Rhode Island

Name: The Leaders of Rhode Island's Golden Age
Brand: Dr. Patrick T. Conley
SKU: 9781467141482
Price: 17.49 USD
Availability: InStock

Rhode Island’s small size belies an immense legacy, from the outsized impact on World War II to the bygone grandeur of downtown Providence. In spite of the storms that battered its coasts and sunk its ships, the Ocean State has never been overwhelmed by its namesake. Enjoy the undiminished pleasures of an iconic clam shack, the celebrated thrills of Rocky Point Park or the matchless vistas of the Newport Bridge. Our catalogue of Rhode Island history books extends a sturdy causeway to the state’s capacious past. [View all Rhode Island books]

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The Leaders of Rhode Island's Golden Age

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Kingston

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

South Shore, Rhode Island

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Federal Hill in the Twentieth Century

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Lost Restaurants of Providence

$21.99 $15.39 Save 30%

Providence's Benefit Street

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Bristol, Rhode Island

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Lost Providence

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Runnin' Rams

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Tennis and the Newport Casino

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Historic Tales of Jamestown

$21.99 $15.39 Save 30%

Johnston

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Woonsocket

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Warwick

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Downtown Providence in the Twentieth Century

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Ghosts of the Blackstone Valley

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North Smithfield

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The Pawtucket Red Sox

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Narragansett in Vintage Postcards

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Goat Island and the U.S. Naval Torpedo Station

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Providence

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Smithfield

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Preserving Bristol

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Rhode Island Shipwrecks

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Legendary Locals of Coventry

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Fort Adams:

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The Narragansett Blue Book

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North Providence

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Pawtuxet Valley Villages

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Warwick:

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Bristol:

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Tiverton and Little Compton

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The Newport Bridge

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James DeWolf and the Rhode Island Slave Trade

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Jamestown

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The Leaders of Rhode Island's Golden Age

9781467141482

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Picking up where The Makers of Modern Rhode Island left off, Dr. Patrick T. Conley, president of the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame, takes us through the golden age of the state's history, from 1861 to 1900. It was during this period that Rhode Island played a leadership role in the Industrial Revolution. From military leaders like General Ambrose Burnside to social reformers such as Sarah Elizabeth Doyle and architects Charles F. McKim and Stanford White, they ensured that the state's contributions to the nation would never be forgotten. This volume includes more than one hundred biographical sketches of influential Rhode Islanders who helped make this brief span of time the greatest in the state's history.

Kingston

9780738563640

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Perhaps no village in Rhode Island can boast the history of Kingston, or "Little Rest" as it was called. Once a seat of government (its library was one of Rhode Island's five state houses), Kingston has been home to some of the state's most illustrious residents as well as the now sprawling University of Rhode Island. A center of intellectual life long before the university began, Kingston was characterized by social, civic, and dramatic clubs, academies for both men and women, taverns for the weary traveler, and an imposing church atop Kingston Hill whose influence was felt broadly in the village.
More than 200 photographs take the reader back to
nineteenth-century Kingston, where Stephen Knowles waits atop his carriage to take travelers to Kingston Station, hat maker Cyrus French regales the menfolk in Joe Reynolds's tavern with his expansive
stories, and the villagers gather on a summer evening to listen to a musicale on the library's lawn. Within Kingston's pages, the reader can meet people like Solomon Fayerweather, the village blacksmith and church sexton with a unique wisdom about village doings; and Quaker Billy Rose, whose fine weaving work was sought by the likes of Mrs.
Theodore Roosevelt. See the familiar, Colonial-style houses that still line Kingstown Road as well as others that have fallen victim to the wrecking ball. Photographs of nearby "Biscuit City" and West Kingston are also included. These photographs, mostly from the collection of the Pettaquamscutt Historical Society, chronicle church, school, and business life in this picturesque village that has played such an important role in Rhode Island's history.

South Shore, Rhode Island

9780738563633

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Since Native Americans camped by its ponds and waterfront, Rhode Island's South Shore has been a magnet for recreational activity, drawing summer visitors whose accommodations ranged from tents to opulent hotels and summer homes. From Narragansett Pier to Watch Hill Point, this book tells the story of our fascination with life by the sea. Drawn by its clean air and pastoral shores, visitors for generations have come back to "South County" year after year to fish, swim, sunbathe, and simply rest. Some craved the social whirl of Narragansett, while others opted for the slower lifestyle in rural villages like Matunuck and Jerusalem. Each village and resort had its own identity, which is explored in this collection of postcards and photographs, most from private collections. These pictures show the dramatic changes wrought by the Hurricane of 1938, urban renewal, and development.

Federal Hill in the Twentieth Century

9780738563978

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The twentieth century can truly be said to have been America's century. As the nation reached the position of world leader, her towns and cities changed at an unprecedented pace. With the approach to the millennium, the topic of change is on everyone's mind--how our communities and lifestyles have changed over the past century, and how we can endeavor to preserve the past while facing the future in which the world seems to change ever faster.

Lost Restaurants of Providence

9781625859303

$21.99 $15.39 Save 30%

In the city that invented the diner, so many amazing restaurants remain only in memories. The Silver Top had fresh coffee every twenty minutes, and the Ever Ready was hot dog heaven. Miss Dutton's Green Room and the Shepard Tea Room beckoned shoppers in their Sunday finest. At Childs, the griddle chef made butter cakes in the window for night owls, and Harry Houdini supped at midnight with H.P. Lovecraft at the Waldorf Lunch. Themed lounges like the Beachcomber and the Bacchante Room chased away the Prohibition blues. Downcity Diner offered a famous meatloaf, and Ming Garden's Ming Wings were a staple for regulars. Author David Norton Stone details the restaurants that still hold a place in the hearts of locals.

Providence's Benefit Street

9780738599236

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Providence's Benefit Street showcases the rich history of Rhode Island's capital, a tangible history that can be experienced firsthand by walking one mile through the heart of the city.

Officially established by 1772 for ""the benefit of all,"" Benefit Street is arguably the most historic thoroughfare in Rhode Island. Some of Providence's most prominent families, including the Browns (the namesake of Brown University), built stately homes on Benefit Street's hillside, many of which still stand today. Threatened by years of neglect, the Providence Preservation Society intervened in the 1950s to save the buildings that line the street. Benefit Street has survived the dangers of demolition and now bears witness to disparate time periods and communities. It is the site of important educational and community institutions, including the Rhode Island School of Design, Brown University, the First Baptist Church, and the Providence Athenaeum, the fourth oldest library in the United States.

Bristol, Rhode Island

9780738563893

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

During the 318 years since the town's founding, Bristol
has endured a number of severe natural disasters and other
devastating trials, only to triumph in the end. At first
bombed, raided, and burned by the British, in later years
Bristol saw the collapse of her banks and the painful demise
of local industry. In addition, disastrous storms have pounded
her shores, at one time destroying the town's commercial
fleet. Through all this, however, Bristol has endured, a
testament to the tenacity of the town's colorful citizens.
From adventurous privateers and wealthy industrialists to
hardy fisherman and skilled laborers, members of the Bristol
community have struggled and succeeded together.

Lost Providence

9781467137249

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

""Dave Brussat has made a significant contribution to the history of Providence. For those interested in that history, ""Lost Providence"" is a real find."" Providence Journal

Providence has one of the nation's most intact historic downtowns and is one of America's most beautiful cities. The history of architectural change in the city is one of lost buildings, urban renewal plans and challenges to preservation. The Narragansett Hotel, a lost city icon, hosted many famous guests and was demolished in 1960. The American classical renaissance expressed itself in the Providence National Bank, tragically demolished in 2005. Urban renewal plans such as the Downtown Providence plan and the College Hill plan threatened the city in the mid-twentieth century. Providence eventually embraced its heritage through plans like the River Relocation Project that revitalized the city's waterfront and the Downcity Plan that revitalized its downtown. Author David Brussat chronicles the trials and triumphs of Providence's urban development.

Runnin' Rams

9780738510705

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One hundred years ago, the game of basketball was introduced to Rhode Island State College, a small agricultural school in the village of Kingston. The sport became the centerpiece of the college's athletic program. With the arrival in 1920 of coach Frank W. Keaney, the student body, faculty, and community embraced the teams with enthusiastic support, and a tradition of excellence was launched. With his incorporation of the fast break and the full court press, Keaney led his Rams to national prominence, with high-scoring teams and a challenge for a national championship in 1946.

After the college became the University of Rhode Island in 1951, the traditions of basketball excitement and excellence continued. Conference championships, postseason bids, and All-Americans have enriched the history of Rhode Island Rams basketball, as has the introduction of full varsity status for women's basketball. Along with highlighting the teams, players, and coaches, Runnin' Rams: University of Rhode Island Basketball also portrays the exciting environment in which the games have been played.

Tennis and the Newport Casino

9780738574820

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

The birth of American tournament tennis began in 1881 when the Newport Casino hosted the first US National Singles Championship (forerunner of the US Open) and annually thereafter until 1915. Tournament tennis has been played here ever since, including the present-day Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, an event on the ATP World Tour. A National Historic Landmark, the Newport Casino today houses the world's most complete museum devoted to the sport of tennis and the history of the building. In addition, the site hosts the opening nights of the Newport Folk Festival and Jazz Festival, is home to the recently renovated Casino Theatre, has a court tennis facility, and serves as a destination for visitors worldwide.

Historic Tales of Jamestown

9781626199552

$21.99 $15.39 Save 30%

Discover the fascinating history of Jamestown, from tales of shipwrecks to summer days long past. The town was home to Camps Bailey and Meade, two training facilities for Union troops during the Civil War. When the steam ferries crossed the bay beginning in 1873, people traveled to the island to sample the town's leisure and entertainment opportunities. Beavertail Lighthouse and the breathtaking Clingstone stand as iconic landmarks centuries after their construction. After the Jamestown Bridge opened in 1940, suburban development on the North End mostly replaced the hotels along the waterfront. Local authors Rosemary Enright and Sue Maden reveal stories of Jamestown's past and evolution in this captivating collection of essays.

Johnston

9780738590165

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

From the time it was separated from Providence in 1759, Johnston has grown from a sleepy, rural town into a busy urban center.

Much of the growth took place between the mid-19th and mid-20th centuries, and it is this period that Louis McGowan and the Johnston Historical Society chronicle in this delight collection. Assembling more than 200 images from historical archives and the private collection of many Johnston residents, the result is a multi-faceted portrait of the town's citizens, landmarks, and historical figures. Some of the famous figures discussed include Charles Fletcher, who built or managed the three largest textile mills in Johnston; the Reverend Samuel Winsor, founder of the Six Principle Baptist congregation; James F. Simmons, the sole U. S. senator from the town, who was later forced to resign his position in disgrace; and Zenas R. Bliss, winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor and a distinguished U. S. Army officer.

Woonsocket

9780738512969

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In the heart of the Blackstone River Valley, Woonsocket is a thriving industrial community with a rich history founded on seventeenth-century saw and grist mills. Its nineteenth-century textile mills were a major force in the industrial revolution, and today its businesses meet the challenges of new ideas and new technology.

Warwick

9780738512921

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Incorporated in 1931, the city of Warwick has nevertheless supported and influenced the economy and culture of Rhode Island in many important ways for far longer. Home to prosperous and dynamic mills since the nineteenth century, Warwick provided employment to locals and attracted a diverse community of newcomers. Developments in transportation led to the rise of seaside recreation at Oakland Beach and Rocky Point, creating memories cherished even today.

Downtown Providence in the Twentieth Century

9780738590455

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

The twentieth century can truly be said to have
been America's century. As the nation reached
the position of world leader, her towns and cities
changed at an unprecedented pace.
With the approach to the millennium, the topic
of change is on everyone's mind--how our
communities and lifestyles have changed over the
past century, and how we can endeavor to preserve
the past while facing the future in which the world
seems to change ever faster.

Ghosts of the Blackstone Valley

9781467139595

$21.99 $15.39 Save 30%

The Blackstone Valley is alive with the echoes of souls that roam the old mills, homes, social clubs and land they once inhabited. Visit a haunted monument in Cumberland, where nine colonists slain in King Philip's War may linger. Shop at an antique store in Chepachet that harbors more than just treasures from the past. Enjoy drinks with the other kind of spirits in historic establishments like the Granville Pub and the Tavern on Main. Take a hike through Precious Blood Cemetery, where ghosts may wander endlessly searching for their loved ones. Join authors Thomas D'Agostino and Arlene Nicholson on a tour of the most haunted places in the Blackstone Valley.

North Smithfield

9780738511450

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Located to the north and west of Providence along the Massachusetts state line, the area now comprising North Smithfield was settled in the mid-seventeenth century as the men of Roger Williams's Providence Plantation sought land to provide for their growing families. The agrarian economy was forever changed when John Slater brought the Industrial Revolution to North Smithfield in 1806 with the establishment of a cotton mill along the Branch River. North Smithfield tells the story of the town's small mill and farm villages dotting the landscape. The people of these villages were important to their time, upholding Quaker pacifism in the eighteenth century, fighting for suffrage rights in Rhode Island's constitutional crisis known as the Dorr Rebellion, and supplying the Union army with sabers. Residents later learned to adapt as farmland was developed and mills failed, were sold, and were reorganized again and again. North Smithfield captures the life of a town that has changed significantly since its founding.

The Pawtucket Red Sox

9780738511290

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Before players like Carlton Fisk, Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, Mo Vaughn, and Nomar Garciaparra starred at Fenway Park, they were Pawtucket Red Sox. Over the past thirty years, the PawSox have evolved into one of the most successful franchises in all of minor-league baseball. Millions of fans have packed McCoy Stadium to watch everyone from superstars like Fisk, Boggs, and Clemens to career minor-leaguers like Chico Walker and Pork Chop Pough.

The Pawtucket Red Sox examines the history of the PawSox from their origin as a Double-A affiliate of Boston to their ascension to Triple-A status in 1973, right on through the ownership years of Ben Mondor. More than two hundred photographs chronicle the players, managers, and other key figures behind the franchise's success, as well as the defining moments in PawSox history: the 1977 International League championship, the longest game in professional baseball history, the unveiling of the new McCoy Stadium in 1999, and many others.

Narragansett in Vintage Postcards

9780738500867

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

From the 1890s through the 1920s, the postcard was an extraordinarily popular means of communication, and many of the postcards produced during this "golden age" can today be considered works of art. Postcard photographers traveled the length and breadth of the nation snapping photographs of busy street scenes, documenting local landmarks, and assembling crowds of local children only too happy to pose for a picture. These images, printed as postcards and sold in general stores across the country, survive as telling reminders of an important era in America's history. This fascinating new history of Narragansett, Rhode Island, showcases more than two hundred of the best vintage postcards available.

Goat Island and the U.S. Naval Torpedo Station

9781634990134

$28.95 $20.27 Save 30%

Weak maritime nations have always sought to augment the strength of their coastal defenses and navies by the use of "diabolical" contrivances for destroying an invader's ships.

The history of the adoption of the torpedo as a recognized implement of warfare is not unlike that of gunpowder or of exploding shells. Each in its turn was met by the cry, "Inhuman, barbarous, unchivalrous."

During the American Civil War, the Confederate Navy employed submerged mines, called torpedoes, and explosive charges mounted on a long pole referred to as the "spar torpedo" which was bumped into the hull of an enemy vessel exploding on contact. These weapons enjoyed great success during the conflict.

In July 1869, the Secretary of the Navy announced the establishment of the Naval Torpedo Station on Goat Island in the harbor of Newport, Rhode Island, for development of a more sophisticated and deadlier self-propelled torpedo. From its founding until the end of the Second World War, the Naval Torpedo Station has been the Navy's principal center for the design of torpedoes.

Newport continues as the home of the U.S. Navy's most important laboratory for research and development of modern weapons' systems.

Providence

9780738544625

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

This volume offers a glimpse at what Providence citizens found important, funny, and poignant during the early 20th century, when postcards were a popular medium of communication. Within Providence, people frolic during Old Home Week and enjoy the entertainment of the WJAR Kiddie Revue. Important landmarks like the Brown & Sharpe and Gorham companies stand proudly when they were the largest toolmaker and silver maker, respectively, on the planet. Views of buildings long gone but fondly remembered, such as the Outlet Store and the E. F. Albee Theater, are also displayed. Through stunning postcards, readers will delight in seeing more than 200 fantastic views of this fascinating city.

Smithfield

9780738555386

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Smithfield was originally part of the "outlands" of Providence. Incorporated in 1730-1731, it is said to be named after Smithfield, England. One of the first settlers was William Hawkins, who in 1663 was granted 50 acres of land by the Providence Town Council in an effort to encourage settlement of the area. From its humble beginning, Smithfield has grown to a sizable community of 20,000 people and boasts a state airport and Bryant University. This book of historical images has been compiled from the archives of the Historical Society of Smithfield and the personal collections of local citizens. Most of these rare images have never been published before and bring a unique perspective to bygone days of the town's history.

Rhode Island Shipwrecks

9781467125062

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Rhode Island, the Ocean State, has more shipwrecks per square mile than any other state. The south coast and Block Island are the resting places of many shipwrecks, with many more located in Narragansett Bay. The record of shipwrecks in Rhode Island begins immediately after the arrival of Europeans in the early 17th century with the grounding of a Dutch trading vessel, and thousands more vessels came to grief in its waters in the following centuries, through bad weather, human error, equipment failure, and military action. Some of these shipwrecks were epic disasters, with many fatalities and the total loss of the vessel; others were relatively minor misfortunes in which the ships were salvageable. Many shipwrecks from the 19th century on into the 20th were captured in the dramatic images gathered here. These pictures show the variety of vessels that travelled Rhode Island's waters back when the ocean was the primary transportation corridor and the many ways in which they met misfortune.

Legendary Locals of Coventry

9781467101042

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Coventry was originally part of the Shawomet Purchase deeded to Samuel Gorton. People like Francis Brayton and Joseph Bucklin petitioned the Rhode Island General Assembly to form the new town. During the Industrial Revolution, John Jenckes Kilton and Searles Capwell played roles in the development of mills and businesses. Today, Coventry boasts many second-generation businesses including Crystal Cleansers, owned by William Marcotte, and Maguire Lace & Warping, run by James Maguire alongside his father, Joseph Maguire. Coventry is home to several independently operated businesses as well, such as All Booked Up, owned by Deana Borges, and Summit General Store, owned by the Skaling family. Educators such as Peter Stetson and Julie Lima Boyle followed in the footsteps of Carrie Ina Shippee and Mary Harvey. Many of Coventry's men and women have answered the call to serve their country, including George Potter and Mary Agnes Delehantey. Not many towns can claim as their own a swimmer of the English Channel, a girl who was an ambassador to Alaska, and a recipient of a Field & Stream award.

Fort Adams:

9781626195288

$21.99 $15.39 Save 30%

Fort Adams has a rich and illustrious history as defender of Narragansett Bay. On the shores of Newport, Rhode Island, the fort was named for the nation's second president, John Adams. Humbly beginning as an earthwork in 1776, it remained an active fort until its permanent closure in 1950. Fort Adams stood guard during the American Revolutionary War, Mexican-American War, Civil War and Spanish-American War, as well as World Wars I and II. Now a state park, Fort Adams is fully restored to its former glory of days past. Authors John T. Duchesneau and Kathleen Troost-Cramer explore the history of the most notable commanding officers of the fort, the changing role of women within the Fort Adams community and the legacy left behind by the families who called the fort home.

The Narragansett Blue Book

9780738594699

$21.99 $15.39 Save 30%

The New England coast is penetrated by many charming bays whose shores are lined with popular resorts for the delectation and refreshment of summer sojourners. The chief of all, and the most attractive, is our own Narragansett Bay. It is favored with a great variety of scenery. On its headwaters and tributaries are three of the brightest cities in New England; at the end of its largest island is located Newport, the most noted of America's watering places, and with Narragansett Pier on the main, Block Island thirty miles out to sea, and the numerous smaller but famous outing-spots in and about its shores a day's excursion or a summer's rest may be enjoyed with delight by rich or poor. The facilities for transportation by boat, rail or electrics are adequate. For the river excursionist and for those taking their breath of fresh air by means of the electrics The Blue Book will point out the most pleasing trips, the cost will be counted, and the numerous features for the eye to feast upon will be pictured in its pages.

North Providence

9780738587073

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

In 1996, residents of North Providence greeted the premier publication of North Providence with tremendous enthusiasm. Now, Thomas and Barbara Greene present a comprehensive sequel, highlighting the development of community institutions in their hometown between 1765 and the present. Volume II highlights the accomplishments of the citizens and local organizations, and presents detailed and interesting facts about the township's government, the police department, fire department, recreation department, and local post offices.

Pawtuxet Valley Villages

9780738597522

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Between 1806 and 1821, a dozen mills were built on the Pawtuxet River, shaping the economy of surrounding villages. The mills provided a livelihood for the villagers who settled in the valley and drew immigrants looking for a better life from Canada, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, and other faraway countries. For over 100 years, the mills were a thriving industry until it became more economical to move them to the South where cotton was grown. Pawtuxet Valley Villages: Hope to Natick to Washington travels down the North Branch of the Pawtuxet River from the village of Hope to Natick, then back up the South Branch to Washington Village. Over 200 previously unpublished images tell the story of 18 villages located in 5 cities and towns.

Warwick:

9780738523699

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Although known as the retail capital of Rhode Island, Warwick is much more than a conglomeration of shopping centers, malls, and industrial parks; it is a city marked by an extraordinary history and in many ways, serves as a mirror of the American experience. Like many communities across the United States, Warwick developed from a rural hamlet into a town distinguished by a variety of industries in the nineteenth century, attracting immigrants from across the globe desiring a new beginning within its mill villages. These industries brought wealth and opportunity, and paved the way for Warwick's transformation from small town to cosmopolitan center. Warwick: A City at the Crossroads is not a stale chronology, but is a work that breathes new life into the memorable characters and events that shaped the community's history over the past four centuries. Taking readers on an exciting journey through Warwick's past, this unique illustrated history begins with the first Narragansett Indian tribes that hunted amidst the virgin wilderness and details an evolving landscape touched by colonial settlement, wars, storms, depressions, resort development, and industrialization up through the present day. However, the true measure of a community is in its people, and Warwick possesses a remarkable cast of colorful characters, such as controversial city father, Samuel Gorton, Revolutionary War heroes Nathanael Greene and James Varnum, textile magnate Robert Knight, and scores of other distinct personalities, ranging from privateers and bootleggers to feared political bosses and industrial giants.

Bristol:

9780738523569

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

The picturesque images and steadfast spirit of small-town America thrive within Bristol. One need only to look along its tree-lined streets and centuries-old waterfront and into its historic homes and buildings to see the romance of Rhode Island's past mingling with its present. Heritage and tradition, especially its long-running celebrations of the Fourth of July, are essential in understanding the character and identity of this little town on the bay.

Bristol: Montaup to Poppasquash takes readers on a unique journey through the community's past, beginning with the voyages of early Norse explorers and detailing major events that shaped the town's history, including the King Philip's War, the Revolutionary War, and a variety of other military conflicts that took local men and women away from their homes. Not only evoking memories of yesteryear, this compelling illustrated history explores the evolving personality of Bristol over the passing decades, from its days as a small fishing village and a haven for privateers to its present status as a premier boat-building center.

Tiverton and Little Compton

9780738587059

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

In this sequel volume, authors Nancy J. Devin and Richard V. Simpson continue to uncover the fascinating history of Tiverton and Little Compton, Rhode Island, in historic photographs. By viewing this impressive collection of carefully selected images, readers will learn more about the communities' unique and engaging heritage. Tiverton and Little Compton Volume II includes images of the rugged Bridgeport area, General LaFayette's quarters, and the United Congregational Church. Also featured is the village of Adamsville with its unique Spite Tower and country store. The tenacity of Little Compton's early settlers and their relationship with their Native American neighbors is covered as well. All aspects of life are included in this volume, through scenes captured by the camera lens of celebrated 19th-century photographer O.E. Dubois.

The Newport Bridge

9781467139588

$23.99 $16.79 Save 30%

Newport is a premier destination, but getting to the city has not always been easy.

For three centuries, ferries crossed Narragansett Bay's East Passage. That all changed on June 28, 1969, the day the Newport Bridge opened, and it closed the last remaining gap between Aquidneck and Conanicut Islands. Proponents of the bridge persevered political squabbles and delays for twenty-five years following World War II to make it a reality. The longest suspension bridge in the region incorporated several new technologies and construction techniques and changed the face of Rhode Island. Author James Ricci details the trials and tribulations that produced an iconic bridge.

James DeWolf and the Rhode Island Slave Trade

9781626194793

$21.99 $15.39 Save 30%

An unsettling story of corruption and exploitation in the Ocean State from slave ships to politics.

Over thirty thousand slaves were brought to the shores of colonial America on ships owned and captained by James DeWolf. When the United States took action to abolish slavery, this Bristol native manipulated the legal system and became actively involved in Rhode Island politics in order to pursue his trading ventures. He served as a member of the House of Representatives in the state of Rhode Island and as a United States senator, all while continuing the slave trade years after passage of the Federal Slave Trade Act of 1808. DeWolf's political power and central role in sustaining the state's economy allowed him to evade prosecution from local and federal authorities--even on counts of murder. Through archival records, author Cynthia Mestad Johnson uncovers the secrets of James DeWolf.

Jamestown

9781596299573

$21.99 $15.39 Save 30%

Jamestown, Rhode Island's history has been formed--both for good and ill--by its geography. The town officially encompasses three islands in Narragansett Bay--Conanicut, Dutch and Gould--plus a number of small islets known as "dumplings." Jamestown was part of the larger world when merchants and travelers used the common roadway of the bay. As the speed of transportation on land increased, that same bay isolated the town. Reliable ferry transport fostered the growth of a low-key resort, and the bridges that followed moved the community from resort to suburb. The changes have left Jamestowners torn. Some look back nostalgically at the ferries and the solitude they allowed, while others look forward to a vibrant village and grand suburban homes. Still, whether one is reviewing Jamestown's past or anticipating its future, the constraints of its geography remain forever unchanged.