Tag: providence

President’s Day is on Monday – Fun Facts!

February 18, 2023
  • 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.
  • A local Radio program reported that George Washington sat on a chair in Cole Farmhouse when he visited Governor Sessions.
  • Cole Farm was a little village with 100 inhabitants, famous for its herd of high-grade cows and for horse breeding.
  • 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
Now available at Airbnb

What is this large post outside the old house? 🤔

February 8, 2023

The large stone standing next to the water well is an historic hitching post.
Hmmm, what is a hitching post? 🤔 Here is the response from RI Historical Preservation & Heritage commission…
Those holes in the front appear to be filled with lead, which probably held the pins from which iron rings would have dangled. These were often placed not far from the front doors of houses so a visitor’s horse(s) had a place to be parked 🐴🐴🐴.

Thank you @rihphc_pres for your help!🙏 🤓 A post about a post….

Historic hitching post outside Cole Farmhouse in Providence, RI

Cole Farm Village in 1918, famous for its herd of one hundred high grade cows

August 16, 2022

At early 1900’s , the Cole Farm section was a little village with about 100 inhabitants and its own general store (see map). The farm was famous for its herd of one hundred high grade cows. During its later years the farm was used for horse breeding.
It remained a farm until 1947 when the last 3 acres of land were sold off for house lots.

1918 Map of Providence East Side

bringing this farm to a high standard of efficiency and excellence…

August 16, 2022

“The name of Cole has been identified with the history of Rhode Island since the early years of the struggle of the little colony for existence. … Washington Leverett Cole, was educated in the private school of Samuel J. Austin in Providence and on completing his studies, became interested immediately in the in the management of his father’s large property and of his farm, eventually succeeding him in the control of the estate. He devoted his entire life to bringing this farm to a high standard of efficiency and excellence, purely for the love of the work, and for his deep interest in agriculture and dairying.”

source: American Biography: A New Cyclopedia, Volume 6 (pp. 238-240)

Bike Paths in Rhode Island

August 11, 2022

Courtesy of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and Rhode Island Department of Transportation

Rhode Island offers beautiful bike paths for cycling enthusiast — novice to advanced. Nearly 80 miles of open pathways with an eclectic mix of wide ocean views, big city beauty, small-town charm, industrial heritage and remote wooded backcountry. The ocean state is part of the East Coast Greenway, stretching more than 3,000 miles from Maine to Florida.

The Cole Farmhouse on Providence EastSide is about 2 miles from India Point Park where you embark on a 14.5 miles journey to Bristol on the East Bay Bike Path.

East Bay Bike Path

The East Bay Bike Path is the first multi-town bike path built in Rhode Island. It travels 14.5 miles from India Point Park in Providence to Independence Park in Bristol, passing many state and local parks and recreation areas. Connecting neighborhoods, schools and business districts, the path is popular with commuting cyclists heading into Providence.

Learn more about our Bike Paths, Maps and Parking Information at RI Dot site

  1. East Bay Bike Path
  2. Blackstone River Bikeway
  3. Fred Lippitt Woonasquatucket River Greenway
  4. South County Bike Path
  5. Ten Mile River Greenway
  6. Warren Bike Path
  7. Washington Secondary Bike Path
  8. Quonset Bike Path

Courtesy of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and Rhode Island Department of Transportation

WaterFire Providence – 2025 Event Schedule

July 12, 2022

Courtesy of WaterFire Providence

2025 WaterFire Schedule will be posted in April — stay tuned!

WaterFire is a free public art installation presented on the beautiful rivers of downtown Providence. WaterFire was first launched in 1994 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of First Night Providence, and has become an annual public art attraction and urban festival.
The public is invited to walk the riverfront and enjoy the beauty of the flickering fire light, the and the music from around the world.

The Cole Farmhouse on Providence East Side is located less than two miles from downtown Providence — about forty minutes walk.

Courtesy of WaterFire Providence

Providence Restaurant Week is back: July 10–23, 2022

July 12, 2022

Restaurant week is back to Providence for two weeks. Dine 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 and Red Stripe

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