The domed,
white marble building above is located at 1 State St., Providence,
RI. It is the State House for a little state that has lots of
big attractions. Our name is big like that State House too, The
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Roger Williams
founded Providence Plantations in 1636 when he was banished from
the Bay Colony of Massachusetts because his beliefs differed from
the set religious standards. You see, Roger Williams was a champion
of the ideal of religious freedom and the state was unable to
accept this. Rhode Island and Providence Plantations served as
a refuge where all could come to worship as their conscience dictated.
In the center of downtown Providence is a 4.5 acre landscaped
park with a memorial to Roger Williams in the center of it. Many
say that the "Lone Man," hewn in brass and standing
atop the large dome of our white marble State House, is yet another
memorial to the man who gave so much. Directly below are 2 pictures
of the memorial that stands proudly in the center of Prospect
Park.
Waterfire
Providence
This award
winning, multi-media event was created by artist Barnaby Evans
especially for the Providence riverfront. During the latest Providence
renaissance the mayor had the two rivers that run through the
city redirected and the city ended up with yet another beautiful
attraction. Waterplace Park was created and Mr. Evans created
Waterfire Providence in its celebration. He has set bonfires floating
on these rivers to light up the night sky. They are tended by
volunteers in boats who pass softly in front of the flames keeping
them burning from sunset till midnight. The accompanying music
comes from all over the world and evokes strong emotional response
while capturing the imagination of thousands.
The Fleet
Skating Center
Why go to
NYC when you can have it here? This Skating Center is the centerpiece
of the recent renaissance of our Providence Center. It may have
been the city who built it, but it was funded solely by private
donations. It is open year-round, offering ice skating in the
winter and roller skating in the summer. If you are visiting and
have forgotten your skates they also offer rental of each kind
of skates for a very reasonable price.
The Fleet
Skating Center is twice the size of New York's Rockefeller Center
and is able to hold hundreds of people at a time. It has two private
party rooms and a restaraunt alongside; there are also 180 new
apartments in the area where local artists can live free from
paying any sales or income taxes. There is also a black repertory
theater but a block away. The Fleet Center is truly the pride
of the revitalized downtown Providence area. It sits gracefully
in the center of the city, adjacent to the Providence City Hall.
Roger Williams
Park and Zoo
At the edge
of our city hundreds of acres have been set aside for the sole
enjoyment of our residents and their families. It is known as
Roger Williams Park an is the delight of many a person who has
gone there to picnic. Although much of the land is still in its
natural state with its tall shade trees allowing the sun through
only to dapple the ground in beauty, it also offers many landscaped
attractions to the visitor. The largest and most famous of these
attractions is seen above. This is Roger Williams Park Zoo. The
New York Times called it "one of the best zoo's in the country"
and The Boston Globe describes it as "New England's great
zoo." This zoo has habitually been home to many fascinating
creatures from around the world. Lots of them are endangered and
have been sent here to preserve and repopulate them. Ever seen
a naked mole rat or maybe a Masai giraffe? Well, you will here
and if it is the right time of year you will see their babies
as well. Walk through a tropical rain forest and observe the unique
tree-top exhibits, take the Marco Polo Trail and catch sight of
your first snow leopard; from an aviary for winged creatures to
an aquarium for underwater animals, this Zoo has it all! Forty
acres and over 1000 animals, year-round enjoyment for the whole
family.
