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Roger Williams National Monument

Roger Williams, a British clergyman who emigrated to Massachusetts in 1631, was a man ahead of his time. He advocated for the separation of church and state, was an ardent abolitionist, and encouraged good relations with the local Native Americans. His ideas resulted in the Massachusetts Bay Colony expelling him in 1635. The following year, he and some followers traveled north to what is now Rhode Island and established a settlement he named Providence because he believed that God had brought them to that spot. Today, Williams is celebrated as the founder of Rhode Island and a forward thinker in American culture. His memorial was established at the freshwater spring, where both the city of Providence and the state began.

Things to Do

Things To Do Near Roger Williams National Monument

Roger Williams National Memorial is in the heart of downtown Providence, Rhode Island. Providence is a small city, but it’s rich in history, nature, and culture. Hiking through the woods, visiting historical sites, and enjoying delicious food are all part of visiting Providence. RVers traveling through New England should make it a point to stop here.

Hiking Trails

Sightseeing

Museums

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

map-marker-alt-regular How to Get There

How To Get To Roger Williams National Monument

The monument is easily accessible from Interstate 95’s Rhode Island Exit 23 (State Offices from I-95 north, Charles Street from I-95 south). From the north, take a left at the light on Orms Street. Then make a right onto Charles Street, and continue through one light. The memorial parking lot will be on the left. From the south, turn left onto Ashburton Street, and proceed through three lights. After the third light, the memorial parking lot will be on the left. 

Address

282 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02903

Fee: Entry fee $0

His name may not come up often when talking about American history, but Rhode Island founder Roger Williams played a vital role in establishing the ideals that shaped the country. His views on the abolition of slavery, the rights of Native Americans, and the separation of church and state, so familiar to us now, were revolutionary for the time. An RV trip is a great way to explore Williams’s history in the state that he created.