Rhode Island Historical Society facts for kids
The Rhode Island Historical Society is a group that helps collect, save, and share the story of Rhode Island. It started in 1822 and has its main offices in Providence, Rhode Island. This organization is supported by people who join and donate money to help keep history alive.
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The Story So Far
The Rhode Island Historical Society began in 1822. It is one of the oldest historical groups in the United States! Only three other state historical societies are older: the Massachusetts Historical Society, the New-York Historical Society, and the Maine Historical Society.
Many kind people from Providence helped start and fund the Society. These early supporters, sometimes called Yankee philanthropists, included important figures like Moses Brown and Henry J. Steere. They gave money to help good causes.
In 1854, a part of the Rhode Island Historical Society in the south of the state became its own group. It was reorganized and is now known as the Newport Historical Society.
As of October 2022, the person in charge of the Society is C. Morgan Grefe, Ph.D. The head of its board is Robert H. Sloan, Jr.
What the Society Does
The Society has the biggest and most important collection of Rhode Island history. You can find this collection in its main library and two museums.
The Society's collections are huge! They include about 25,000 objects, like old tools or clothing. There are also 5,000 old handwritten papers, called manuscripts. You can find 100,000 books and printed items, plus 400,000 photos and maps. They even have 9 million feet of old movie film!
Learning and Programs
The Newell D. Goff Center for Education and Public Programs offers many ways to learn. They have workshops, talks, films, and walking tours around Providence. These tours help you explore the city's history.
In recent years, the Society has worked a lot with teachers. They help improve how history is taught in Rhode Island schools. The Society also puts on exhibits, shows films, holds concerts, and hosts many other fun community events.
The Society publishes a journal called Rhode Island History. It comes out two or three times a year. This journal shares stories about different parts of Rhode Island's past, from very old times to more recent days.
Recent Achievements
The Society has made some great improvements recently. They now have an online catalog where you can search their collections. This makes it easier to find historical items.
They also completed a big project to restore the historic John Brown House. This project cost $2.5 million and was finished in 2010.
Places to Visit
The Society owns and takes care of several important buildings and museums:
- The Robinson Research Center (library) is at 121 Hope Street in Providence. This is where you can do research.
- The John Brown House Museum is at 52 Power Street in Providence. It was built in 1786 and is a National Historic Landmark.
- The Nelson W. Aldrich House is at 110 Benevolent Street in Providence. This building is the Society's headquarters and also a National Historic Landmark. It was built in 1822.
- The Museum of Work and Culture is at 42 South Main Street in Woonsocket. This museum tells the story of different ethnic groups in northern Rhode Island.
See also
- List of libraries in Rhode Island
