2019 Events (in a List format) *see also our calendar
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 starts at 4pm
Hosted by Mary Katherine Goddard (1738-1816) as interpreted by Marilyn Harris, who will share stories of her mother and her amazing family’s contribution to the American Revolution.
Limited seating: call to reserve a place
$10 suggested donation
rise-up paranormal event
September 21st 7pm-12am
A Midnight Visit in Smith’s Castle with the Paranormal Group RISEUP
(The last standing building, in Rhode Island, where Roger Williams preached & Benjamin Franklin visited while plotting Post Road)
Come join the paranormal investigators group, RISEUP, as you walk the same floors as Roger Williams and Benjamin Franklin did at Smith’s Castle (built in 1678), from 7 pm to midnight. Participants must be at least 16 years old; cost is $35 per person pre-paid and non-refundable. For reservations call: (401) 294-3521 or e-mail:smithscastle55@gmail.com the evening visits are limited to ten people. Smith’s Castle is located at 55 Richard Smith Drive, off Post Road, north of the State Police Barracks in North Kingstown, RI.
Roger waS hEre
Saturday September 28th 9am-4pm
A day-long seminar on the life and work of Roger Williams at Cocumscussoc featuring presenters G. Timothy Cranston, Charlotte Carrington-Farmer, Robert A. Geake, J.Stanley Lemons, John McNiff, Lorén Spears, and James Warren.
Beyond his fame as the founder of our colony, the average Rhode Islander knows little about Roger Williams. On Saturday, September 28th (9am-4pm) at the Smith’s Castle’s Seminar “Roger was Here,” Rhode Island history enthusiasts and students will have an opportunity to remedy that gap. Williams’ impact reached far beyond what is generally known, to affect some of the core beliefs expressed in the U.S. Constitution, particularly in relation to governance, tolerance and individual freedoms, issues as relevant today as they were when he lived in the late 17th century. Much of his work was conceived at North Kingstown’s own Smith’s Castle and its site, Cocumscussoc.
Two prominent keynote speakers will participate in the event and speak about their recent books. J. Stanley Lemons, Professor Emeritus at Rhode Island College, is co-author of Decoding Roger Williams: The Lost Essay of Rhode Island’s Founding Father, analyzing Wiliams’ final theological treatise. James A, Warren, an independent scholar, is the author of God, War, and Providence: The Epic Struggle of Roger Williams and the Narragansett Indians against the Puritans of New England.
Participants will also have the opportunity to attend break-out sessions by other presenters in the morning and afternoon. Tim Cranston, North Kingstown Town Historian, Charlotte Carrington-Farmer, Associate Professor of History at Roger Williams College, and John McNiff, Superintendent Ranger at the Roger Wiliams Memorial Park will join to present “Roger Williams: Early Life and Works.” Lorén Spears, educator, essayist, artist and Director of the Tomaquag Museum, will present “A New Key into the Language of America,” related to Roger Williams’ 1643 book describing 17th century New England native languages.
Opening remarks by Smith’s Castle President Chet Browning and Seminar Organizer and Moderator Robert A. Geake will be followed by and Indigenous Blessing by Lorén Spears and a presentation by Charles Laurent’s Rocky Hill School students. A Panel Discussion of all presenters, moderated by Seminar Organizer and Historian, Robert A. Geake, will conclude the day.
Admission $35.00
students $10.00
seniors $10.00
Continental breakfast and lunch included with admission.
This program is made possible by generous donations from the Friends of Smith's Castle and the North Kingstown Arts Council.
Tours of Smith’s Castle and the grounds available for all attendees.
Early registration form now available online. This program made possible by the Friends of Smith’s Castle and the North Kingstown Arts Council.
55 Richard Smith Dr. Wickford, R.I. 02852
Contact 401-294-3521 or email smithscastle55@gmail.com for more information
Print registration HERE
Tea and local history
Sunday October 6th 4pm
Guests: TBA
$10 suggested donation
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 7pm-12am
A Midnight Visit in Smith’s Castle with the Paranormal Group RISEUP
(The last standing building, in Rhode Island, where Roger Williams preached & Benjamin Franklin visited while plotting Post Road)
Come join the paranormal investigators group, RISEUP, as you walk the same floors as Roger Williams and Benjamin Franklin did at Smith’s Castle (built in 1678), from 7 pm to midnight. Participants must be at least 16 years old; cost is $35 per person pre-paid and non-refundable. For reservations call: (401) 294-3521 or e-mail:smithscastle55@gmail.com the evening visits are limited to ten people. Smith’s Castle is located at 55 Richard Smith Drive, off Post Road, north of the State Police Barracks in North Kingstown, RI.
Rise-up paranormal event
November 16th 7pm-12am
A Midnight Visit in Smith’s Castle with the Paranormal Group RISEUP
(The last standing building, in Rhode Island, where Roger Williams preached & Benjamin Franklin visited while plotting Post Road)
Come join the paranormal investigators group, RISEUP, as you walk the same floors as Roger Williams and Benjamin Franklin did at Smith’s Castle (built in 1678), from 7 pm to midnight. Participants must be at least 16 years old; cost is $35 per person pre-paid and non-refundable. For reservations call: (401) 294-3521 or e-mail:smithscastle55@gmail.com the evening visits are limited to ten people. Smith’s Castle is located at 55 Richard Smith Drive, off Post Road, north of the State Police Barracks in North Kingstown, RI.
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.
