
case prejudiced the jury against him.
It turns out he died for a crime
he did not commit. In the 1850’s
Rhode Island became the second
state to ban capital punishment – a
ban that last to this day. In 2012
John Gordon was pardoned officially
by the Governor of Rhode Island
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48 Waterplace Park
Waterplace park is the crown jewel
of the river relocation project. Its
basin is home to WaterFire the
extraordinary art spectacle created
by Barnaby Evans. What was once
divided by the railroad is now joined
into a beautiful urban waterpark.
The Woonasquatucket River may
well be the most bridged river in the
world – it is crossed here by more than
twenty separate bridges – foot bridges,
railroad bridges, interstate highway
bridges, city bridges, mall promenades
and parking decks. The bridge you
are standing on is the Reverend Martin
Luther King Bridge. From this bridge
you can look to the east and see the
Carrie Tower on Brown University’s
campus where Reverend King spoke
on November 9, 1960 the day John
F. Kennedy won the Presidency.
Coincidently both men had spoken
in Providence within two days
of each other – imagine having
heard two of the world’s greatest
orators back to back in Providence.
49 Providence Visitors Bureau
The glittering headquarters of GTech
houses the Providence Warwick
Convention & Visitors Bureau.
They have complete information
on all the best to do in Providence
from dining, lodging, shopping to
entertainment, history, conventions
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and meetings they can connect you
with everything you need to enjoy
your stay. www.goprovidence.com
50 Kennedy Plaza
Kennedy Plaza The heart of
Providence is the plaza. It is the
gateway to our historic financial district.
Home to City Hall and the historic
Federal Courthouse. It is a crossroads
for travelers coming and going on our
RIPTA in-state buses and interstate
coaches like Megabus and Peter Pan.
It is a good place to find a cab, late
night food or a comfortable bed at the
Biltmore, Omni or Courtyard Hotels.
Our Convention Center is here and
there is an entrance to the mall that
takes you over our Yellow Skybridge.
The bridge is the work of Frederich
St. Florian an inspired local architect
who also designed our nation’s World
War II Memorial in Washington DC.
Kennedy Plaza is home to our Skating
Rink, lovely parks, beautiful statuary,
inspiring fountains, memorials and a
building Superman would have loved
to leap over. If you like Providence
enough you can even buy one of the
Residences at the Westin and make
our wonderful state your new home.
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SMITH HILL
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WICKENDEN
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BROWN UNIVERSITY
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JOHNSON & WALES
UNIVERSITY
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ART & ENTERTAINMENT
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WAYLAND SQUARE
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FEDERAL HILL
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COLLEGE HILL
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Accommodations
Pizzeria’s
Christopher Dodge House
Bed & Breakfast
11 West Park St.
401-351-6111
www.providence-hotel.com
Courtyard by Marriott
32 Exchange Terrace
401-272-1191
www.marriott.com
Crown Plaza Hotel
801 Greewich Ave
401-732-6000
Edgewood Manor
Bed & Breakfast
Hampton Inn & Suites
58 Weybosset St.
855-271-3622
Hilton Providence
21 Atwells Ave.
401-831-3900
Hotel Dolce Villa
63 DePasquale Square
401-383-7031
Hotel Providence
139 Mathewson St.
401-861-8000
Nylo
Old Court
Bed & Breakfast
144 Benefit St.
401-751-2002
Omni Providence
One West Exchange St.
401-598-8000
Providence Biltmore Hotel
11 Dorrance St
401-421-0700
Providence Mariott
One Orms St.
401-272-2400
Renaissance Providence
5 Avenue of the Arts
401-919-5000
www.marriott.com
Wyndam Garden
220 India St.
401-272-5577
Caserta Pizzeria
121 Spruce St. PVD
401-621-3618
www.casertapizza.com
Minervas
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Hope Street Pizza
Antonio’s Pizza
256 Thayer St., PVD
401-455-3600
www.antoniospizza.com
Pizza Pie-er
374 Wickenden St., PVD
401-351-3663
www.pizzapie-er.com
Fellini Pizzeria
166 Wickenden St., PVD
401-751-6737
www.fellinipizzeria.com
Bob and Timmy’s
32 Spruce St., PVD
401-453-2221
www.bobandtimmys.com
Providence Pizza Company
767 Westminster St., PVD
401-331-1030
www.providencepizzacom.com
Sicilia’s Pizza
181 Atwells Ave., PVD
401-273-9222
www.mysiciliaspizza.com
Providence Coal Fired Pizza
385 Westminster St., PVD
401-454-7499
providencecoalfirepizza.com
Wine & Liquor
Acme Liquors
1023 Chalkstone Ave.
401-274-2337
Axtons Branch Ave Liquors
650 Branch Ave.
401-831-3394
Bottles Fine Wines & Craft Beer
Campus Fine Wines
127 Brook St.
401-621-9650
www.campusfinewines.com
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City Liquors
1285 N. Main St.
401-831-2337
www.riliquor.com
Eno Fine Wines
225 Westminster St.
401-521-2000
www.enofinewines.com
Gasbarros
361 Atwells Ave.
401-421-4170
High Spirits Liquor
559 N. Main St.
401-274-4790
Murphy’s Liquors
219 Academy Ave.
401-831-9284
Nikki’s Liquors
33 Smithfield Rd.
401-861-9006
www.nikkisliquors.com
Nocera’s Liquor Store
969 Smith St.
401-421-8767
Solitto’s Liquor Store
905 Narragansett Blvd.
401-781-2260
Spiritus Fermenti
220 Meeting St.
401-273-1999
Standard Liquors
829 Eddy St.
401-941-9605
www.standardliquors.net
Swan Liquor
806 Hope St.
401-421-5760
Wayland Square Fine Wine
210 Wayland Ave
401-351-9463