Roger Williams
National Memorial

Roger Williams National Memorial commemorates the life of the founder of Rhode Island and a champion of the ideal of religious freedom. Williams, banished from Massachusetts for his beliefs, founded Providence in 1636. This colony served as a refuge where all could come to worship as their conscience dictated without interference from the state. The Memorial is located on a common lot of the original settlement of Providence and includes 4.5 acres of landscaped park.

VISITATION:

Highest from May to September. Lowest during February.

LOCATION:

Downtown Providence, Rhode Island, one block from the State House.

ADDRESS:

Roger Williams National Memorial
282 North Main Street
Providence, RI 02903

TELEPHONE:

(401) 521-7266

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

Daily, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; closed January 1, Thanksgiving (third Thursday in November), and December 25.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

New England weather is subject to rapid change. Temperature during the summer is 70-90s, winter 20-40s and spring/fall 50-70s. Wear appropriate clothing and shoes for outdoor activities, based on the season.

DIRECTIONS:

Roger Williams National Memorial is located in Providence's College Hill Historic District.
From Interstate 95 North or South, take the downtown exit;
Turn left at the first light onto Francis Street;
Turn right at the next light across from the State House;
Turn right at the next light onto Smith Street;
Turn right at the next light onto Canal Street;
You will see the entrance to the parking lot on your left.

TRANSPORTATION:

Roger Williams National Memorial can be reached by RIPTA bus, Amtrak and MBTA trains with stations within blocks. T.F. Green Airport serves the Providence metropolitan area.
All of the Roger Williams National Memorial is walkable and accessible.

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

Free.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Visitor Centers/Exhibits:

The Visitor Center, located at 282 North Main, features exhibits and videos on Roger Williams, his ideals and principles of religious freedom and tolerance. Wayside exhibits can be found throughout the grounds of the Memorial.

Trails, Roads:

• The Providence Banner Trial highlights noted non-profit cultural, historical and architectual sites within a mile radius of the Memorial. Maps and brochures are available at the Visitor Center.
  
• Waterplace Park & Riverwalk offers a stroll along the waterways of Providence. There are many interesting and informative wayside signs to guide you through the area's history.
  
• A self-guided walking tour of the churches in the College Hill National Register Historic Landmark District begins directly across the street from the Memorial on North Main Street.
  
• A 10km Volkswalk is offered seasonally, beginning and ending at the Memorial Visitor Center.

Programs/Activities:

Roger Williams National Memorial offers on-site and in-school educational programs to groups which are scheduled in advance. Junior Ranger programs are offered.

• What Cheer, Netop! Grades: 1-3. Duration: 1 hour
  The meeting of cultures in 17th century New England is reflected in this greeting between English colonists and Native Americans. The influx of Europeans brought new goods, ideas, and values to the natives. Explore the interaction of these two cultures and the unique relationship that Roger Williams developed with the Wamponoags and Narragansetts.
  
• Travels with Roger Grades: 4-8. Duration: 1 to 1-1/2 hour
  When the English arrived here, they found open space, abundant wildlife and freedom from oppression. In this interactive program, participants relive these changes on a giant floor map of Southeastern New England. Although the program is mainly historical, it will include some science, language arts and geography.
  
• This Land is Our Land Grades: 4-8. Duration: 1 to 1-1/2 hour
  The United States of America contains a wealth of natural and cultural resources. The outstanding examples are preserved in our National Park System, the first of its kind in the world. By setting aside areas of national significance, we as well as future generations will be able to learn about and enjoy our rich heritage. "Travel" across our country and learn about these special places with the aid of pictures, props, and a giant floor map.
  
• The Legacy of Roger Williams: An Educator's Guide ...
  Copies of these guides have been placed in the libraries of all Rhode Island schools that enroll 4th-6th grade students. The guide features information and activities that will help prepare students for a program and provide reinforcement after the program.
  
• Exploring the past with a full day of educational fun may be accomplished by pairing a visit to the National Memorial with a program offered by one of the following:
  The Providence Presevation Society, (401-831-7440)
  The Rhode Island Historical Society, (401-331-8575)
  The Rhode Island State House, (401-277-2357)

Lodging and camping facilities:

None in the Park. Lodging is available with at least three major hotels within one mile and a few bed & breakfasts nearby. State and private camping facilities are 20 to 30 miles away.

Food/supplies:

Food and other services are available locally. A variety of restaurants are within walking distance of the Memorial.

Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:

The Memorial bookshop, operated by Eastern National, is located in the NPS-managed Visitor Center. The bookshop features many titles about Roger Williams, colonial history, National Parks, and Native Americans.

Accessibility:

The 4.5 acre grounds and Visitor Center are all accessible.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:

At our Visitor Center investigate the many contributions Roger Williams made to the cause of religious freedom through our exhibits and videos. Walk through the landscaped park that includes the site of the fresh-water spring and common area of the first European settlement in Providence. A Junior Ranger Activity Book is available from the Ranger at the Visitor Center.

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:

Reservations are not required for the general public. Reservations for organized groups should be made at least two weeks in advance. For additional information call 1-401-521-7266.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

Include Roger Williams National Memorial as a stop on your visit to Providence. The site is just one mile from the Providence Civic Center and the Rhode Island Convention Center. Please allow between 30 minutes to 1 hour to view video, exhibits and grounds.

SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:

Waterplace Park, the State House Lawn and Kennedy Plaza in Downtown serve as venues for a number of annual and special events. The Visitor Center is open and the Memorial grounds are sometimes used during these festivals.

VISITOR IMPACTS:

Do not allow your visit to be spoiled by an accident. Exercise caution crossing busy streets.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

• Providence offers many nearby historical, educational and cultural attractions including: College Hill Historic District, Benefit Street, Waterplace Park & Riverwalk, Brown University, Rhode Island School of Design, the Museum of Art, Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence Preservation Society, and the Rhode Island State House.
  
• The Memorial is within the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. One of their visitor centers and the Slater Mill Historic Site, the Birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution are located 6 miles north in Pawtucket, RI.
  
• Just 15 minutes away, the Roger Williams Park, Museum and Zoo, not to be confused with the National Memorial, is operated by the City of Providence and supported by the Rhode Island Zoological Society.
  
• Newport, America's First Resort, is located on the ocean, less than 25 miles from Providence.
  
• A constellation of National Park Service sites in the Boston area are within a one hour drive from Providence. Information and maps can be obtained at the Memorial Visitor Center.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

For more information about the surrounding areas, contact:

• Rhode Island Tourism Division, (1-401-277-2601, 1-800-556-2484);
  
• Providence & Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau (1-800-233-1636);
  
• City of Providence, the Mayor's Web Site;

• E-mail your comments or questions to the staff at Roger Williams National Memorial.

Please come back at a later date to view our Extended World-Wide Web Site.

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Last Updated:Monday, 03-Nov-97 15:06:18
http://www.nps.gov/rowi/