The town of North Kingstown is celebrating its 350th anniversary in 2024, and if you’re in the area in the summer, fall, or winter, you’ll have the opportunity to participate.
North Kingstown’s history goes back further than 350 years, as Roger Williams established a trading post in the area in 1637. By 1674, the region had grown, and the colonial government founded Kings Towne, which was comprised of present-day North Kingstown, South Kingstown, Exeter, and Narragansett.
The region continued to grow, leading to Kings Towne separating into North Kingstown and South Kingstown in 1723. However, since North Kingstown had the earliest settlements, it got to keep the 1674 establishment date.
If you’re interested in learning about South County history, 2024 is a good year to visit. Here’s a look at some ways you can celebrate North Kingstown, Rhode Island’s 350th anniversary.
Walking Tours
Since the community is celebrating 350 years of incorporation, learning about North Kingstown’s history makes sense. The town is lucky to have a historian named Tim Cranston, who loves sharing his knowledge and will hold a couple of walking tours to teach people about the region.
On Saturday, August 10, at 10:00 AM, Cranston will host the Black History Walking Tour. During this tour, he will share stories about historic black residents and their contribution to the town’s early days, including the black mariners who took to the ocean. The tour starts and ends at Town Wharf.
Then, on August 24 at 10:00 AM, Cranston will host the Women’s History Walking Tour at the same location. Wickford was a unique place during the colonial and post-colonial periods because most men were at sea or involved in shipbuilding.
As a result, women in the region were permitted to run businesses, own land, and become community leaders, unlike most other spots in New England. This tour examines these women’s lives, offering insights into how they functioned in the community.
These tours are free, so all you have to do is show up at Town Wharf if you want to learn about North Kingstown’s unique history.
Speaker Series
Another way to learn about South County and its history is through the 350th-Anniversary Speaker Series.
First, on August 22, arborist Dr. Charles Yurgalevitch will give a talk on the trees and plants that make up the woods around North Kingstown. This lecture will be interesting if you plan to do some hiking on your vacation.
Then, on Monday, October 28, there will be a talk by local historian Brian Wallin called Riding the Rails to Wickford. This program will discuss the Newport & Wickford Railroad, which connected Wickford Junction with the harbor and offered ferry service to Newport.
Finally, on Thursday, December 5, you can check out Hamilton: Villages of North Kingstown. This lecture will be presented by Tim Cranston and discuss the village of Hamilton, home of one of Rhode Island’s first industrial sites and a vital cog in the region’s early economy.
All three lectures start at 6:30 PM at the North Kingstown Town Hall Council Chambers, and admission is by donation.
Family Day Celebration
Saturday, September 14. will bring the Family Day Celebration to Wilson Park. The event starts at noon, runs until 5:00 PM, and features face painting, food trucks, balloon animals, and local vendors.
There will also be demonstrations by the North Kingstown Fire Department and North Kingstown Police Department, as well as live music throughout the day.
Admission to the festival is free, and it’s bound to be a memorable day for all who attend.
350th Anniversary Parade
Perhaps the most highly anticipated event in 2024 is the 350th Anniversary Parade. This event starts at 1:00 PM on Saturday, October 5, and will feature dozens of floats celebrating North Kingstown’s long and unique history.
The parade will be relatively long, starting at North Kingstown High School and ending at Wilson Park, so you’ll have plenty of spots to check out the action. The route heads along Boston Neck Road, Brown Street, and West Main Street, and you can set up anywhere on those streets. Keep in mind that the area around Brown Street will likely be the busiest.
Getting to Know North Kingstown
Booking a vacation rental in South County puts you in the ideal spot to check out some of these events in North Kingstown. These festivals, lectures, and parades offer the rare opportunity to learn about this region’s immense history while participating in community events like a local.
If you’ll be in the South County area anyway or are looking for a quick getaway, come celebrate North Kingstown’s 350th birthday in style.