Providence/Warwick museums and galleries offer a rich cultural history of RI

Aldrich House

110 Benevolent Street Providence, RI Phone: 401-331-8575

This Federal style mansion was built in 1822. It is the headquarters for the Rhode Island Historical Society.

Culinary Arts Museum at Johnson and Wales University

315 Harborside Blvd. Providence, RI Phone: 401-598-2805

Open: Tuesday – Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Monday and major holidays

A visit to the Johnson & Wales Culinary Arts Museum in Providence will excite your senses and pique your appetite for art and artifacts about food service and cookery. Indulge in the edible art of food presentation and see the Dinner at the White House exhibit, and then travel through time by tracing the history of American cooking. Experience our 4000-square-foot diner exhibit, including The Little Chef Diner, a play area for kids, and the Every Ready diner, a 1926 diner which operated in Providence.

David Winton Bell Gallery of the List Art Center at Brown University

64 College Street Providence, RI 02912 Phone: 401-863-2932

Open: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, 1-4 p.m.

Part of Brown University, the gallery contains art exhibits of both contemporary and historical works.

Governor Henry Lippitt House Museum

199 Hope Street Providence, RI 02906 Phone: 401-453-0688

Open: May-October, Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tours on the hour; last tour at 2 p.m.; tours also by appointment

A Victorian mansion built in 1865, it is a National Historic Landmark. Home of two Rhode Island governors. Intricately decorated and furnished with authentic pieces from the Victorian period. Cost: Adults, $10.

John Brown House Museum

52 Power Street Providence, RI 02906 Phone: 401-273-7507

Open: September 5- December 30, Tuesday-Friday, tours at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.; Saturdays, tours at 10:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 and 3 p.m.; January- March, tours at 10:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 and 3 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays only.

One of America's grandest mansions when completed in 1788, the house at 52 Power Street was home first to John Brown, a businessman, patriot, politician, China trade pioneer, and slave trader who participated in the debates and practices that shaped the new nation. Group, school, and special tours are available by appointment. Cost: Adults, $8; seniors and students, $6; children age 7-17, $4.

Museum of Art at Rhode Island School of Design

224 Benefit Street Providence, RI 02903 Phone: 401- 454-6500

Open: Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; third Thursday monthly until 9 p.m.

Exhibits focus on historic art and design. Included are items and exhibits from ancient Greece and Rome, 18th-century Europe, ancient Egypt, the Middle Ages and 19th-century American decorative art. Cost: Adults, $8; seniors (age 62 and older), $5; youths (age 5-18), $2; college students, $3; free, Sunday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; third Thursday, 5-9 p.m.; Friday, noon-1:30 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day and July 4.

Museum of Natural History and Cormack Planetarium

Roger Williams Park, 1000 Elmwood Avenue Providence, RI 02907 Phone: 401-785-9457 ext. 221

Open: Museum open daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Planetarium open school vacation weeks and Saturday-Sunday with shows at 2 p.m.

Rhode Island's only natural history museum and home to the state's only planetarium. The museum offers regular exhibits, events, and attractions. The Planetarium features a state-of-the-art Zeiss star projector and an enlarged domed ceiling on which the stars are projected. Cost: Museum admission is $2; planetarium admission is $3. Children under age 4 are not permitted into the planetarium.

Providence Children's Museum

100 South Street Providence, RI 02903 Phone: 401-273-KIDS

Open September-March, Tuesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; April-Labor Day, daily, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and every Friday evening in June, July and August.

A museum for children featuring hands-on exhibits for all ages, pre-school to teens. Cultural and science exhibits and a gift shop highlight interactive activities and exhibits.

Warwick Museum of Art

3259 Boston Post Road Warwick, RI 02886 Phone: 401-737-0010

Open: Tuesday-Saturday, noon to 5 or by appointment.

A selection of changing exhibits of the works of artists, both past and present. Cost: No admission charge; donations are welcome.