Roger Williams National Memorial

A verdant oasis in the midst of the urban cacophony of downtown Providence, the Roger Williams National Memorial is an idyllic park epitomizing history and fine landscaping. Built by Roger Williams, this park pays a solemn homage to the man himself, and his ideas and initiatives. The memorial's location was once Providence Plantations, the first European settlement in Rhode Island, founded by Roger Williams as a safe haven for religious choice and freedom. The site was designated a national monument in 1965 and is nourished by the eastern banks of the Moshassuck River. Enlisted on the National Register of Historic Places, the park bears a tapestry of scenic droves, paved walkways, nationally-significant buildings, a spring, and an insightful visitors center.