Rhode Island History: Internal Conflicts and Resilience

Explore Rhode Island’s turbulent history of dissent and resilience. Uncover hidden stories of conflict, courage, and change in Providence’s past.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Roger Williams National Memorial - Discover the 19th-century race riots in Providence, their origins, and their consequences.
  • First Baptist Church in America - Explore the 1902 streetcar riots that brought the city to a standstill.
  • Market House - Delve into the lives of 18th-century Black entrepreneurs, 19th-century Black artists, and examine the effects of climate change and storm surges in Rhode Island.
  • Providence River Walk - Uncover the Gaspee Affair, an early violent rebellion against British rule in the American colonies.
  • The Old State House - Learn about Thomas Wilson Dorr, known as the “People’s Governor” of Rhode Island.
  • Providence - Visitors will gain insight into the city’s turbulent history.
What's Included
  • Expert Guide
Additional Information

Rhode Island has always been a hotbed of dissent and conflict. But for this tour, we’ll take a closer look at Rhode Island’s internal conflicts, including how Rhode Island’s tremendous profit on the international slave trade powered the Industrial Revolution, how the state disenfranchised tens of thousands of immigrant voters in the Progressive Era, all the way through how the state fought but failed to prevent the first Gay Pride parade from taking place in Providence.

Providence has also been home to courageous and resilient people who were able to achieve incredible feats despite the deck being stacked against them in every way. Learn about Edward Bannister, a 19th-century Black barber who overcame prejudice to become a painter of national acclaim; Princess Red Wing, a passionate educator, storyteller, and Narragansett and Pokanoket activist; and the 1902 labor strike that stopped Rhode Island’s urban core in its tracks.

  • The travel time is included in the total duration of the tour.
Location
Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge
Bridge Street
We will meet in the center of the bridge in the amphitheater.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
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Sohagal
Aug 3, 2024
Great for history and politics geeks - This is an excellent tour for aficionados of history and politics. Kate was a terrific and accommodating guide. We have a much better understanding of the factors influencing Providence’s history.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elaine_c
Jun 16, 2024
Learning unknown stories... - Learning unknown stories about people who made a difference in Providence…the black girl who persuaded the legislature to provide high school education to black students; the story of the Narragansett’s on the downtown mural; the Bannisters love story, and many other stories - the Door rebellion - that I heard for the first time! Very fun, and well done.
Review provided by Viator
Andrea_l
Jun 9, 2024
Informative fun and witty guide - Terrific morning. Thoughtful fun and informative guide. Great way to learn about the city and the political past from someone who works in state government. Very knowledgeable about black Americans contributions to Rhode island. You should do this!
Review provided by Viator
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October 2024
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