Announcing his intention to preserve the religious liberties of all Americans, then new-president George Washington sent a hand-written letter to the Touro Synagogue in Newport. Located on Touro Street, the synagogue is the oldest in America and is registered as a national historic site. Still, according to Keith Stokes, executive director of the Newport Chamber of Commerce, many residents and visitors to the state don’t know it’s there, nor do they understand it’s significance.
In fact, according to chamber executives from around the state, many of Rhode Island’s undiscovered attractions are rooted deep in the state’s history.
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“It’s really what we are calling heritage tourism,” Stokes said. “Most people think of places like Plymouth Plantation and Sturbridge Village, but we have things like that here, and they aren’t re-creations.”
Stokes said for generations, Newport was the first leg in the slave trade market, and artifacts from that time have remained part of the city, including the oldest African American Church and a common burial ground that dates back to 1698. The Newport Historical Society has created a tour surrounding the history and offers it year-round by appointment, Stokes said.
“It’s wonderful for us to promote beyond the wonderful mansions and waterfronts,” he said. “Newport is really beginning to promote itself as a major part of history with original buildings and original stories.”
Those historic stories are continued across Narragansett Bay where Karla Driscoll, executive director of the North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce said one of the area’s greatest hidden treasures is Smith’s Castle. Winner of the 1998 National Preservation Honor Award, Smith’s Castle is the oldest surviving plantation house in the nation. Smith’s Castle is on Route 1 in North Kingstown just north of Wickford.
“Smith’s Castle was the plantation home of Richard Smith,” she said. “It’s really unique to our state. I think residents often get complacent about things that are here, and forget what gems they are.”
Carol Wilcox, executive director of the South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce, said the site of the Great Swamp battle of 1675, located in the woods off Route 2 in West Kingston is a part of Rhode Island history that few residents have actually visited.
Wilcox said she also rediscovered the Kingston Railway Station this summer after renovations were completed on the century-old building.
“You feel like you are stepping back in time, into an old train station,” she said. “From the facade of the building to the wooden benches inside, it’s really lovely.”
The Saugatucket River has been uncovered recently, Wilcox said, thanks to the efforts of a number of local organizations that have been working to clean it up.
“We have added benches for people to sit and enjoy the river,” she said. “It’s something very serene and it remained undiscovered as an attraction for some time because it was hidden behind the shops of Main Street (in Wakefield).”
In northern Rhode Island, the Blackstone River has been rediscovered. According to Bob Billington, president of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, the river is becoming the center of family-fun activities.
“A lot of people are coming out to fish on our river,” he said. “It’s starting to become more fished than some of the Rhode Island rivers. People are coming up to fish for trout and bass. Fly-fishing is also becoming very popular, though we are not suggesting that people eat the fish. It’s just for catch and release.”
Many of Rhode Island’s undiscovered treasures could also be found by walking on one of many hiking trails around the state. The Nature Conservancy in Rhode Island has protected more than 13,000 acres for the enjoyment of residents and visitors. Lime Rock Preserve located 10 minutes north of Providence in Lincoln, the preserve is adjacent to the Moshassuck River. Preserved in 1986, Lime Rock is considered to be one of Rhode Island’s top natural areas because of its unique and abundant plant life. According to records the region has captured the interest of many notable botanists who have visited the area over the last century.
Twelve miles of trail, known as The Greenway, were opened on Block Island. The paths wind through almost every area of the Island creating a unique opportunity for nature-enthusiasts and bird watchers.
The Nature Conservancy has also helped a number of communities preserve land through joint projects, many of which are open to the public.
