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Lincoln’s Great Road Day
A great day indeed―with six different museum sites open and free admission for families to tour at their own pace―you can’t go wrong with so much to explore in one fantastically historic place! Taking place during late September when leaves start to change their colors, a day trip along this route is sure to be beautiful. The historic homes, farms, and mills create a rolling landscape along the Great Road Historic District, which retains much of the Blackstone Valley’s early 19th-century rural character.
There is parking at each site with the exception of the Moffett Mill, which is accessible only by shuttle bus from Hearthside House.
Hearthside, Arnold House, and Hannaway Blacksmith Shop & Chase Farm Park are participating Rhody Ramble sites. Check out overviews of all the Great Road sites. Select the places you want to see, or visit all!
Smith’s Castle’s Harvest Festival
Where four centuries of Rhode Island history are preserved and interpreted―there is also much celebration! At this two-day festival, enjoy fall’s bounty, play games, dance and enjoy music from folk-rock duo Duck & Run on Saturday, and piano virtuoso and entertainer Jack Picard on Sunday. “Selfies” can be taken in the colonial photo booth, Uncle Sam will be in full regalia, and Smith Castle’s famous homemade apple crisp will be the cherry on top.
Admission: $8 adults; $4 children age 6 to 12; under 6 free; $25 family cap; discount for active military and seniors.
And One for the Pot: Tea & Treason
Do your children have a penchant for acting out their imaginations? Check out “And One for the Pot: Tea & Treason” taking place at the South Kingstown Land Trust Barn where costumed interpreters take you back to the past as they portray upper-class residents in Rhode Island during the 1770s. Explore tea brewing, tea etiquette and the place of tea in colonial America, along with the influence of politics on this popular practice.
Admission: $10 per person; $2 discount for South County History Center, Newport Historical Society and Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum members. Tickets must be purchased in advance, and admission includes a tea reception following the program. Click to purchase tickets.
Hosted by The South County History Center, in partnership with the Newport Historical Society and the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum.
Fossil Frenzy Weekend
From the Coal Age to the Ice Age, the museum’s collection of fossil specimens brings the past to life. Come join in the festivities and see fossilized plants and animals that once roamed the Earth. Family activities are a perfect way to get your hands into history! Go on a special fossil quest, tackle a fossil puzzle, or make your own trilobite mask.
Cost: Free w/ museum admission
Climb Beavertail Light Tower
Saturdays, June 18, July 2, July 30, August 27, Sept 10, Sept 24
Sundays, July 17, August 14, October 9
Enjoy an opportunity to climb the lighthouse tower and admire panoramic views of Narragansett Bay. The Tower is open to climb twice each month from June through September. Begin your visit with a tour of the museum and learn about America’s 3rd oldest lighthouse. Tower openings are weather dependent; if uncertain, call (401) 423-3270. Suggested donation of $5 per adult.
Some considerations for climbing the tower:
Climbers must be at least 4 ft tall.
Climbers are urged to wear footwear other than flip flops.
Neither small children nor pets may be carried.
Climbers must be in line by 3:30 pm to climb tower before closing.
And One for the Pot: Tea & Treason
Do your children have a penchant for acting out their imaginations? Check out “And One for the Pot: Tea & Treason” where costumed interpreters take you back to the past as they portray upper-class residents in Rhode Island during the 1770s. Taking place at the Newport Historical Society’s Resource Center, visitors to this event can explore tea brewing, tea etiquette and the place of tea in colonial America, along with the influence of politics on this popular practice.
This program ties into the Newport Historical Society’s Newport Eats history of food initiative along with the South County History Center’s 2016-2017 series Taverns, Teapots and Temperance: South County in a Cup. Hosted in partnership between The South County History Center, the Newport Historical Society and the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum.
Admission: $5 per person; $1 for Newport Historical Society members along with South County History Center and Boston Tea Party Ships Museum members. Please RSVP to: 401-841-8770.
Traditional New England SCARES!
Experience spooky tales and trails around the campfire at historic Coggeshall Farm Museum. Discover the origins of hair-raising stories that have endured for 200 years, like “The Demon in Exeter” (a dramatic retelling of the Mercy Lena Brown story) or the chilling tale of the headless horseman!
Appropriate for ages 8 and older.
For more information or to preregister, contact e.langham@coggeshallfarm.org.
Family Movie Night: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Rated [G], running time 85 min.
Registration before 2:00 pm on the day of the movie (if not sooner) is required in order to provide refreshments for everyone.
Please contact Lindsay at 401-421-6970 or lshaw@provath.org to register.
The Great Pumpkin Hunt
Blithewold is offering a unique way to pick out your pumpkin this year! Participate in a search for hidden pumpkins around the estate grounds, and then take one home to carve! After the hunt, enjoy music and hot cider; order some snacks from on-site food trucks, and listen to (and join in on!) a discussion about constellations in the night sky during a special “star program” around a bonfire.
Registration required. Member $15; includes pumpkin. Non-member $18; includes pumpkin. Participant $8; does not include pumpkin.
Lanterns & Legends
Learn some of South County’s creepiest history, including brazen murders, gruesome executions and supposed vampires during this Halloween theme tour of the old Washington County Jail. Take the chance to view grim artifacts not usually on display and explore the historic building in low lighting.
Tours will be offered on October 21st, 22nd, 28th and 29th at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Tours on Halloween, October 31st, will be offered at 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for Center members and students (including college).
Tickets must be purchased prior to the event.
Space is limited, and tours are expected to quickly sell out.
Lanterns may be purchased with ticket for an additional $7!