Benefit Street is a nice little walk and The Shunned House is a sweet little surprise. What I like…read moreabout The Shunned House is that you would have NO CLUE that this house was significant amongst the others in the surrounding areas. The armory down the street stands out a lot more than the lil house that HPLovecraft wrote about. Still it's a great side trip that will only take seconds out of your day if you are in or around the colleges in the area. This is obviously a residence and they have since named the house after someone but you can see the wall that used to be used as the front of the house and the descriptions stand strong in Lovecraft's writing. No big deal but I liked being there and seeing it.

I was going to write about this curiousity, but I realized I couldn't do any better than what…read morebrought me in the first place: "The house was--and for that matter still is--of a kind to attract the attention of the curious. Originally a farm or semi-farm building, it followed the average New England colonial lines of the middle eighteenth century--the prosperous peaked-roof sort, with two stories and dormerless attic, and with the Georgian doorway and interior panelling dictated by the progress of taste at that time. It faced south, with one gable end buried to the lower windows in the eastward rising hill, and the other exposed to the foundations toward the street. Its construction, over a century and a half ago, had followed the grading and straightening of the road in that especial vicinity; for Benefit Street--at first called Back Street--was laid out as a lane winding amongst the graveyards of the first settlers, and straightened only when the removal of the bodies to the North Burial Ground made it decently possible to cut through the old family plots. "At the start, the western wall had lain some twenty feet up a precipitous lawn from the roadway; but a widening of the street at about the time of the Revolution sheared off most of the intervening space, exposing the foundations so that a brick basement wall had to be made, giving the deep cellar a street frontage with door and two windows above ground, close to the new line of public travel. When the sidewalk was laid out a century ago the last of the intervening space was removed; and Poe in his walks must have seen only a sheer ascent of dull grey brick flush with the sidewalk and surmounted at a height of ten feet by the antique shingled bulk of the house proper. "The farm-like grounds extended back very deeply up the hill, almost to Wheaton Street. The space south of the house, abutting on Benefit Street, was of course greatly above the existing sidewalk level, forming a terrace bounded by a high bank wall of damp, mossy stone pierced by a steep flight of narrow steps which led inward between canyon-like surfaces to the upper region of mangy lawn, rheumy brick walls, and neglected gardens whose dismantled cement urns, rusted kettles fallen from tripods of knotty sticks, and similar paraphernalia set off the weather-beaten front door with its broken fanlight, rotting Ionic pilasters, and wormy triangular pediment. "What I heard in my youth about the shunned house was merely that people died there in alarmingly great numbers. That, I was told, was why the original owners had moved out some twenty years after building the place. It was plainly unhealthy, perhaps because of the dampness and fungous growth in the cellar, the general sickish smell, the draughts of the hallways, or the quality of the well and pump water. These things were bad enough, and these were all that gained belief among the persons whom I knew. Only the notebooks of my antiquarian uncle, Dr. Elihu Whipple, revealed to me at length the darker, vaguer surmises which formed an undercurrent of folklore among old-time servants and humble folk; surmises which never travelled far, and which were largely forgotten when Providence grew to be a metropolis with a shifting modern population." H.P. Lovecraft, The Shunned House Be mindful that this is a private residence. Please be respectful.

I am still not sure why this trail has "10 mile" in the name when it's only 3 miles long, but I try…read moreto not think too hard about it. Anyways, I decided to come here for the first time on a weekday afternoon and it was very pretty and peaceful, well maintained, and the perfect running distance for me. I parked on the street outside the carousel entrance of slater park, towards the Pawtucket country club which is where the trail splits. To my left was about half a mile of trail and to my left there was about 2.5 miles of trail. To the left there wasn't much to see, but there was a lot of green, so it was pretty. At the end of this chunk there is a big parking lot. To the right the trail does have more to see, especially since it cuts through slater park, there is a river, and even a dirt bike riding area. At the end of that is also a parking lot and a baseball field. The terrain is mostly flat but there are some tiny hills/slopes that can be challenging towards the end. I was able to see a red cardinal and a couple other birds.

Very nice paved trail that is well maintained, has clear markings and boasts peaceful scenery…read more I would rate the trail as easy, there are some inclines and declines but none that are extreme or difficult to navigate. The entire trail is 3 miles one-way. There are approximately 3 trailheads and 2 additional entry points.

I had a hard time finding this place, I got there drove down an road and parked my car. I walked a…read morelittle way past the dog park and it looked like it wasn't really going into the woods so I turned back. There was a cute mini trail behind the Mill house which was short but enjoyable. Left thinking well that was not what I expected, the photo showed water. I have revisited the map and see where had I continued down the road, I would have found the waterfall. I will go again, but meanwhile it was pretty.

After several years of walking thru the property of Hunt's Mill of East Providence, I finally took…read morea tour of the museum. Today I decided to drive to Hunt's Millaround 1:30. I noticed someone in Revolutionary War attire. The Museum was open and I was ready to explore. Everyone should take this tour. The staff is pleasant and knows the history. Books on sale and it is a great way to spend a few hours.

Didn't feel like doing the guided tour, but having never been here as a lifelong RI-er I figured…read moreI'd take the plunge. Nice, historical sight with loads of history and information even without taking the tour. Just on the out squirts of the shady part(s) of the state, but right next to the police station. The water was really bustling on this day. On a day where I have more time I'll definitely have to take a more extended look.

This is a free historic site that has a really great tour. The site is just off the river and there…read moreare a few buildings on site, but not all of them are open. But there are multiple tours during the day, so after perhaps watching the intro video, you can join one. The guide took us into the mill and demonstrated multiple machines used in various stages of cotton to thread production. It was great to see the process in front of us, and it was quite a complex process that required a lot of engineering using waterpower to get completed. I found it very informative, and the guide was able to answer all of our questions, so it's a great experience for kids and adults. No gift shop though, but there is a bathroom on site. The building was described to me as "yellow" when it's peach, but I won't fault that, just saying if you're looking for it, look for peach. There is parking across the street and a small lot next to it.

most certainly -the- most unsettling cemetery i've ever been to. every so often footsteps would…read moreinterrupt the dead silence, only for no one to be around. unfortunately (or fortunately), the ghost of freddy fingernail failed to show.

A very very creepy…read moreplace There are lots of haunted and creepy places in Rhode Island. It's well known to paranormal investigators because of all the weird, old and bizarre houses, woods and of course graveyards. Of all the spooky places in the state perhaps the old Elder Ballou Cemetery has the reputation as being the creepiest of the creepy. All kinds of strange things have occurred and still occur here. Or so people say. The most consistent story is seeing some old fellow dressed in a grey suit walking around. He never says anything, just sort of appears and disappears and it seems like he is looking for something. Other people hear moans and cries of pains or see vague apparitions and faces appearing out of nowhere. Even people driving by of the road have stopped because they hear strange noises coming from the graveyard. What makes this place rather unique is that people see and hear things in the daylight and not just the dark of night. I have to admit I am quite skeptical of such things but this is definitely a really, really creepy place. It's sort of on a small rolling hill so it is hard to see and it has a nice variety of the morose and lugubrious gravestones, some worn virtually away while other old ones look almost brand new. Perhaps the creepiest thing are the "holding tombs". You just don't see them around anymore. These were crypts where the dead bodies were kept until the families could find the money, space or time to give the deceased a proper burial. Many now had bars in front of them. Not sure if there are to keep people out of keep something else in. No, I didn't see any ghosts or really see anything out of the ordinary except for a really creepy, old cemetery. The mosquitoes were really bad but I suspect they were real ones and not zombie mosquitoes. I remain extremely skeptical of ghosts and their kin but this is a very cool and historic place. One that is exceptional creepy and weird at the best of times and a place I would rather not be in the dark of night.

I think it's awesome, but my husband's reaction was: "it's not Downton Abbey or anything."…read more LOL. It's still pretty cool. Parking is $3 and there's a lot of great trails. It's not Downton Abbey, but it's worth $3 and an hour of your time!!

The proper name of this terrific eleven foot tall statue is "Liberty Arming the Patriot" and it's…read morewhat is known as a "dynamic" statue- meaning it conveys action or thought. The statue shows Lady Liberty convincing a farmer to step away from his plow, accept the sword she offers him, and go off to join the war effort. It freezes the pivotal turning point in this young man's life as he transitions from a citizen into a soldier, willing to serve his country in a time of need. The memorial was added to the Registery of Historic Places in 2001. The base has three engraved plates showing an artillery battery, and two female figures representing History and Eternity. A plaque on the base is in very poor condition, but I researched the inscription and learned that it reads: In Grateful Recognition Of The Valiant And Self-Sacrificing Service To Their Country Of All Persons Who Went From Pawtucket And It Vicinity To Join The Forces Of The United States During The Civil War. And Especially To The Memory Of Those Who Suffered And Died In That Service. This Monument Is Erected By The Ladies Soldiers Memorial Association Of Pawtucket, Rhode Island And By Then Is Consecrated As An Everlasting Memorial Anno Domini 1897 You'll find the memorial in a small grassy triangle where Main Street, Park Place, and East Avenue all intersect.

Fantastic museum. Something for everyone. Friendly, helpful staff. What a treat to learn about the…read moregreatness of Attleboro!

Visited today as part of "The Passport to History" developed by Old Colony History Museum. Very…read morenice museum of industrial businesses which were located in Attleboro. Great display of equipment and products produced in the area in late 19th thru mid 20th century. Primary focus is the jewelry industry but other small scale operations as well. Staff were excellent, answering our many questions. She even gave us some suggestions for other local museums to visit beyond the ones listed in the passport. Highly recommend a visit giving yourself at least two hours to visit.

Months before the American Revolution started, colonists destroyed British tea in protest. You know…read moreabout that, right? Well maybe not. Because this plaque doesn't commemorate the 1773 protest known as the Boston Tea Party, when Massachusetts colonists dumped tea into Boston Harbor. Instead, it refers to a later incident in Providence, RI, when its colonists burned the British stash of the "Needless Herb" in protest against the Crown. This happened on March 2, 1775. It's an inspirational story of patriotism, defiance, and solidarity. Based on the urgings of the Continental Congress, Rhode Islanders overwhelmingly agreed to show support against British tyranny. They did so by lighting a bonfire on Market Square, and after speech making and the ringing of bells, hundreds of pounds of British tea were tossed into the fire. One month later, things had reached their breaking point with the killings at Lexington and Concord. The Revolution was under way. The plaque's inscription reads: Near this spot the men and women of Providence showed their resistance to the unfair taxation by burning British Taxed tea in the night March 2nd 1775 Erected 1894 by Rhode Island Societies of Sons of the American Revolution and Daughters of the American Revolution. Too bad the plaque is in such tough shape, how awesome would it be if this treasure of American history could be restored?

Historical marker at the spot in a building where Tea from England was protested and burned in the…read moreyear 1775. Call it the Providence Tea Party! A revolution that started, against burdensome taxation. Traffic cones and trash in front. Plaque is in need of more attention and paint, barely legible.. The building itself looks like an old custom clerks office. Needs much better management. Rebel review: 4