Tag: providence

Happy Presidents Day – Fun Facts!

February 17, 2025
  • President’s Day was established in honor of President George Washington’s birthday. The federal holiday is officially called Washington’s Birthday.
  • President George Washington was born in Virginia on February 22, 1732.
  • Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president, was born on February 12, 1809 , and is often honored on President’s day.
  • President Washington’s leadership during the Revolution and Constitutional Convention, and his unimpeachable character made him the ideal presidential candidate. He was unanimously elected president twice, in 1789 and 1792.
  • George Washington grew up on Ferry Farm where he learned the principles of agriculture.
  • Washington thought of himself first as a farmer.
  • George Washington expanded the Mount Vernon plantation to five farms where he studied and implemented innovative farming methods.
  • Washington visited Providence several times during his presidency.
  • George Washington is known to have visited the deputy governor of Rhode Island, Darius Sessions at Cole Farm. Sessions was married into the Cole family.
  • Cole Farmhouse was built by Richard Brown in 1731 — one year before Washington’s birth.

(source: https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/10-things-you-really-ought-to-know-about-george-washington)

The historic Cole Farmhouse in Providence, RI
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Eden of America: Rhode Island Landscapes

January 8, 2025

“The Island is exceedingly pleasant and healthful; and is celebrated for its fine women.
Travelers, with propriety, call it the Eden of America”

JEDIDIAH MORSE
American Geography; or, A View of the Present Situation of The United States of America, 1789
Brochure: THE EDEN OF AMERICA, Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design. Cover painting: Alvan Fisher, Providence from Across the Cove, 1818, Rhode Island Historical Society. Issued in conjunction with a 1986 exhibition of artwork depicting the countryside of Rhode Island.
THE EDEN OF AMERICA, Rhode Island Landscape , 1820-1920, Museum of Art, RISD

“A portrait of Rhode Island is as much an image of sea as of land, for the state is dominated by a coastline that has lured countless visitors, including America’s fore- most landscape painters. Rhode Island has been noted throughout its history for its natural beauty and healthful climate, and was first described in 1789 as the “Eden of America.”
Conveniently located between Boston and New York City and easily accessible by train or steamer, Rhode Island evolved during the 19th century into America’s seaside playground. Newport, the colonial rival to New York and Boston, was reborn in the last century as the summer haunt of America’s social elite. Across the Bay to the west, the smaller island of Conanicut (Jamestown) was popular as a picturesque site for excursions from Newport. On the western mainland shore was Narragansett, famous for its Pier and Casino and known by 1880 as the “city of hotels,” while at the Connecticut border, Watch Hill with its popular bathing beaches. developed.
Artists were attracted to Rhode Island throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, and it is the combination of land, sea and sky, and the variety of visual possibilities created by these elements, that dominate their paintings…”

From exhibit brochure: THE EDEN OF AMERICA, January 24 to April 27, 1986 Museum of Art,
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).
Issued in conjunction with a 1986 exhibition of artwork depicting the countryside of Rhode Island.

Credits: Rhode Island School of Design Museum

“The Cole Farm House is the absolute best!”
Heather, Steve & family (October 2024)

Cole Farm’s history begins in 1731, we invite you for a ride back in history – read more
Cole Farmhouse is first and foremost a guest accommodation – read our guests’ testimonials

#USA1731

Flea Markets

October 20, 2024

Looking for unique finds, secondhand items or handcrafted small businesses? Treasure hunt at the best flea markets near Cole Farmhouse

Providence Flea
Providence Flea hosts local vintage vendors and some of the area’s most creative artists, artisans and makers, plus community non-profits, food trucks and carts, and live musicians.
Operate indoors from mid-Fall through Winter and  Spring on Sundays at  Farm Fresh RI Market Hall,   10 Sims Ave in Providence, RI.
Address: Farm Fresh RI Market Hall,   10 Sims Ave in Providence, RI.
Duration: Year-round except for January.​
Day of Week: Sunday
Hours: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Website: https://www.providenceflea.com/ 

The Old Mill Vintage Marketplace And Flea 
An indoor flea market with a large selection of antiques and secondhand items.
Address: 3 Bridal Ave., West Warwick 
Duration: Year round
Day of Week: Saturdays, Sundays
Hours: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Website: https://www.facebook.com/theoldmillflea

Plainfield Pike Flea Market
Outdoors market with 10 acres for over 200 vendors.
Address: 2111 Plainfield Pike Johnston, Rhode Island 02919
Duration: April 7, 2024 – November 24, 2024
Day of Week: Sunday
Hours: 6:00am – 1:00pm
Website: https://www.pikefleamarket.com/

The General’s Market
Longest-running flea market in Rhode Island, formally known as The General Stanton Inn Flea Market.
Address: 4115 Old Post Road Charlestown, RI
Duration: Summer
Day of Week: Sunday
Website: https://www.thegeneralsmarket.com/

Outside Rhode Island

Seekonk Flea Market
Features, antiques, collectibles, sporting goods, clothing, toys, tools, automotive and more.
Address: ​1782 Fall River Ave Seekonk MA 02771
Duration: April till December 6th
Day of Week: Sunday
Website: https://www.seekonkfleamarket.com/

Happy 4th of July: historic perspective 🇺🇸

June 30, 2024

As we celebrate Independence Day this year, a quick flashback to July 4, 1969

This Providence Journal article featuring the historic Cole Farmhouse mentions President Washington’s visit to Cole Farm.

“The house… dates from 1731 and is rich in historical associations. George Washington is known to have visited the deputy governor of Rhode Island Darius Sessions there.”

Providence_Journal_1969-07-04_12-1 highlightDownload
Providence_Journal_1969-07-04_12-pageDownload

Happy Birthday President Washington! Thank you for staying at Cole Farm!

February 19, 2024

President Washington visited Providence, Rhode Island several times spanning from April 1776 through the presidency — see: https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/rhode-island/

A few sources document the president’s visit to Cole family at the historic Farmhouse. Here’s one:

The Cole home has been preserved in as nearly as possible the form in which
it was when early members of the Cole family entertained Washington and
Lafayette, and contains among other relics of that day the chair in which
the commander-in-chief sat.

(source: http://theusgenweb.org/rigenweb/articles/170.html)

Providence Journal published an article on July 4, 1969, titled “An Irish Aside to Fourth of July” which features Miss Dorothy Denison Dunlop, a former owner of Cole Farmhouse, . Here’s what Miss Dunlop reported.

George Washington is known to have visited the deputy governor of Rhode
Island, Darius Sessions there. Sessions married into the Cole family”

The historic Cole Farmhouse in Providence, RI
Now available at Airbnb

Providence Restaurant Week is back: January 7–20, 2024

January 5, 2024

The Ocean State’s capital city has an A-plus dining scene. Restaurant week is back to Providence for two weeks. Enjoy two weeks of dining special offers at Providence fine restaurants with special prix fixe menus for lunch and dinner.

See list of participating restaurants, along with their special menus at: https://www.goprovidence.com/rw/

A short distance from the Cole Farmhouse you’ll find two of my favorite restaurants that are participating Restaurant week: Waterman Grille , Red Stripe, and Gracie’s

You’re welcome to share photos on social media using the hashtag #PRW.