The History of Immigration in Rhode Island
About this Event
At 9 am depart BHPS in a Bloom chartered coach – no passport required!
Our first stop is a visit to the Museum of Work and Culture in Woonsocket. Start your journey of immigration at the Quebecois farmhouse to learn the story of families who came to work in the mill towns along the Blackstone River, and to create a better life in America.
Then we’ll have a short drive to a destination where you will get to enjoy the Italian culture and food – Federal Hill. Bring your own lunch, buy a cold drink, and find a bench – or enjoy one of the many sit down or take out establishments. By the 1920s 19% of the foreign born living in Rhode Island were from Italy. The first Italian Church was built right at the corner of Atwells Avenue and Knight Street in Providence in 1890.
After your free time, the coach will take us to the dock of the Providence River Boat Company where we will enjoy a one hour narrated trip. After we disembark, we’ll take a three minute walk to the Irish Famine Memorial on the river. This impressive site honors the two and one-half million victims and survivors of Ireland's "Great Famine" of 1845-1851 and was dedicated on November 17, 2007.
From there, it’s a short ride to George M. Cohan Square. The great composer of classic songs like Yankee Doodle Dandy and It’s a Grand Old Flag was born in Providence at 398 Wickenden Street in the heart of the Irish Fox Point neighborhood.
By now we’ve worked up an appetitive for an afternoon snack – and shopping - so we’ll stop at a market specializing in all things Portugal: Portugalia in Fall River. Whether you decide to sit in the café and have a coffee and pasteis de nata, or fill your shopping cart with gorgeous tins of canned sardines and mackerel, or delicious port wine, this store is filled with delights. Did you know that in 1970 78% of Bristolians self-identified as Portuguese-descended?
From there it’s a short ride back to Bristol. As you exit the motorcoach, you could say we’ve been around the world in 80 miles and 8 hours! Our plan is to be back at the Court Street parking lot between 5:30 and 6, traffic permitting.
The Bus will depart from the BH&PS Headquarters, 48 Court Street, Bristol at 9am. Parking is readily available in the lot across the street. The bus will return to the BH&PS Headquarters at 5:30-6pm (subject to traffic). Included: motorcoach transportation, museum entrance, and boat tour ticket. You will be on your own for lunch while visiting Federal Hill.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 103.22 to USD 119.22
