Visit Providence/Warwick, home of colonial history and Victorian architecture

Rhode Island > Providence Warwick > Indoor Activities > Historic Homes and Sites

Steamship Historical Society of America

2500 Post Road Warwick, RI, 02886 Phone:

Exquisite maritime paintings and ship models on display at the Steamship Historical Society of America will transport you into a time when steam power was king and steam-powered ships dominated the globe. The society in Warwick is a brotherhood dedicated to preserving the history of engine-powered vessels. It interactive website and magazine “PowerShips” are a wealth of information. If you want to visit and see the archives, make an appointment through the society’s website. You will get an enthusiastic reception.

Warwick Center for the Arts

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

Like many places in New England, the building that houses the Warwick Center for the Arts has its own history. The flat, crenelated roof of the brick building gives evidence of its first role as the Kentish Artillery Armory, a National Historic Landmark. In 1977, the building was deeded to the city and Warwick Museum of Art moved into it. That museum – now the Warwick Center for the Arts – was created in 1974 as part of the American Bicentennial Celebration focused on historic exhibits. Here you can enjoy rotating art exhibit, art demos, performances, and a comedy club presented every Friday evening.

State-House-at-dusk-credit-Courtesy-of-N-Millard-and-GoProvidence

State Capitol of Rhode Island

82 Smith Street Providence, RI Phone: 401-277-2357

Completed in 1904, the building has the fourth largest self-supported dome in the world. Historic Rhode Island items on display include the original Rhode Island Charter (1663) and a portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart, a Rhode Island native. Free guided tours are offered year-round, Monday through Friday, by advance arrangement. Tour stops include the Bell Room, where Rhode Island's replica of the Philadelphia Liberty Bell is displayed; the State Room, where Gilbert Stuart's famous portrait of George Washington hangs.
Hours: See website to arrange tours. Tours are 50 minutes. Allow enough extra time to pass through security.

Clouds Hill Museum

4175 Post Road Warwick, RI, 02886 Phone: 401-884-9490

A portal to the past...

This Victorian House Museum, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was built in 1872 by William Smith Slater for his daughter, Elizabeth Ives Slater at the time of her marriage. It has been passed down through successive female members of the family and it is now open to the public. In addition to the architecture and interior design of the house, visitors enjoy seeing collections of Victorian-era textiles, porcelain, and more.

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First Baptist Church in America

75 North Main Street Providence, RI Phone: 401-454-3418

This is the oldest Baptist Church in America, established by Rhode Island founder Roger Williams in 1638. The existing structure was built in 1775, and sports a Waterford crystal chandelier designed and constructed in 1792.
Hours: Guided tours of the Meeting House are available Memorial Day through Labor Day; self-guided tours are available the rest of the year; Monday through Friday 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m.; there is a guided tour each Sunday following the Worship Service
Admission: $2 per person

Governor Stephen Hopkins House

15 Hopkins Street Providence, RI, 02903 Phone: 401-751-1008

This is the home of Stephen Hopkins, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, his family, and their slaves, for over 40 years. Hopkins added the Georgian style front in 1743. Twice moved, it was restored amd opened as a museum in 1929. Eight rooms are filled with period antiques & Hopkins heirlooms.
Hours: Guided tours given May through November, Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and also year-round by appointment. Donations are requested in lieu of an admission charge.

Federal Hill

Atwells Avenue and surrounding streets Providence, RI Phone:

This is Rhode Island's Little Italy. A true example of Providence's old-world roots, with historic buildings and a big splash of the Italian culture that made Providence grow in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Enjoy bakeries, shops, and some of the best restaurants in New England. Take an evening or afternoon walk or stroll through these colorful streets and feel like you have stepped into the Old World for a day.

Brown University

Prospect, Waterman, Thayer and George streets Providence, RI Phone: 401-863-1000

One of the Ivy League universities, Brown was founded in 1764. The campus houses several historic buildings and sites, most of which are still in use today. The campus and neighborhood provide ample opportunity for both long and short walks. The university can information concerning the myriad of historic buildings.

Governor Sprague Mansion

1351 Cranston Street Cranston, RI, 02920 Phone: 401-944-9226

Built in 1790, this home was owned by the Sprague family, who produced two Rhode Island governors. The house contains period furniture and artifacts. In the stable house there are carriages, carts, winter sleighs, and a Bicentennial Conestoga wagon. Open year-round by appointment.

Pawtuxet Village

Narragansett Parkway Warwick, RI Phone: Toll-Free: 800-4WARWICK

Settled in 1642 Pawtuxet Village lays claim to being New England's oldest village. This Historic District features many colonial and historic homes along tree-lined streets. During the early years of settlement colonists were beset by Indian attacks. Pawutuxet Village also was a stop on the Underground Railroad.

Governor Henry Lippitt House Museum

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

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.
Hours: May-October, Friday, 11 a.m., noon, 1 and 2 p.m.
Cost: Adults, $10.

Roger Williams National Memorial

282 North Main Street Providence, RI Phone: 401-521-7266

Rhode Island's only national park on the site of the original Providence colonial settlement. A visitors center chronicles the life and times of Roger Williams, founder of the state of Rhode Island.
Hours: The visitor center at the memorial is open daily, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Admission: Free.

General Nathanael Greene Homestead

50 Taft Street Coventry, RI Phone: 401-821-8630

The home of George Washington's second-in-command, built in 1770. The grounds include a veterans garden and Revolutionary War cannon.
Hours: April 1-October 31, Monday, Friday, and Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $5; children, $3.

Old State House of Rhode Island

150 Benefit Street Providence, RI Phone: 401-277-2678

Home to the Rhode Island General Assembly during the Revolutionary War period, built in 1762. The Declaration of Independence was signed here on May 4, 1776, two months before the other colonies. Open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Crescent Park Carousel

Crescent Park, 700 Bullocks Point Avenue Riverside, RI, 02915 Phone: 401-435-7518

This classic Victorian carousel was designed by Charles I.D. Loof, and constructed in 1895. The mechanism includes 66 figures and a carved band organ. It's the official Rhode Island State Symbol of Folk Art. Concession stand and a gift shop are available.
Hours: Spring and fall, Saturday-Sunday, noon-9 p.m.; Memorial Day-July, Friday-Sunday, noon-9 p.m.; July-Labor Day, Wednesday-Sunday, noon-9 p.m.
Information: http://bit.ly/YxuC9m

John Brown House Museum

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

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 when you decide to visit this Rhode Island museum on your next vacation or getaway. .
Hours: December 1-March 31, Friday and Saturday, 10:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 and 3 p.m.; April 1-November 30, Tuesday-Friday, 1:30 and 3 p.m.; Saturdays, 10:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 and 3 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $10; seniors and students, $8; children age 7-17, $6.
Information: rihs.org/museums_jbh.html

Providence Athenaeum

251 Benefit Street Providence, RI Phone: 401-421-6970

The Athenaeum is one of the oldest libraries in the country, founded in 1753. The building itself was constructed in 1838 in granite Greek Revival style. Still a fully functional subscription library, interesting exhibits of rare and historic books are often found on the site.

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