April 7, 2024
Dear HistWick members and friends,
Please check out the activities below; several may be of interest to you and a delightful way to step into the spring season. The 350th Anniversary Speaker Series, a huge success, will move the lectures that were previously scheduled to be held at the library to the North Kingstown Town Hall on Boston Neck Road. Two upcoming lectures are described in this email.
Watch for details in a future HistWick Herald about our annual meeting. This event, held on the lovely grounds of Smith’s Castle, has become a popular annual event for the community of HistWick members. The HistWick board is busy planning a late May meeting.
Over the next few weeks, I hope to see you on one of my strolls in town that will be made even more lovely with the pots of colorful daffodils made possible through Daffodil Days (see below for more information).
My very best to all,
Mary Ann Hackett, President
Historic Wickford, Inc.
www.HistWick.org
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350th Anniversary Speaker Series
The Story of Slocum: Villages of North Kingstown
Thursday April 11 6:30 pm
Town Hall, Boston Neck Road
View the premiere of a film on the Village of Slocum, featuring interviews with Alvin Noss, the longtime Slocum resident who passed away at age 106 in 2020. Mr. Noss’ detailed recollections capture the changes in the village over a vast span of time.
The film producer, Donna Desautels, will be present about the film’s creation and historians Tim Cranston and Jim Garman will offer details on the history of Slocum Village.
This event coincides with an April through May exhibit of historic Slocum Village items on display at the North Kingstown Free Library.
North Kingstown and the Revolutionary War
Thursday April 18 6:30 pm
Town Hall, Boston Neck Road
The Battle of Rhode Island Association Lecture Series sponsored by Americana Corner continues to collaborate with the North Kingstown 350th Anniversary Speaker Series. Historian Christian McBurney will speak on the 18th about American Revolutionary War heroes from Wickford focusing on Major Samuel Phillips, Captain George Babcock, Captain Thomas Cole, and Private Jack Fones of the famous Black Regiment.
Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Christian McBurney, who resides in Washington, DC (and West Kingstown), was raised in Kingston Rhode Island. He has authored several books on the American Revolutionary War and founded and is editor of a Rhode Island history blog at www.smallstatebighistory.com
Please note: Space at Town Hall is limited and on a first-come basis. Lectures are recorded and available on the NK 350th YouTube channel (@NorthKingstown 350th) soon after the presentation.
Daffodil Days
April 11 to April 14
Wickford Village
Come and celebrate spring as Wickford Village celebrates Daffodil Days. Activities include a sip and stroll on Thursday from 5 to 8 pm with a rain date of Friday, April 12. Saturday’s activities (4/13) include a walk through Brown Street with Tim Cranston at 10 am. The day will also offer a petting zoo, sidewalk chalk art, and Serendipity’s Daffy Dog Parade—back by popular demand. So deck out your much loved dog to take part in the parade! Meet at Town Hall, Boston Neck Road, at 11:45 am and parade into town to the Serendipity Shop on Main Street.
To see details of all the activities go to: www.facebook.com/ilovewickfordvillage. The weekend will certainly be fun-filled!
Mother’s Day Tea
Smith’s Castle
Saturday May 11 4:30 to 6 pm
On Saturday, May 11th, Smith’s Castle will host a Mother’s Day Tea with commentary on the history of the holiday and musical entertainment by Mark Burnham and Paul Paravano. Seating is limited (20), but a few places are still available at $25/person. Make reservations online: https://www.smithscastle.org/
Wickford Village and Beyond News
HistWick Supports Tree Planting across the Town
The Historic Wickford (HistWick) board of directors recently approved $1,000 for planting eight trees this year—one in each of the villages in North Kingstown. As HistWick did approximately 3 years ago when we planted 12 trees (all doing well!), we will coordinate with Plum Beach Garden Club and the town Conservation Commission and its Tree Warden on this effort. The planting of the trees celebrates North Kingstown’s 350th anniversary and will gift current and future residents of the town.
Tree of Life Sculpture
In coordination with the North Kingstown Arts Council, Plum Beach Garden Club and HistWick, have supported displaying the Tree of Life sculpture by the late Ken MacDonald, a local and award winning artist. The town will mount the sculpture on the rock located in the center of the brick walkway in Old Library Park on Brown Street.
This initiative is a 350th anniversary project of the Arts Council and will honor Ken MacDonald’s legacy as a renown local artist. The council plans to produce a brochure and map for people to locate Ken’s many other sculptures across the town, e.g., some in gardens of private homes and the stainless steel sculpture at the town beach.
Harbor View Artisans
If you are looking for the Harbor View Artisan shop, they have moved! Formerly located in the parking area behind Shayna’s, they are now on 24 Brown Street. The gallery displays the works of local artisans—original paintings, photography, jewelry, and acrylic, wood, and fabric arts and crafts.
