Two Sides of Ebenezer Knight Dexter’s Donation
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In the early days of the American Republic, Ebenezer Knight Dexter enjoyed a successful career in Rhode Island mercantile and land trade, enough to become one of Providence’s greatest philanthropists after he died in 1824.  He left two impressive properties, one on the East Side [...]

26
Feb
Providence as seen from the port            photo courtesy of Save the Bay
The Comp Plan and Future Building
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Providence is speeding towards approving a Comprehensive Plan that envisions the city’s coming decade.  Just reading the Department of Planning’s current draft is daunting. Nine key areas, over 173 pages, delineate aspirations and encouragements, covering issues of sustainability, the economy, the built environment, housing, transportation, [...]

16
Oct
Not quite a hole in one, but close
For the Public Good: Triggs Memorial Golf Course
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Triggs Memorial Golf Course, nestled between Rhode Island College and Chalkstone Avenue, is often overlooked as an extraordinary green space in Providence. From its original design to its operation today, it is recognized as one of the top municipal golf courses in the country, promoting [...]

03
Jul
Centennial Celebration Coming
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A hundred years ago, in May 1924, a library opened in Providence, designed and constructed with no expense spared. Knight Memorial Library was situated on the large Knight urban estate, in a neighborhood of spacious Victorian homes and carriage houses, on Elmwood Avenue. This Saturday, [...]

08
May
The battle for branch libraries took to the streets in 2006.  Photo: courtesy of the Providence Journal/Glenn Osmundson
Divorce in the Public Library
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Linda Kushner, resident of Providence, lawyer, and former Rhode Island politician, has written a book, The Fight That Saved the Libraries: A True Rhode Island Story, being published in May.  It chronicles the split between the Providence Public Library (PPL) and what became the Community [...]

17
Apr
If Education Needs a Revolutionary Idea, No Need to Look Too Far
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In the late 1990s Len Newman was 50, an experienced and successful teacher of English in Central Falls, when he saw a notice enlisting teachers for the Brown Summer High School. He thought he could do that. He did not expect that the summer would [...]

27
Mar
Student housing in Wanskuck, Photo: courtesy of 02908 Club
The Studentification of Wanskuck
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If you have lived in Providence for a long time and love the city, what would drive you away? Noisy neighbors? Illegal parking? Dangerous drivers? For Michael Veracka, living for decades in the Wanskuck neighborhood, it was “chronic illegal dumping” in the lot next door. [...]

28
Feb
African Mariner, oil on canvas. courtesy of Christian McBurney Collection. American Indian (Ninigret), portrait, oil on canvas by Charles Osgood,1837-1838, courtesy of Massachusetts Historical Society, in A Matter of Truth: The Struggle for African Heritage & Indigenous People Equal Rights in Providence, Rhode Island (1620-2020)
Black History Panorama
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The exhibit of historical artifacts illustrating the history contained in A Matter of Truth continues free and open to the public until the end of February on the walls of the lower level hallways in the State House, created by the Rhode Island Black Heritage [...]

31
Jan
Students at an ArtsLiteracy workshop in St. Paul, Minnesota
Artsliteracy Project Offers Providence Teachers Time-Tested Link Between The Arts And Learning
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Consider the typical high school class beginning its study of a required novel, perhaps To Kill a Mockingbird.  Books are passed out, students read and discuss as a class or perhaps work groups, answer questions for comprehension, and finally write a paper or take a [...]

17
Jan
Brown’s Haffenreffer Museum to Bring Indigenous Culture Closer to a Diverse Providence
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Brown University’s Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology has long been split across two locations: Providence, where it maintains an exhibition and event space on the Brown campus; and Bristol, R.I., where most of its collections and staff are housed. For scholars and community members looking to [...]

13
Dec