The East Providence Historical Society recently announced on social media the many goals they were able to achieve and accomplish in 2024 thanks to the support from the city, awarded grants and their many hard-working volunteers. The mission of the East Providence Historical Society is to enrich and educate the citizens of East Providence and surrounding communities about its history through excellent museum experiences and quality educational programs that are relevant and accessible to everyone.
The Accomplished Goals in 2024 include:
- Installed three new exhibits in the Museum: Bits and Pieces, a curated collection from our archives; Historical Architectural Landscapes, paintings by the East Providence High School Art Department; and The Past Can Guide the Future, Onna Moniz-John’s extensive collection of historical Black artifacts.
- Repainted the Education Center and cleaned and repaired 39 windows in the John Hunt House Museum. This was funded by a grant from the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission along with matching funds from the City of East Providence.
- Hosted over 100 students from the Alice M. Waddingrton School and Kent Heights Elementary School for three field trips that experienced A Day in the Life of a Child in 1751.
- Signed contracts with 26 gardening groups and families so they can grow their own vegetables. Twenty-two of the gardeners from 2023 returned for a second season and we welcomed four new gardeners from the wait list to the Community Gardens.
- Hosted 4 Monthly Open Member Meetings, offering historical presentations related to East Providence and surrounding communities, in partnership with the Weaver Public Library and is open to the public.
The East Providence Historical Society looks forward to another eventful year in 2025! Please consider donating toward their 2025 Annual Fund Appeal. A link to donate can be found on their website at www.ephist.org. The East Providence Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) organization. Your gift is tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law.
About the East Providence Historical Society:
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The East Providence Historical Society was founded in 1967 and initially held meetings at the Roger Williams Grange, Rumford Grange, and the former Rumford Community Center.
In 1989 the Society was granted a lease from the city of East Providence to occupy the historic John Hunt House in the picturesque Hunt’s Mills section in Rumford. The house, built between 1750-1790, is a 5-bay center chimney Georgian style residence typical of a well-to-do family living in a country setting during that time. The John Hunt House functions as our headquarters for regular and special events and is located in the southernmost tip of the Blackstone Valley National Heritage Corridor. Society members and volunteers have repaired and restored the building appropriate to the original design of the house.
Visitors can explore the Society’s collections and learn about the history of the area through guided tours, educational programs, and special events. The Society also offers a variety of public programs, including lectures, workshops, and walking tours. In addition to its educational mission, the East Providence Historical Society also serves as an advocate for historic preservation. The organization works to protect buildings, monuments, and sites of historic significance throughout East Providence and the surrounding area and works to ensure the preservation of the region’s unique cultural heritage.
To learn more about the East Providence Historical Society, their updates and many events, visit www.ephist.org and follow their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/EastProvidenceHistoricalSociety
