33
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→Divine Providence
*** RI State House - When built in early 20th century RI was 2nd richest state; so now we're tied with Michigan for highest unemployment, and continue to rely on the state motto: "Hope". Still, it remains a majestic space, worth a visit, and so close to code4lib! Give a call-out to the guy on top: the Independent Man.
*** Roger Williams National Memorial - Thank Roger for separation of church & state and freedom of religion; nice video gives the basics of Providence's founding after Massachusetts kicked him out, his unique respect and cooperation with Native Americans, etc. A visit here qualifies you to say "What Cheer, Netop!" with aplomb.
*** Cross Main Street, and walk up Star or Church Street next to the (Episcopal) Cathedral of St. John, to Benefit Street, and turn right for a stroll along "a mile of history" past a variety of 18th and 19th century buildings. Notice the old State House, where Rhode Island declared independence from England two months prior to the declaration of independence.
***First Baptist Church of America. One of those enchanting "colonial" churches, lovely inside and out. Unlike most of the rest of New England, Rhode Islanders didn't build their churches on village greens, lest the clergy keep too close an eye on things.
*** RISD (riz-dee) Museum. With a little bit of everything, this gem serves up art from ancient Egypt to now in easily digestible morsels. Wonderful new addition provides, among other things, an excellent 20th century gallery. Also, don't miss the Buddha. Enter on South Main or Benefit.
***Providence Athenaeum - Helps you remember why you care about libraries. Edgar Allen Poe is said to have had trysts with his sweetie, Helen, here, adding to the charm. Going up College Street, your arrive at Prospect Street, with Brown's John Hay Library to the left and the Rockefeller Library to the right.
***Lincoln and Lovecraft at the John Hay Library. John Hay was Lincoln's Secretary of State and a Brown alum; give his nose a rub as generations of Brown students have. Currently some very nice Lincoln material is on exhibit on the main floor, and nine display cases of quirky Providence native son H. P. Lovecraft manuscripts and publications are in the Lownes Room. Check out the room devoted to toy soldiers (Anne S. K. Brown Military Collection, 3rd floor) and the Audubon elephant folio in the lobby.
***Brown University central campus. Enter through the Van Wickle gates (that open in for opening convocation, and open out for commencement.) University Hall, the "college edifice" housed French soldiers during the Revolutionary War. The Greek Temple next to it was the second building: a library of course! Now it houses an always-interesting selection of artifacts from the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthrolopology. Walk between these two buildings, and cross the main green; one of the perks for Brown presidents is the right to graze sheep here. Head between the next row of buildings and go down the steps (notice Marcus Aurelius, copied from Rome). This green, Lincoln Field, was the original athletic field. (Aside: Brown was in--and lost--the first Rose Bowl game.) Pass through Soldiers Arch, memorializing Brown men and women who died in military service. ***Thayer Street. The 14-story concrete monolith to your left (a much-maligned example of the brutalist style of the 1970's) is the Sciences Library. Nice view from the upper floors; on the 13th floor look south to see Narragansett Bay. You might want to visit our newish 24-hour Friedman Study Center on the lower level--hugely popular with students. Beyond it, to the north, are several blocks of restaurants and shops, Providence's mini-version of Harvard Square. But turn right (south) instead.***Power Street.
* History
* Trivia
