It was the last of the 13 original colonies to ratify the U.S. Constitution (May, 1790) demanding that the Bill of Rights be added. The smallest state of the union, Rhode Island, also has the longest official name of any of the states: "State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations".
Prior to 1900 Providence, now the sole capital, and Newport were co-capitals. The current capitol was constructed between 1895 and 1904 and underwent a major renovation in the late 1990's.
The classic automobiles facing the back of the capitol were part of the "Goveror's Classic Car Appreciation Day". I appreciate this organization for being there on the Sunday morning of my visit. If not for them the capitol would have been closed and my visit would have been limited to the outside.
Department of Administration. This building is located across the street from the rear of the capitol.
"Dedicated to Rhode Island service members who made the ultimate sacrifice during operations in support of the Global war on Terrorism since september 11, 2001.
This statue only has "Perry" as an identification. There were at least three Perry's in Rhode Island naval history. This is probably Commodore Matthew C. Perry who negotiated the Treaty of Kanagawa which opened U.S. trade with Japan. His brother, Oliver, was a naval hero in the War of 1812. Their father, Captain Christopher Perry, was a distinguished officer of the Revolutionary War.
Nathaniel Greene (1742-1786) was a Revolutionary War general; he was ranked second only to George Washington. In his later years he was plagued with debts he incurred in raising supplies for the his troops. Due to his valiant service he was given a estate in Georgia where he died shortly afterwards from sunstroke.
Roger Williams was the Founder of the Rhode Island Colony and was to be the image of the "Indepent Man" statue. The sculptor felt that an image of a man in colonial garb would not stand out. He dropped that idea for the current figure. The figure depicts freedom and sovereignty. The metal for this statue came from the breaking up of a statue of Simon Bolivar, which once stood in New York's Central Park.
Rhode Island's replica of the Liberty Bell is located in the south entrance lobby of the capitol.
The chamber of the House of Representatives is located in the west wing of the capitol. This is where the state's 75 elected representatives conduct their business when the House is in session. Each representative district consists of nearly equal number of constituencies; each representative is elected to a two year term.
The Senate chamber is located in the east wing of the capitol. The Senate consists of 38 senators; one from each of the senatorial districts. Each senatorial district consists of nearly equal number of constituencies.
This playground is located across the street from the back of the capitol and to side of the Justice William E. Powers Building. This is the first capitol I've noticed that provides day care for employees' children.
