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Betsey Williams Cottage

The historic Betsey Williams Cottage was the home to Park donor Betsey Williams and her sister Rhoda. 

The cottage was once surrounded by brush and woods, accessed by a winding cart path that lead from Broad Street. The sisters’ hospitality was famous, even if they did have their eccentricities. According to legend in The Jewel of Providence, the 150-year old London Plane tree in front of the building has:

“…a semblance of glistening beams [that] can be seen coming from near the top of this mighty tree. Mystics swear this happening is the workings of Betsey and Rhoda Williams imploring the majestic Plane to lay bare its “white skin” and benchmark the safe location of the Cottage for any wayward traveler in search of hearth and home. ” 

The cottage has undergone many restorations, mostly recently in 2019-2020.

Date Erected:
1773
Architect:
The Williams Family
Did you know?
This is the oldest structure in the Park by almost 120 years!

on Self-Guided Tour of Notable Art

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Join us for a Partner Peace Walk tomorrow at 12 PM! All are welcome to take a stroll with us and @nonviolenceinstitute to connect, talk, and enjoy the outdoors – meet at the Boathouse at Roger Williams Park. These walks take place every Friday, except for holidays.
THANK YOU to everyone who made Rosé in the Roses so memorable! Last Thursday, we celebrated the Conservancy and community, while giving a bittersweet send-off to RWPC’s outgoing board chair, Joe Pari.

Shout-out to @theprovidencedrumtroupe and @thesoundofgravity for filling the Botanical Center with magical sights and sounds – we can’t be the only ones still humming Pink Pony Club, right? 🤩 And to talented musicians Ashley Frith and @luisgilbertord for serenading guests throughout the night!

Stay tuned for a part-2 recap highlighting the rest of our amazing vendors and sponsors who made this year’s event one for the books!

@rwpbotanicalcenter 
@pvdparks 
@beacon.bank 
@beaulinemedia 
@morinscatering
@elliesprov 
@sabrina_scolari_photography 
@wemakepretend 

📽️ Visit the Swan Stories link in our bio to learn more about Joe’s work founding the Conservancy!
It’s a beautiful day for rosé! 🌹🥂 We’ll see you soon!
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