from
WorldWeb.com Travel Guide
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Newport,
Rhode Island |
The State of Rhode Island
and Providence Plantations, or Rhode
Island for short, is one of six small states on America's north-eastern
seaboard that are collectively known as New England. The smallest by far, with
all its islands and nearly 400 miles (640 km) of coastline, The Ocean State
is full of surprises and cultural diversity. The wealth and wonder attracts
many visitors, some of whom—like boxing champion Jamie "The Hurricane"
Clampitt who came from Gravelbourg,
Saskatchewan,
Canada but now calls Narrangansett
home—choose to stay.
HISTORY
Modern life in the smallest
state in America grew out of the Providence Plantations, the first settlement
of European decent established in 1636 in what is now the capital city of Providence.
It was in that year that clergyman Roger Williams left the Massachusetts Bay
Colony to worship freely according to his own beliefs. Williams arrived with
a number of worshippers, including Anne and William Hutchinson and William Coddington,
who would found Portsmouth
two years later in pursuit of their own religious freedom.
The 17th century was a time
of great development for Rhode Island, with particular regard for religious
independence. So much so that the state earned the unofficial nickname of "Rogues
Island" with the other New England colonies. The state developed a reputation
for such independence, and several sects began moving in. Quakers, Jews, French
Huguenots (Calvinists), and Baptists all relocated during the 1600s. In fact,
America's first Baptist church was formed in Providence, and dates back to 1639.
That year saw William Coddington
travel to Aquidneck Island to establish yet another new settlement, which he
named Newport.
Freedom of worship brought
peace to the religious life of the new settlers, but inevitable clashes between
those of European ancestry and those of Native American decent became commonplace
by the end of the century. The European desire to use the land exclusively,
and the deaths of the leaders of both sides of the conflict increased hostilities.
Abuse followed abuse, resulting in the colonial war known as King Philip’s War,
considered one of the greatest tragedies to occur on American soil. Thousands
of lives were lost, one in ten soldiers on either side died in battle, and the
property damage was overwhelming. To add insult to injury, the end of the war
brought with it an end to the political sovereignty of Native people in the
area.
During the relative peace
of the early 1700s, the settlements of Providence and Newport were among the
busiest trade ports on the continent. By the middle of the 18th century the
South County plantations were the most successful producers, focusing mainly
on agriculture and dairy products, though livestock (sheep, in particular) was
not uncommon.
The post war peace of the
new colonies was short lived, as the absolute lack of representation for the
new colonies in Parliament led to dissension between rulers and subjects. In
addition, new laws and taxes were imposed by the Crown in an attempt to recover
the high cost of King Philip's War. At this time New England residents still
considered themselves subjects of the Crown, but acted separately, governing
themselves by votes of majority under the supervision of England's
appointed officials. Grateful as the colonists were for the support and defence
against the Native People, they did not welcome England's new taxes on every
day items such as sugar, tea and newspapers.
During the turbulent years
of the Revolutionary War that followed, the settlers of the Plantation State
fought on the front lines. As the first colony in the new world to declare independence
from Great Britain (in May of 1776), it is somewhat surprising that only one
major battle was fought on New England soil. The battle against the British
left its mark in 1778 during the Battle of Rhode Island. For the entire month
of August, the Colonial Army attacked the Crown forces stationed in Newport,
on Aquidneck Island across Narragansett
Bay. As the war raged on, American forces were driven north toward Turkey
Hill and Providence, but their greater numbers ultimately led to their victory.
During the war the state produced many wartime heros, including George Washington's
second-in-command, General Nathanel Greene.
It was not long after the
end of that war (in 1785) that "Little Rhody" gained statehood. May 29, 1790
saw Rhode Island become the 13th state. Having developed strong commercial ties
with the Atlantic settlements, the newest member of the U.S.A.
set its sights on trade with other British colonies from Portugal and Africa
to South America and the West Indies. The most lucrative business also became
the most controversial. Rhode Island merchants were more active in the slave
trade than any other colony, even though many African Americans fought along
side the colonists in the war for independence.
It is ironic, then, that
Rhode Island played such a pivotal role in the anti-slave movement. The emancipation
movement in Rhode Island began when Moses Brown became a Quaker and freed his
slaves. He went on to lead the masses to enact anti-slave legislation, an extension
of the Negro Emancipation Act of 1784. The subsequent trial and acquittal of
John Bower on charges of slave trading led New Englanders to believe the legislation
wouldn't have much effect, especially against the wealthy. In an attempt to
secure their freedom, many African Americans enlisted in the "Black Regiment
of Rhode Island", the first black army unit in history. The unit was never paid
for their efforts, and continued racial tension through the 18th and 19th centuries
led to civil unrest in the peaceful ocean state. Fortunately, not all settlers
supported the slave traders. During the height of the Underground Railroad,
many families seeking freedom found their way to Rhode Island, and would take
shelter in secret in Bethel
African Methodist Episcopal Church in Providence. The site is now an
important historical landmark.
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Ships Arrive in New England
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In 1854, Rhode Island named
Providence as its capital. Growing overseas trade and the arrival of the railroad
made the city the perfect choice. Improved roadways made transporting cargo
from ports to rail stations easier and less risky. The port at Providence was
widened, to accommodate the larger cargo ships used for international trade.
The growth of non-religious
literature through the 1800s also played an important role in the social and
political changes experienced in Rhode Island. Harriet Beecher Stow's "Uncle
Tom's Cabin" received critical acclaim throughout the country for its verisimilitude,
inspired the emancipation movement throughout the New England colonies, and
is considered a major factor in both the anti-slave movement and the Civil War.
Fiction and prose also gained popularity with such works as Edgar Allen Poe's
"The Raven", written in Providence, taking hold of the national consciousness.
Many Rhode Island authors had a strong influence on American literature, but
none more so than Providence native Howard Philip Lovecraft, better known as
H.P. Lovecraft. His many tales typically involved ghouls and great beasts troubling
mortal men, paranormal experiences and unspeakable evil. Volumes of collected
Lovecraft works are in print generations after his death. These works had a
strong influence on science fiction, fantasy and horror writing around the world,
and can be seen in the works of such acclaimed authors as Stephen King and Brian
Lumley.
The change in social climate
through the 19th and 20th centuries brought with them a change in economy. In
addition to literature and publishing, agriculture, most notably nursery stock,
vegetables and dairy products took hold throughout the country and the 13th
state was ripe for the harvest. The naturally fertile lands were further enriched
by the coastal climate. After the industrial revolution changed life in America,
industry focus began to take shift once more. Fashion and jewellery, metal products,
electronics and machinery, and shipbuilding gained ground as trades of choice.
With the coming of the information age, tourism earned a place on that list,
showcasing the natural beauty and serenity of the Ocean State.
The early 20th century saw
the state become a playground for the middle and upper classes. This trend laid
the groundwork for Rhode Island's future tourism industry. The lush environment
and rich cultural history further strengthened its drawing power.
The increased interest in
this tiny retreat led to the opening of the first state-owned and operated airport
in the United States in the summer of 1931. Air shows held in celebration of
the new Hillsgrove State Airport facility, serving the Warwick
/ Providence area, drew the largest crowd of any public function in the country
with over 150,000 spectators. Seven years later the airport was renamed Theodore
Francis Green State Airport, in honour of Rhode Island's governor. For
a brief period during the end of the second world war, the Theodore Francis
Green Airport was run by the Army Air Force, to fight the threat to world peace
and for training officers graduating from fight school.
The airport, and the successful
manufacturing and metal industries proved a great asset during the Second World
War. The high level of academia produced by Brown
University in the capital of Providence further enhanced the war efforts,
and Rhode Island's reputation. Tourism to Rhode Island increased, and new terminals
were added to Theodore Francis Green Airport in order to accommodate the trend
to use larger aeroplanes. Brown University went on to support the post war recovery
by establishing a Veteran's College for soldiers returning from the war.
After the war ended, high
technology became the economic leader. Returning GI's and the subsequent baby
boom meant high student enrolment in post secondary education would continue
for the majority of the century. Many graduates chose to stay in the Ocean State
to pursue lucrative technology based careers.
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Living
in Rhode Island |
In 1952, the Rhode Island
based toy manufacturer Hasbro struck gold when it gave the world one of its
most loved toys, the Mr. Potato Head. One year later, Mr. Potato Head got married.
As technology developed, the Potato Head family was vastly improved. Parts were
made bendable, for greater expressive fun, and a trap door was included for
storing all the extra parts in the hollow potato shell. The line was expanded
to include 12 potato children. So popular was the potato family that in the
late 1980s Mr. Potato Head became the poster boy for the "Great American Smoke
Off", aimed at helping Americans to give up the smoking habit. As personal computers
became more common and affordable, the toy lost popularity, but rebounded with
the 1995 release of Disney's animated blockbuster film, "Toy Story".
The state of higher learning
prepared Rhode Islanders for the coming computer age. The population grew as
industry leaders recruited heavily to keep pace with both computers and biotechnology.
By the end of the 1990s, Rhode Island had secured a strong place in the nation's
technology sector, and looked forward to creating new wonders in the new millennium.
TRANSPORTATION
Rhode Island has a few airports
to choose from, the largest being the Theodore Francis Green Airport just outside
Providence. This is the states international airport, run by the Rhode Island
Airport Corporation. Regular daily flights are available from such departure
points as New York City,
New York,
Boston, Massachusetts,
Chicago, Illinois,
Detroit, Michigan,
Orlando, Florida
and Los Angeles, California.
Also offering daily travel
are Greyhound bus lines and Amtrak
rail. Amtrak operated stations out of Kingston,
Providence and Westerly.
Greyhound offers routes to and from Middletown,
Newport, Portsmouth and Providence, including stops at the Theodore Francis
Green Airport.
The I-95, I-195 and I-295,
as well as many minor highways all connect Rhode Island to the world, directly
through Providence.
Ferries
connect Block Island
and Newport before travelling on to Providence and Pawtucket,
with stops on Prudence Island and in the Bristol
district.
The Rhode
Island Public Transit Authority gets visitors around the state, with
major stations in Providence and Newport.
SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS
One of the earliest roads
in Rhode Island is now known as Historic US Route 1. The highway runs through
the state, sometimes acting as Main Street for one of the many towns along the
way. Old Post Road, as it is also called, offers a great opportunity to see
not only the historic centers and development of America from the earliest days,
but also the beautiful Rhode Island countryside.
The highway also brings
sightseers close to literally hundreds of miles of coastline. With so much water,
it should come as no surprise that watersport is popular here. The many beaches
offer shelter from the roaring Atlantic Ocean, and make for picturesque vacation
hideaways. They also provide ideal conditions for boating,
water-skiing and surfing. The ocean floor is rough, but there are many areas
where few or no rocks can be found. There are also many beaches
near state
parks and campgrounds, which make a nice way to tour the state. Some
of the state operated camp sites offer swimming and surfing lessons.
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Fun in the Ocean State |
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City parks usually have
more to offer travellers, like the Roger
Williams Park & Zoo in Providence. This award winning park is known
as the Jewel of Providence, and with good reason. More than three and a half
million tourists visit the rose gardens, hills and lakes, and special themed
Asian gardens every year. This number is sure to rise once the Roger Williams
Park Botanical Gardens open in 2004.
For more historical fare,
each summer Portsmouth commemorates the Battle of Rhode Island. Military celebrations
and re-enactments are held over an entire weekend, reconstructing the major
events of the battle.
The Underground Railroad
also has a broad historical appeal. An important link in a major turning point
in the development of America, the Railroad made stops in the Ocean State, and
many of the sites are recognised as historic landmarks. Sites such as the Bethel
African Methodist Episcopal Church (near Brown University campus in Providence)
have been commemorated for their role in emancipation and changing American
culture. The site is now included in the "Rhode Island Afro-American Heritage
Trail".
Providence also has one
of the true relics of 20th century American literature at 65 Prospect Street.
Known as the Samel
B. Mumford House, it served as the living quarters of author H.P Lovecraft.
During the decade before his death, this writer reknown for his horror, fiction
and fantasy lived in this house, and it was here that he penned many of his
most loved and well known stories including The Call of Cthulhu (1926) and At
the Mountains Of Madness (1931). In those days, the house could be found at
66 College Street, where it was built in 1825. The John
Hay Library, the proud owner of many of Lovecraft's original manuscripts,
sat right behind the home, which was later moved to make way for library expansion.
The Mumford House is part
of what is known as College Hill, on the site of the first permanent settlement
in Rhode Island. College Hill, just east of the Providence River, is one of
the city's finest areas for touring. Here visitors can find the oldest and most
exquisite architecture in the state, like John Brown's House from 1786, "one
of the most elegant mansions on this continent", according to one time
President John Quincy Adams. Some restored homes date back to the early 1600s,
when Roger Williams and company moved to the region. In the mid 1700s, many
of the wealthiest families in Providence lived in this district, so it should
be no surprise that Brown University is also found here. Through the late 18th
and early 19th centuries, shops began sprouting up along the edge of the Hill,
where the district and downtown meet.
The capital city also hosts
one of the best loved, and fastest growing events in the state. First
Night Providence is an annual celebration of the arts, held every New
Years Eve. Midnight fireworks, magicians, storytellers and poets, comedians,
dancers and musicians from Rhode Island show off their talents along side entertainers
from around the world. Every year it's a little bit different, and every year
is better than the last.
Providence is not alone
in its appeal. Newport has a prominent location on the Atlantic Ocean, overlooking
Rhode Island Sound. This is a fantastic location for swimming, water-skiing
and surfing, but also for shopping
and touring.
Many of the mansions bring to light the architectural genius of early America,
and stand as a testament to the enduring nature of the country's first resort
town. Some of the wealthiest families in American history have built homes and
personal playgrounds here, and have been known to throw extremely lavish parties.
Newport's Famous 400, as they were often called, are said to be the inspiration
for F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel The Great Gatsby. Tours of the mansions
are available through many organisations, and the various tours visit different
homes. Visitors wishing to see the sights of Little Rhody's second city should
be advised that there is a toll bridge system connecting the city with the rest
of the state. The 400 foot (122 meter) Newport
Bridge stands nearly 200 feet (61 meters) high and can be somewhat unnerving
for some travellers.
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Enjoy
a Tour of the Stately Mansions |
Dining around the state
has become an event in itself. There are few places in America where the seafood
is as good. Centuries of ocean life have taken the preparation of this delicacy
to the highest art form. More often than not, the menus are large enough to
offer something for everyone, from the fabulous seafood to Italian dishes.
The 11 square miles (18
kilometers) that make up Block Island are picturesque and serene. Considered
one of the greatest places in the United States, the cliffs and rolling hills
are dotted with Victorian summer homes converted to modern hotels. Swimming
and hiking through fields and glades are the most popular recreational activities
on the island, but take a Back Seat to relaxing in the summer sun. Block Island,
a popular site for outdoor weddings, can only be reached by boat or plane. Festivals
and parades are common between mid-March and early September, and occur
almost on a weekly basis. The
Southeast Light, the lighthouse on the southern tip, has been declared
one of America's "11 most endangered structures of historic significance" by
the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The lighthouse, built in 1875
at a cost of $80, 000, once stood 300 feet (91 meters) from the cliff, but more
than 100 years of erosion has cut that distance down considerably. By the 1990s,
the tower stood a mere 55 feet from the edge. This National Historic Landmark
site has since been moved back another 250 feet, hopefully for good.
Ghost tours are becoming
more popular in Rhode Island, and can be fun, believer or not. Ghastly tales
of New England's departed seem more plausible in the haunting autumn air, though
sightings are admittedly rare. The spooky surroundings take on more disturbing
tones when considering the fact that both Edgar Allen Poe and H.P. Lovecraft
wrote stories inspired by the Rhode Island atmosphere. Nowhere is this more
obvious than on a visit to the Harris
House, about which Lovecraft penned the "The Shunned House", which comes
complete with historical facts about the home and the rumors spawned by the
author's writing. Or perhaps to the Witches
Altar in South County, which could very well have found a place in the
blockbuster horror film "The Blair Witch Project". Truth be told, many of the
sights around Rhode Island are fodder for American horror films. Travellers
with a taste for the darker side of human history will not be disappointed with
the Ocean State. Especially during the Halloween season. Haunted
Newport, the largest (and longest) Hallow's Eve festival in all of North
America, lasts the entire month of October. A little bit of hostory mixed with
good old family fun, the festival includes parties, ghost tours and a celebration
of the life of Edgar Allen Poe.
