The Cute Providence Landmark That's Reopening For Tours This Summer
Some Photos Of The Betsey Williams Cottage From My Archives
Back in elementary school, I did a report about Roger Williams and not to get all macabre or anything, but I seem to remember something about his remains being discovered inside a soap box. (Eek!)
Anywho, this is actually not about RW, but his great-great-great granddaughters Betsey and Rhoda (can’t help think of the late Valerie Harper and her signature head scarves every single time I see that name) and the classic NE cottage that they called home for most of their lives.
When Betsey died in 1871, at the age of 81, she left the cottage and the surrounding 102 acres to the city of Providence with the understanding that it would become a public park (and not a hospital, prison, or slaughterhouse…as specificied in her Last Will & Testament which is Google-able for all you history buffs out there) and monument to the memory of her grandfather.
Flash forward to today, and the house being on display for all who enter RWP via the main (Elmwood Avenue) gate.
Driving by as a kid, I was always incredibly curious about that little red house.
In those days, however, it was closed to the general public — a mystery which I now know was rooted in apparent “structural issues” that made it unsafe to tour.
Another Look At The BWC
Oops, Just Caught A Typo On This Vintage Illustration That Hangs In The Cottage: Note The Spelling Of “Betsy” At The Top.
One of Three Fireplaces On The Ground Level
A Spinning Wheel Just Like The One The Williams Sisters Used To Use Back In The 19th Century
After an incredibly impressive renovation — thanks to a State Preservation Grant from the RI Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission — in August 2018, visitors were finally allowed back inside the historic farmhouse (where the sisters had once worked diligently weaving cloth to help support themselves after farming had ceased and also where they entertained guests on a pretty regular basis) for the first time in over 30 years.
(At that time, fellow Rhode Island blogger I Heart Rhody was kind enough to write about those open house events. Click here for her post.)
RWP Conservancy (in my opinion, the Park looks the best it’s ever looked right now) in conjunction with the RWP Museum will be hosting more opportunities this summer:
Saturday, June 29th, and Sunday, June 30th, from 10am to 1pm
Saturday, July 6th, and Sunday, July 7th, from 10am to 1pm
Saturday, July 13th, and Sunday, July 14th, from 10am to 1pm
Saturday, July 20th, and Sunday, July 21st, from 10am to 1pm
For more details, you’ll want to go to RWPConservancy.org.
Photo Credits: Images Here Are All By Patty J And PattyJ.com.