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Toe Jam Puppet Band
Bring a blanket and enjoy this hands‐on children’s entertainment that grown‐ups can actually enjoy. A dynamic group, the Toe Jam Puppet Band has a unique combination of original songs, masterful shadow puppetry, storytelling and just plain old good fun! $5 suggested donation.
Newport’s Rogues & Scoundrels
See where scoundrels lived, pirates profited and criminals were punished on an engaging stroll through the historic streets of Newport. These family-friendly tours work for those with little ones in strollers as well as older kids curious to hear about the dastardly deeds of the city’s early residents. Discover why this colony was known as “Rogue’s Island.”
Admission: $15 per person; $10 with button for repeat tour guests; $10 for Newport Historical Society members. Space is limited; call 401-841-8770 for reservations. For more, see the “Rogues & Scoundrels” walking tours that take place each week on Fridays. To check out the 2016 NHT walking tour brochure, click here.
RIHS’s “What Cheer Wednesdays” (for the infinitely curious)
Go behind the scenes to get a unique look at a day in the life of a museum. Each week “What Cheer Wednesdays” features a new theme, and these tour titles are sure to cue curiosity in kids and adults alike: “Third Floor Door Tour” and “Weird & Creepy Rhode Island,” as well as “Setting the 18th-Century Table” and “Morgan’s Favorites.”
On some days, there are two tours available for each event – so be sure to check the listing!
What Cheer Wednesdays upcoming schedule:
- September 14: What’s in the Basement at John Brown House Museum? (1:30pm & 3pm)
- September 21: Posters Celebrating the Opening of the National Museum of African American Heritage & Culture
- September 28: Morgan’s Favorites Tour — RIHS Executive Director takes guests through her favorite places and spaces in the John Brown House Museum. Tour at 2:30pm
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October 5: Character Research & Development for Oct. 22‘s What Cheer Day
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October 12: Dressing & UnDressing
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October 19: What Cheer Day Preview
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October 26: Weird & Creepy Rhode Island
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November 2: The Third Floor Doors Tour (1:30pm & 3pm)
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November 9: What’s in the Basement at John Brown House? (1:30pm & 3pm)
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November 16: The Mill Project at MoWC
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November 23: Setting the Table
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November 30: After Dark & Shutting Down the House
Free admission to John Brown House and the Museum of Work & Culture (with pop-up programming, too!) In addition, you’ll be able to learn more about the Museum of Work & Culture’s fascinating Mill Project in Woonsocket.
Newport County Days at Newport Mansions
Residents of all Newport County communities are invited to enjoy free admission to all of the Preservation Society’s properties: The Breakers, Chateau-sur-Mer, Chepstow, The Elms, Green Animals Topiary Garden, Hunter House, Isaac Bell House, Kingscote, Marble House & Rosecliff. Just show proof of residency (driver’s license or other identification with an address) to receive free admission. Check operating schedule for hours of operation and tour schedule for each house.
Nature Walks with Dr. Bob
It’s more likely you can count the few breaks between questions, than the number of times your child has pressed you for answers. Well, Dr. Bob of Casey Farm is armed with experience and prepared for the onslaught. Bring on the “what is that bird?” and “what wild animals live beyond those trees?” Go ahead and wonder “what marine life swims just offshore?” or “are those mushrooms poisonous?” Let your kids ask to their heart’s content during this hour-long walk through the fields, woodlands, and coastline of Casey Farm.
Admission: $6; walks occur on Sept. 17 & 24; Oct. 8
Coggeshall’s 43rd Annual Harvest Fair
Two full days of old-fashioned fun and games, with live music, yummy food, games, fun crafts, hay rides, pony rides, and much more. Against the backdrop of a working 18th century living history farm, visitors of all ages can try their hand at more than a dozen competitions (inspired from the 18th-century!) including corn shucking, sack races, and French & English (better known as tug-of-war).
On Saturday, award-winning duo, Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly, will perform traditional American and Celtic folk songs and percussive dance. Sunday’s performers will include Ladies of the Rolling Pin, who have been performing since 1988 and is one of the few all female Morris dance troupes (see more about this amazing group in Providence Monthly)
Grab some quintessential Rhode Island treats provided by a variety of food vendors, including CC’s Sweet Potatoes and Del’s Lemonade, along with Coggeshall Farm’s own famous jonnycakes. And if your idea of “competition” includes eating, there’s a Harvest Fair Bake Off you can enter for just $5. This year’s theme is pumpkin pie and a cash prize will be awarded to the victors at 3 p.m. each day.
Admission: Entrance to Harvest Fair is $7 for adults; $5 for children 4-11, seniors, and active military; free for children under 4 and Coggeshall members. The entrance fee includes games, competitions, performances and selected craft activities. Additional activities include pony rides ($6), hay rides ($2) and specialty crafts ($2-$5).
American Girl Weavers at Slater Mill
Explore the Mill on a specially themed tour hosted in partnership with the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council’s American Girl Weekend. Learn about the lives and livelihoods of their favorite American Girls, Samantha and Felicity, at the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution, Weave your own friendship bracelet and belt on mini-looms.
Admission: $35, price includes one child and one accompanying adult.
RIHS’s “What Cheer Wednesdays” (for the infinitely curious)
Go behind the scenes to get a unique look at a day in the life of a museum. Each week “What Cheer Wednesdays” features a new theme, and these tour titles are sure to cue curiosity in kids and adults alike: “Third Floor Door Tour” and “Weird & Creepy Rhode Island,” as well as “Setting the 18th-Century Table” and “Morgan’s Favorites.”
On September 21st, What Cheer Wednesdays is participating in a national and international celebration of the National Museum of African American Heritage & Culture, featuring a set of unique and highly informative posters about the museum and the collection.
The official opening of the Smithsonian Museum is on September 24th, but if you cannot get to D.C. this What Cheer Wednesday installment is a perfect way to get a taste of the NMAAHC’s sprawling collections.
What Cheer Wednesdays upcoming schedule:
- September 28: Morgan’s Favorites Tour — RIHS Executive Director takes guests through her favorite places and spaces in the John Brown House Museum. Tour at 2:30pm
-
October 5: Character Research & Development for Oct. 22‘s What Cheer Day
-
October 12: Dressing & UnDressing
-
October 19: What Cheer Day Preview
-
October 26: Weird & Creepy Rhode Island
-
November 2: The Third Floor Doors Tour (1:30pm & 3pm)
-
November 9: What’s in the Basement at John Brown House? (1:30pm & 3pm)
-
November 16: The Mill Project at MoWC
-
November 23: Setting the Table
-
November 30: After Dark & Shutting Down the House
Free admission to John Brown House and the Museum of Work & Culture (with pop-up programming, too!) In addition, you’ll be able to learn more about the Museum of Work & Culture’s fascinating Mill Project in Woonsocket.
Rhode Island & Free Smithsonian Museum Day
Museum Day Live! is an annual celebration of boundless curiosity hosted by Smithsonian magazine. Participating museums and cultural institutions across Rhode Island are providing free entry.
Below are a few of Rhody Ramble historic sites hosting free events! To find other local sites, click here.
Paine House Heritage Day
Coventry is a secret pocket of Rhode Island history, and the past gets a lively jolt at Paine House Museum’s 7th Annual Heritage Day with music performances by the Providence Brigade Band and demonstrations by the Rhode Island Spinners Guild. Take a free tour of Paine house (ca. 1691), try out candle dipping, weaving, butter making, pumpkin painting and other crafts. Have your kids try the “fast-food of olden times,” with old-fashioned hot dogs, johnny cakes, popcorn, Birch beer, sarsaparilla, and cider.