USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island tercentenary, 1636-1936. A report by the Rhode Island Tercentenary commission of the celebration of the three-hundredth anniversary of the settlement of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations > Part 2
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The full program of the State Tercentenary Commission could not have been completed without the cooperation received from the Works Progress Administration. With the aid extended by this agency of the Federal Government both in funds and per- sonnel, the Commission was able to accomplish well within its appropriation of $30,000, results which without this aid could not have been attained for less than twice the sum made available by the State.
Mr. J. Burleigh Cheney, then State Director of the WPA took a deep personal interest in the Tercentenary program of the Commission and himself directed the efforts of his agency toward ensuring its success. His successor, Mr. Farrell D. Coyle, continued this cooperation and to both the special thanks of the Commission are due. The two main efforts of the Commission-the Tercente- nary road markers and the log cabin information booths-both were WPA projects, the markers as a whole, the cabins as a part.
In the case of the markers, the WPA furnished the labor for the designing, casting, lettering and finishing, as well as for the setting of the markers on their bases. This work was done by experienced workmen of the highest skill. In the case of the cabins, the WPA furnished the guides who manned them-and Mr. Cheney saw to it that they had a most thorough training for their work, through a WPA school opened for this purpose.
The cabins themselves were built by another Government agency-the Civilian Conservation Corps-which also placed them on their designated sites.
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A Report of the Tercentenary Commission
In several cases these sites were on privately owned land. The thanks of the Commission are thus due to Most Rev. Francis P. Keough, Bishop of Providence, for the Woonsocket site; to Rev. Joseph Hardy, pastor of the Church of Our Lady of Compassion, who offered use of the lawn of the church rectory in Pawtucket; and to Mr. and Mrs. Henry A. Sayles of Chepachet for the log cabin site in that village.
The Tercentenary Commission also secured from the WPA the services of a man whom it trained as operator of the projector showing its school film "Colonial Rhode Island." This service was continued for eleven months without cost to the Commission other than the expense of automobile mileage and maintenance. During the summer months this man aided in servicing the log cabin information booths and the town information stations.
From the National Youth Administration was secured, also without State expense, the services of a young man for office and other work during a period of fourteen months. The office stenog- rapher was furnished from the office of Mr. Farrell D. Coyle. Thus of the entire personnel working for the Commission or for its pro- gram, the Commission Secretary was the only one on its payroll. The opportunity offered by the available Government agencies was taken advantage of to the fullest extent.
In the fall of 1935 the Tercentenary Commission received from the Rhode Island Society, Colonial Dames of America, headed by Mrs. Walter S. Ball, State Regent, approximately 1100 copies of "Once Upon a Time in Rhode Island", an illustrated, cloth- bound volume of episodes in Rhode Island history written in story form for children. This was for such distribution as the Commis- sion might decide. The books were divided proportionately among the public, private and parochial schools of the State and were distributed by the Commission through the city and town Super- intendents of Schools.
The Colonial Dames also provided as a Tercentenary feature of permanence, large metal markers set on a metal standard and bearing an outlined figure of Roger Williams, together with the name of the river which each one is to designate. These are the five largest streams of the State, the markers being intended for the Pawtuxet river at Pawtuxet; the Woonasquatucket at Woon- socket; the Moshassuck at Providence where it joins the Woonas- quatucket; the Pawtucket at Pawtucket bridge; and the Pawca- tuck at Westerly.
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The Rhode Island Tercentenary 1636-1936
These markers are to be placed at these locations in early spring of 1937, by the Division of Roads and Bridges, Department of Public Works.
Another Tercentenary service rendered by this active organi- zation, the Rhode Island Society of Colonial Dames, was completion of the restoration of "Whitehall" in Middletown, where Bishop Berkeley wrote the immortal lines "Westward the course of Empire takes its way", during his residence in Rhode Island, 1728 to 1731. The home of the famous Irish philosopher has been restored to its appearance in the time of his occupancy, furnished with period furniture and opened to the public as another in the series of his- toric shrines for which Rhode Island is so distinguished.
Throughout the year the Tercentenary Commission supplied much information on the Tercentenary and its program and on Rhode Island's scenic, vacation and other attractions, to news- papers, publications and individuals. Many persons having in mind a vacation motor tour of the State were furnished maps, Commis- sion and State publications and other literature.
The Providence Directory for 1936, the Providence telephone directory and the telephone directories for all exchanges in Rhode Island, all had a full page on the Tercentenary, with an outline of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations history during the 300 years, prepared and furnished by the Secretary of the Com- mission. The telephone directories for each of the exchanges in the State also had as the main feature on their covers, the design of the official poster of the Tercentenary, issued by the State Com- mission.
The newspapers of the State, particularly those published in Providence, gave whole hearted cooperation in publishing news of the Tercentenary, the local newspapers, particularly the Journal and Bulletin, publishing many special features pertaining to the Tercentenary. The News-Tribune printed a resume in 90 chap- ters, of Dr. Charles Carroll's monumental history of Rhode Island. The Providence Visitor published a history of the Roman Catholic Church in Rhode Island, written for the Tercentenary, by Rev. Thomas F. Cullen, which later was issued in book form.
Interest in the event was marked among Rhode Island citizens by adoption. The program of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island, Order of Sons of Italy in America, for the dedication of the State House tablet to Giovanni da Verrazzano on October 11, con-
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A Report of the Tercentenary Commission
tained an article on the origin of the name Rhode Island by Howard M. Chapin, Librarian of the Rhode Island Historical Society and a reproduction in English and Italian of the letter of the Florentine explorer in which he announced to his patron, Frances I of France, his visit to Narragansett Bay, April 21 to May 5, 1524.
The event was the subject of many special features in the schools, especially those of Providence, although interest was wide- spread throughout the State. Pageants were written and per- formed, sketches were made, Colonial villages and dwellings were reproduced in manual training courses and in one way or another Rhode Island school children learned more during the Tercentenary year, of the history of their home State than they would have been likely to absorb in any ordinary year.
Many former Rhode Islanders and many others of Rhode Island descent wrote to the State Commission, asking for Rhode Island literature or information, a number requesting aid in tracing descent from Rhode Island families. So far as possible these were all answered, either from the office of the Commission or by refer- ence to authorities. In a number of cases information was requested on where to go, what to see, where the Rhode Island clambake could be had, how to get to Block Island and other summer resorts, and the like, particularly the dates of some of the various events scheduled or inquiries as to what events were to be held in desig- nated sections.
In all these queries the answer was supplemented by mailing copies of the Commission's schedule of events and the Commission's publication, "Rhode Island's Historic Background".
This service was supplemented by distribution through the office of the Secretary of State where a State publicity bureau was established by Secretary Cappelli and through the Tercentenary Commission's log cabins information booths, of large editions of "Rhode Island for Real Recreation and Hospitality" and "Know Rhode Island", two elaborately illustrated booklets on Rhode Island's vacation attractions and Rhode Island cities and towns, issued by the Secretary of State, as well as a number of smaller folders from this and other sources.
Through its information stations, the picturesque log cabins on the roads, the State Commission also distributed a large number of other booklets and folders about the State or its sections. These are listed elsewhere in this report.
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The Rhode Island Tercentenary 1636-1936
Governor Theodore Francis Green issued a proclamation on the first of January proclaiming 1936 as the Rhode Island Ter- centenary year and also another in the early summer designating June 7 as Tercentenary Sunday-a day when the people of the State should give thanks to Almighty God "for the full religious liberty we now enjoy, due to the principle upon which this State is founded."
Providence merchants featured the Tercentenary with special decorations, many of them elaborate and striking, first shown, through local agreement, on May 4, the official opening date of the Tercentenary. These included a large decorative arch spanning Weybosset Street, which remained in place until the end of the year, a beautiful and majestic embodiment of the spirit of the Tercentenary.
The Tercentenary was extensively advertised without cost to the Commission, through cooperation of business organizations. Four large and unique billboards located on main highways in the State carried for the period of the Tercentenary, announcement of this event, through the courtesy of the advertisers, the United States Tire Company. The event was featured on the New England maps of several gasoline companies and also in monthly publications distributed at filling stations throughout New England and New York.
The Tercentenary Commission used panels and half-panels on the New England, the New Jersey-Pennsylvania and the Ohio maps of the American Automobile Association, to advertise the Tercentenary and the vacation attractions of the State to repre- sentative motorists in sections where interest in Rhode Island was known to be especially marked.
Through the efforts of the State Tercentenary Commission the Tercentenary received national radio recognition. On Sunday, May 3, the day before the opening exercises at the State House, the National Broadcasting System repeated the episode covering the trial of Roger Williams at Salem, from its series on "Great Moments in History", with new material announcing the Tercentenary. Rhode Island's event was also featured in several privately spon- sored coast-to-coast outstanding programs.
The Tercentenary was the subject of many special features and the occasion for publication of special editions of a number of publications. The Providence Public Library in its monthly magazine "A Reader's Guide to Books", in 1936-37 printed short
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A Report of the Tercentenary Commission
historical sketches of the cities and towns of the State, with a list of source books in the library.
The Manufacturing Jeweler published in March a Tercente- nary edition with a history of jewelry manufacturing as it origi- nated here and a reprint of the Commission's schedule of Tercen- tenary events.
The Tercentenary Commission makes special acknowledg- ment of the services rendered by Mr. Howard M. Chapin, Librarian of the Rhode Island Historical Society. Mr. Chapin wrote the inscriptions used on the town and city tablets placed on the Ter- centenary road markers, permitted use of his sketches for the coats of arms of the towns and cities, followed this work through the foundry and checked its road locations, as well as furnishing other historical information. His courtesy and interest was typical of that shown by others in the work of the Commission, to whom it is not possible to give individual acknowledgment.
One markedly beneficial result of the State Tercentenary has been the continuation as permanent booster bodies for their respec- tive localities, of the Tercentenary committees in charge of the celebrations at Natick, Phenix, Riverpoint and possibly other localities. It also produced a marked interest in the history of the State and its towns, which has resulted in the formation of histori- cal societies and other organizations which may be expected to do much to make the present generation more familiar with their heritage from the past.
Above all, it has brought to the peoples of the rest of the United States a deeper and fuller realization of the leadership of Rhode Island in the establishment of religious freedom in the world and in the formation and life of the American Union. And it has brought to very many persons from all sections of this country, their first actual experience of the vacation attractions and the perennial charm of one of the finest sections of picturesque New England-an experience which it may be hoped many will be eager to repeat.
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The Rhode Island Tercentenary 1636-1936
BOOK DISTRIBUTION TO SCHOOLS
On March 9 the Commission received from the National Society of Colonial Dames in Rhode Island, 1133 copies of "It Happened in Rhode Island," by Katherine Pyle, a 206-page, cloth bound book illustrated by Helen B. Mason and published in 1914 by Doubleday, Page & Co., New York, for the Rhode Island Society of Colonial Dames. The purpose of the gift, which had previously been accepted by the Commission through its Secretary, was the distribution of these books among the public, private and parochial schools of the State.
The book is an excellent short historical account of Rhode Island from the time of the Northmen to Rhode Island's adoption of the Articles of Confederation in 1789, written not as a running historical account, but in a story form. Since its publication it had run through three editions of 5000 copies each. Warmly endorsed in an introduction by the late Prof. Wm. MacDonald of Brown University, it was the desire of the Colonial Dames to have the remainder of the last edition placed as a Tercentenary gift in the hands of school children of the State.
The books were apportioned among the schools, shipments being made to the Superintendent of Schools of the 39 cities and towns with assistance of the State Department of Education. Several hundred were distributed among the parochial schools, through the office of Rev. Thomas V. Cassidy, Superintendent of Schools, Diocese of Providence. Others were sent to the Sockanosset School for Boys, the Oaklawn School for Girls and to St. Andrews School at Barrington, the other private schools having been supplied by the Colonial Dames directly.
With these were distributed to each school an equal number of copies of the Commission's Tercentenary publication "Rhode Island's Historic Background, with a Rhode Island Historical Calendar."
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A Report of the Tercentenary Commission
The Commission acknowledges with gratitude this generous gift by the Rhode Island Society of Colonial Dames, voted by its Board of Managers headed by Mrs. Walter S. Ball, President and carried out through Mrs. Alice Adams Johnson, one of the original board of publication. It was an admirable supplement to the show- ing in both public and parochial schools of the six reel film "Colo- nial Rhode Island" which the Commission carried on through the winter and spring months in every part of the State. This film was made possible by the Colonial Dames who defrayed a considerable part of its original cost when it was made by children of the Laurel Hill Avenue School, Providence, in 1934. Permission for copying it was courteously granted by the Providence School Department.
The Colonial Dames of Rhode Island have ample reason to feel proud of their part in the celebration of the Tercentenary of the founding of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
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State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
A Proclamation
BY HIS EXCELLENCY THEODORE FRANCIS GREEN GOVERNOR
WHEREAS, three hundred years ago the foundation was laid for the present State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations and the cornerstone was the purpose, in the words of the founder Roger Williams, "to hold forth a lively experiment, that a flourishing civil state may stand and best be maintained with full liberty in religious concernments," and
WHEREAS, the principle of the natural right of man to worship God in any manner he may choose has here been proved not only to be right in principle, but to work well in practice, and the success of this principle here in our State has inspired the foundation of our Federal Govern- ment and all the governments of our sister states, and has spread far beyond the boundaries of this country and across the seven seas, and
WHEREAS, it is especially fitting that particular attention be given to this phase of our Tercentenary Celebration in our churches, meeting houses, synagogues and other houses of worship, which have prospered under the government founded on this principle,
NOW, THEREFORE, I, THEODORE FRANCIS GREEN, Governor of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, do designate
SUNDAY, THE 7TH DAY OF JUNE, A. D. 1936 as a day of PUBLIC WORSHIP
when the people of this State may meet and worship Almighty God according to their own choice, and give thanks to Him for His care and guidance of us during the last three hundred years. Let us thank Him especially for the full religious liberty we now enjoy, due to the principle on which this State was founded. On that day, let us not only give thanks for His care and guidance of us in the past, but pray for His continuing aid to our State in the future. Let us ask Him to endow us with the same courage of our convictions which inspired our forefathers, and with the ability to make our contributions of benefit to our State as great and lasting as were theirs!
SEAL
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the State to be affixed this second day of June in the year of Our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and thirty-six, and of Independence the one hundred sixtieth.
ween
By the Governor: LourW. Cappelle.
Governor
Secretary of State
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A Report of the Tercentenary Commission
TERCENTENARY EVENTS
MAY
MAY 3-Forefathers' Service, First Baptist Church, Providence.
MAY 4-Rhode Island Independence Day-160th anniversary of passage by Rhode Island General Assembly at Providence, May 4, 1776, of Act substi- tuting authority of the Colony for that of the King in all legal actions.
State Tercentenary officially opened by Rhode Island Tercentenary Commis- sion, State House, Providence, at 2:30 o'clock. Gov. James M. Curley of Massachusetts presents Gov. Theodore Francis Green of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, a framed copy of Resolution passed by the Massachu- setts General Court rescinding the decree of banishment against Roger Williams passed by the General Court of the Bay Colony, October 9, 1635.
Re-enactment at old State House, Providence, where the Act was passed May 4, 1776, of passage by General Assembly of Rhode Island Declaration of Independence. Ceremonies at 10:30 by descendants of original members and others in Colonial costume. Auspices of Providence Tercentenary Committee and Rhode Island Colonial Dames.
Rhode Island Society, Sons of American Revolution, plants and dedicates descendant of the "Washington Elm" on State House Grounds, after 4 o'clock exercises in State House.
Joint dinner in evening at Providence Biltmore by Rhode Island Societies, Sons of American Revolution and Daughters of the Revolution.
Rhode Island Declaration of Independence ceremonies by Sons of the Revolution, in old State House at Newport, where for a century and a half the Governors of Rhode Island were inaugurated.
MAY 4-5-New England Conference, Girl Scouts, Providence.
MAY 4-5-"The Return of Roger Williams," musical allegory, Warren.
MAY 9-10-New England Turnerbund Convention, Providence.
MAY 14-Providence high schools and college glee clubs choral presentation, Metropolitan Theatre, Providence, by Providence Tercentenary Committee.
MAY 16-Rhode Island high school bands, orchestras and glee clubs in musical festival-21 bands, about 1,000 members, in massed band concert in afternoon at Brown Stadium, following morning concerts by other units in Providence school buildings. By the Rhode Island Tercentenary Commission.
MAY 16-17-82d Division Veterans' Reunion, Newport.
MAY 16-National Order of Founders and Patriots of America, convention, Providence.
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The Rhode Island Tercentenary 1636-1936
MAY 16-Tercentenary Pageant by Girl Scouts, Camp Hoffman, West Kingston. MAY 23-24-R. I. Riflemen Tercentenary Small Bore Matches, State Rifle Range, Rumford.
MAY 28-Tercentenary Costume Ball, Cranston Street Armory, Providence, by Providence Tercentenary Committee.
MAY 30-31-Dedication Completed State Airport, Hillsgrove. Famous flyers, stunt flying, etc.
MAY 31-Early Colonial Church Service in costume, Greenville Baptist Church, Greenville.
JUNE
JUNE 1-6-Roger Williams Family Association "Open House" for descendants of the founder of Providence Plantations. Registrations at Arcade, Prov- idence.
JUNE 2-R. I. State Grange historical pageant, Arnold's Mills.
JUNE 4-Pageant, "Three Centuries in Rhode Island" at First Baptist Meeting House, Providence, with descendants of first settlers of Providence Planta- tions in the cast.
JUNE 7-Tercentenary Sunday. Proclamation by Governor Theodore Francis Green. Tercentenary services or sermons in Rhode Island churches of every denomination.
JUNE 7-Newport-New England Amateur Athletic Union 20-kilometer Mar- athon.
JUNE 7-Chorus singing by Woonsocket schools in Cold Spring Park, Woon- socket.
JUNE 8-13-"Fashion Festival" at Brown Stadium by Providence Tercentenary Committee. Cast of 1200 in 20 scenes, with ballet and chorus.
JUNE 8-12-"The Progress of Independence in Rhode Island"-20 episodes at West Warwick junior high school.
JUNE 10-164th anniversary of burning by Colonists of British revenue schooner Gaspee off Namquit Point, Narragansett Bay, June 10, 1772.
First British blood of the Revolution shed here.
JUNE 10-13-New England United Commercial Travellers Convention, Prov- idence. Parade, 13th.
JUNE 13-20-Johnston Old Home Week, Greenville Avenue grounds.
JUNE 14-Providence Festival Chorus with Goldman's Band and Rosa Tentoni, at Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence.
JUNE 17-19-New England Coal Dealers Association Convention, Providence. JUNE 18-20-National Society of Colonial Wars-Convention, Providence.
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A Report of the Tercentenary Commission
JUNE 20-Barrington Day-Sports of Olden Times, Town Hall grounds, Bar- rington.
JUNE 20-21-United States Soccer Referees Association convention, Providence. JUNE 20-Department of Rhode Island, Disabled Veterans of the World War, reunion, Providence.
JUNE 21-Providence Tercentenary Parade, Rhode Island lodges, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and Providence Tercentenary Committee-22,000 in line.
JUNE 21-Newport-Olympic Track Trials, New England Amateur Athletic Union meet.
JUNE 24-Rhode Island State College, Kingston-Historic Pageant, 20 episodes.
JUNE 26-28-Boy Scout Camp-O-Ree at Roger Williams Park, Providence. Public exhibition of camping and Boy Scout activities by Boy Scouts from all New England.
JULY
JULY 2-4-Histadruth Ivrith, National Hebrew Convention, Providence.
JULY 4-5-Massada, National Youth Zionist Convention, Providence.
JULY 3-4-Bristol-Military, Naval and civic celebration at old Colonial port. Historical pageant, July 4.
JULY 4-Newport-Annual meeting, Rhode Island Society of the Cincinnati, Old Colony House.
JULY 4-National girls track and field championships, Olympic trials, Prov- idence.
JULY 4-West Warwick-Dedication of War Memorial.
JULY 4-5-Burrillville-Glocester-Pageant "The Coming of Roger Williams to the Wigwam of Canonicus"-Glasko Farm.
JULY 4-7-Zionist Organization of America, Convention, Providence. Jewish Day, July 5.
JULY 6-Warren-Pageant of events in the Town's history, Burr's Hill Park.
JULY 7-9-Narragansett-Horse races on the beach, sports, events, swimming races at Galilee, Costume Ball, 9th.
JULY 8-Portsmouth-Founders Day. Unveiling memorial to founders of Ports- mouth at old "pudding rock" at Founder's Brook. Costume ball in evening.
JULY 11-Watch Hill-New Memorial Park dedicated by Tercentenary Com- mittee.
JULY 10-12-Olympic Trials Swimming Meet, Rocky Point. Auspices of Jubilee Committee, Providence.
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The Rhode Island Tercentenary 1636-1936
JULY 11-12-R. I. Riflemen's Tercentenary .30 Calibre Rifle Matches, State Rifle Range, Rumford. Jubilee Committee, Providence.
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