2019 Events (in a List format) *see also our calendar
Smith’s Castle Docents and Greeters Training
Tuesday March 26th 3pm-5pm we will begin our 2019 training session with an overview of the 5 week program.
Are you looking for a rewarding local volunteer experience that offers you the opportunity to share your interest in the past with people of all ages from all over? Smith’s Castle is currently seeking men and women to join our dedicated team of docents and greeters. On Tuesday, March 26th (3:00-5:00 pm), we will be beginning our 2019 Training Session with an overview of the 5-week program, a presentation of Castle history and a walk-through tour. Won’t you join us?
To let us know you will be coming or if you would like further information, please contact Joyce Fuller (401-294-9650), Marilyn Harris (401-481-2530) or the castle at 401-294-3521
For more information about the Castle, visit our website at http://www.smithscastle.org/.
Get to know smith’s castle
Saturday March 30th 10am-2pm
Get to know North Kingstown’s historic landmark Smith’s Castle on Saturday March 30th at the North Kingstown Public Library 100 Boone St. N. Kingstown, RI
Exhibits and talks on the Castle’s 380 year-old history on Post Road, colonial crafts for children, take a picture in colonial garb, learn about membership or volunteering, and meet some of the docents who bring that history to life each year for residents and visitors to Rhode Island, and learn what programming and events are planned for the coming season.
Cookies and light refreshments will also be available.
Comedy Fundraiser to Benefit Smith’s Castle
Friday April 5th at 6:30pm Show starts at 7:30pm
New England’s best comedians will provide entertainment at a Comedy Fundraiser for the benefit of Smith’s Castle. Doors at the Laurel Lane Country Club (309 Laurel Lane, West Kingstown) will open at 6:30pm with the show starting at 7:30pm for an evening of fun. In addition to a 90min stand-up comedy show (PG-13, but adults only please), hors d’ oeuvres, a cash bar, raffles, and a 50/50 drawing will add to your enjoyment. Your support will help with the Smith’s Castle Association maintain this North Kingstown treasure. Dedicated volunteers provided the daily “elbow grease” for the Castle’s programs as docents, officers, and volunteers, but we rely on your community assistance for the financial backing necessary to keep the doors of this historic home open.
For Tickets to the Comedy Night, to donate to the Castle or to be a sponsor for this event, please visit www.funny4funds.com/events and scroll down to our event date (4/5). Tickets are $25. Why not plan an evening out for a group of friends?
For more information, please contact Bob Stone at 401-258-1599 or rbsoffice02@aol.com
Windows Day
Saturday April 13th 8/9am-12pm Volunteers welcome! Come help us open the windows of the Castle up and do some light spring cleaning to get the Castle ready for the season.
Open house Saturday
Saturday May 4th 10am-4pm
Welcoming the community to the 2019 season! Activities include tours of the house museum, trails, and gardens. Demonstrations including hearth cooking, butter making, tool making…bake sale, gift shop, and entertainment. Donations greatly appreciated.
An evening with…Tim Cranston
Thursday May 9th 6:00 p.m.
Tim Cranston
“The Women of Wickford”
G. Timothy Cranston is North Kingstown’s town historian and has written a weekly column for the Independent for twenty years. He is the author of numerous titles including the “Walking In Olde Wickford” series, as well as “We Were Here Too: Selected Stories of Black History in North Kingston. His work as a historian and preservation advocate through his non-profit corporation "Swamptown Enterprises" has garnered education and advocacy awards.
$5 suggested donation
uri master gardeners PRESENTATION
Saturday June 1st 10am-2pm
Colonial Gardening is Organic Gardening
$5 donation requested
Tea and Local history
Sunday June 2nd 4pm
Guest Lynne Heinzmann: “The Curious Childhood of Wanton Chase” her new book about a boyhood spent on Rose Island
$10 person, free to members
an evening with… professor linford fisher (brown)
Tuesday June 11th 6pm
“The Rise and Fall of Slavery in the Atlantic World”
Professor Lin Fisher is leading a team of scholars in the creation of the Database of Indigenous Slavery in the Americans (DISA). In addition to creating this important database, Fisher is completing a book entitled Atlantic Passages: The Rise and Fall of Native Slavery in the Atlantic World, which will be published by Oxford University Press.
$5 suggested donation
Strawberry Festival
Saturday June 15th (rain date June 16th) 12pm-4pm
Come and enjoy a fun day with delicious strawberry shortcake. Strawberries are here! And shortcake is king! Enjoy the favorite fruit of the indigenous people and early colonists alike.
rise-up paranormal event
June 15th
more details to come
An evening with…Robert grandchamp
Tuesday July 2nd 6pm
“Rhode Island’s Sacrifice in the Civil War”
Robert Grandchamp is a twelfth generation Rhode Islander and is widely regarded as the nation’s leading authority on Rhode Island Civil War history. He earned his MA in American History from Rhode Island College where he studied Rhode Island History under Dr. Stan Lemons. Robert is the author of nine books including, The Seventh Rhode Island Infantry, Rhody Redlegs, Colonel Edward E. Cross: New Hampshire Fighting Fifth, A Civil War Biography, The Boys of Adams’ Battery G, Rhode Island and the Civil War: Voices from the Ocean State, and the forthcoming A Connecticut Yankee at War: The Life and Letters of George Lee Gaskell. A former National Park Ranger he is an analyst with the government and resides in northern Vermont.
$5 suggested donation
Tea and local history
Sunday July 7th 4pm
Guests: URI Master Gardeners talk about the history of their involvement with Smith’s Castle and give a tour of the Colonial Garden and adjacent gardens.
$10 per person, members are free
Pot luck supper: members and their guests only
July 11th 6pm-8pm
see members corner for more details
An evening with…Christian Mcburney
Friday July 19th 6pm
“Rhode Islanders in World War II, Vol. II”
Christian McBurney Has Written Five Books On The American Revolutionary War, Including Kidnapping The Enemy: The Special Operations To Capture Generals Charles Lee & Richard Prescott. His Published Articles Include One In Mhq: The Journal Of Military History, On The British Attempt To Abduct George Washington, Which Was Nominated By The U.S. Army Historical Foundation As Best Magazine Article For 2017. He is also the co- author of “World War II Rhode Island” . Christian also Publishes Rhode Island’s Leading History Blog (www.smallstatebighistory.com). He Is An Attorney In Washington, D.C.
$5 suggested donation
rise-up paranormal event
August 10th
more details to come
pot luck supper: members and their guests only
September 10th 6pm-8pm
see members corner for more details
Tea and local history
Sunday September 15th 4pm
Guests: TBA
$10 per person, members are free
rise-up paranormal event
September 21st
more details to come
Tea and local history
Sunday October 6th 4pm
Guests: TBA
$10 per person, members are free
harvest Festival: Dairy days
Saturday October 19th (rain date October 20th) 12pm-4pm
Come learn about Smith’s Castle during its days as a dairy operation. Children’s games, music, the bounty of the harvest. All of this and apple crisp too! Relax and enjoy a fine autumn day!
what’s it worth wickford?
October 26th
more details to come
rise-up paranormal event
October 26th
more details to come
Rise-up paranormal event
November 16th
more details to come
Christmas at the castle
Saturday December 7th and Sunday December 8th 12pm-4pm both days
The best time of the year! The aroma of home baked treats will fill Smith’s Castle along with the spices of mulled cider and the scents of the season. Enjoy some cider, good conversation, and the music of the season.
