Betsey Williams Cottage Opening

August 9, 2018 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

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In the 1773 cottage that today sits beneath a massive sycamore tree, Betsey Williams, the great-great-great granddaughter of Roger Williams, was born and raised with her sister Rhoda. The surrounding fields and marshes were their playground, and as adults their livelihood. Β It was in the cottage that the sisters wove cloth to supplement their income and also invited neighbors to dine and dance with them. Upon her death in 1871, Betsey bequeathed the cottage and 102 acres of surrounding farmland to the city of Providence, which became the foundation of Roger Williams Park.

Join an opening reception for the beautifully restored Betsey Williams Cottage, which hasn’t been open to the public for nearly three decades:

  • Explore the cottage and learn about its preservation, history, and significance to Roger Williams Park
  • Share your ideas for the Park, and for future uses of the cottage
  • Hear lively tunes by the Vox Hunters, whose repertoire includes historic Rhode Island music

Free and open to the public. Please click here to RSVP.

To learn more about efforts to revitalize Roger Williams Park, visit www.RWPConservancy.org.

This event is presented by the Roger Williams Park Conservancy, in partnership with the City of Providence Parks Department and Doors Open Rhode Island. Β The restoration of Betsey Williams Cottage was funded by the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission and the Rhode Island Foundation’s Campaign for Roger Williams Park.

Details

  • Date: August 9, 2018
  • Time:
    5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Organizer

A friendly heads up to Park-goers: Maple and Pine avenues at Cladastris Avenue are temporarily closed for approximately 4-6 weeks, limiting vehicle access to Park Avenue via FC Greene Memorial Boulevard.

This temporary closure makes way for boardwalk construction at Cunliff Lake, a public access project that will enhance recreational opportunities at Roger Williams Park!

During this period, traffic will be detoured to park entrance and exit locations at Broad Street and Montgomery Avenue and Elmwood Avenue. Drivers using the Elmwood Avenue exit will follow Cladastris Avenue to FC Greene Memorial Boulevard to Linden Avenue to Elmwood Avenue south to Park Avenue east. Those using the Broad Street and Montgomery Avenue exit will follow Cladastris Avenue to Montgomery Avenue to Broad Street south to Warwick Avenue south to Park Avenue west.

Pedestrian and bicycle access will remain open. However, visitors are advised to follow posted signage and respect all barriers, as a crane will be active weekdays from 7AM to 3PM.

For updates and more information about the project, follow @pvdparks

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Open post by rogerwilliamspark with ID 18386967754183245
A friendly heads up to Park-goers: Maple and Pine avenues at Cladastris Avenue are temporarily closed for approximately 4-6 weeks, limiting vehicle access to Park Avenue via FC Greene Memorial Boulevard. This temporary closure makes way for boardwalk construction at Cunliff Lake, a public access project that will enhance recreational opportunities at Roger Williams Park! During this period, traffic will be detoured to park entrance and exit locations at Broad Street and Montgomery Avenue and Elmwood Avenue. Drivers using the Elmwood Avenue exit will follow Cladastris Avenue to FC Greene Memorial Boulevard to Linden Avenue to Elmwood Avenue south to Park Avenue east. Those using the Broad Street and Montgomery Avenue exit will follow Cladastris Avenue to Montgomery Avenue to Broad Street south to Warwick Avenue south to Park Avenue west. Pedestrian and bicycle access will remain open. However, visitors are advised to follow posted signage and respect all barriers, as a crane will be active weekdays from 7AM to 3PM. For updates and more information about the project, follow @pvdparks

Thanks to everyone who came out to the RWP Winter Wonderland this past Saturday! From cookies and hot cocoa to a visit from the big man in red, there was much merry-making to be had! Bundle up and swing by Roger Williams Park any evening this month to see all the twinkling lights. πŸŽ„

Shout out to all of our Park partners for putting on the festive event:

@pvdparks
@rwpmuseum
@rwpbotanicalcenter
@rwpgatewaycenter
@rwpzoo

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Open post by rogerwilliamspark with ID 18095677276897050
Thanks to everyone who came out to the RWP Winter Wonderland this past Saturday! From cookies and hot cocoa to a visit from the big man in red, there was much merry-making to be had! Bundle up and swing by Roger Williams Park any evening this month to see all the twinkling lights. πŸŽ„ Shout out to all of our Park partners for putting on the festive event: @pvdparks @rwpmuseum @rwpbotanicalcenter @rwpgatewaycenter @rwpzoo

Happy #GivingTuesday2025! Did you know that Roger Williams Park Conservancy, with the help of our many wonderful partners, brought more than 50 programs to the Park this year? Help us offer even more free or low-cost, family-friendly events in 2026 with a donation!

@pvd_foodtruckevents
@pvdfilmfestival
@providencetourism
@providenceact
@cityofprovidence
@pvdparks
@ricommerce
@firstworksri
@rwpzoo
@rwpbotanicalcenter
@rwpgatewaycenter
@rwpmuseum

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Open post by rogerwilliamspark with ID 17984338490761022
Happy #GivingTuesday2025! Did you know that Roger Williams Park Conservancy, with the help of our many wonderful partners, brought more than 50 programs to the Park this year? Help us offer even more free or low-cost, family-friendly events in 2026 with a donation! @pvd_foodtruckevents @pvdfilmfestival @providencetourism @providenceact @cityofprovidence @pvdparks @ricommerce @firstworksri @rwpzoo @rwpbotanicalcenter @rwpgatewaycenter @rwpmuseum
In Partnership with:

1000 Elmwood Avenue Providence, RI 02907

The Roger Williams Park Conservancy is a private, not-for-profit organization, and is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal EIN (tax ID) number 47-4414743.
© 2025 Roger Williams Park. All Rights Reserved.
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