South County History Center

Name: South County History Center
Address: 2636 Kingstown Road, Kingston, RI, 02881, US
Telephone: (401) 783-1328

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South County History Center

The South County History Center's mission is to lead the discovery and stewardship of South County’s

07/21/2026

If you didn't get to see Hale House's "Marketing Matunuck" exhibit last summer, you're in luck -- it's back by popular demand now through September 2!

“Marketing Matunuck” traces the rise of summer homes, hotels, and vacation culture in Matunuck through vintage postcards, maps, and memorabilia. Hale House is open Wednesdays from 1-4 p.m. until September 2. For more information, please visit https://halehouseri.org.

Photo: Postcard from the Champlin Family Collection at the Center.

07/08/2026

PROGRAM RESCHEDULED & RELOCATED! Now to be held on Wednesday 7/22 at 5:30 p.m. at the South Kingstown Land Trust Barn. Additional seats are now available - please register at https://halehouseri.org/event/760/.

We are excited to present "Faces of History: The Lives and Portraits of Violet Hazard and Oliver Gardiner" at Hale House RI next Wednesday, July 15, at 5:30 p.m. Registration is required. Visit https://halehouseri.org for more information and to register.

This lecture by Erica Luke of the South County History Center will explore Matunuck's history as a center of Black life through the portraits of two well-remembered residents: Violet Sands Hazard and Oliver Hazard Perry Gardiner. What can be we learn from the historical record about their experiences and relationships with the Hale and other Matunuck families? How has the area's multi-racial community inspired artists, writers, and historians?

To learn more about Violet Hazard, Oliver Gardiner, and their portraits, please visit https://southcountyhistorycenter.org/portraits.

Photos:
Portrait of Violet Sands Hazard, ca. 1895-1900
Attributed to Charles Matlack
Gift of Elizabeth Warren-White, Timothy Warren, Jr., and Peter Warren in memory of their father Timothy Matlack Warren

Portrait of Oliver Hazard Perry Gardiner, 1902
Painted by Mary “Nettie” Carpenter Willard
Acquired with the generous support of Joanne Pope Melish

07/06/2026

Join us for a special presentation "Using Local History Resources for Genealogical Research" at Maury Loonjens Memorial Library in Narragansett on Monday, July 13, at 6 p.m. This presentation, given by the Center's Executive Director Erica Luke, is free (no registration required). For more information, please visit https://narlib.org.

Photo: Autograph albums from the Center's collection.

07/03/2026

Our friends at Hera Gallery in Wakefield recently opened "Threading Time and Place," an exhibit (and program series) commemorating Rhode Island's role in the founding of our nation. The exhibit features items from the Center's collection alongside Hera's artists to explore the core themes of hope, freedom, equality, and independence, as well as the dynamic aspects of revolution, ranging from historical perspectives to current manifestations.

The exhibit is open now through August 1. Visit https://www.heragallery.org for more information about the exhibit and program series.

06/30/2026

Are you a fan of true crime stories? Check out our latest newsletter to learn about John R. Wilcox, Washington County Sheriff and jailer, as well as Adopt a Collection updates and summer programs here: https://pub.marq.com/SCHCsummer2026/.

John's law enforcement career had all of the elements of a blockbuster true crime thriller: stakeouts, shootouts, crime rings, jail breaks, car chases, and much more. According to local newspapers, John had a "natural detective ability" and "an enviable reputation as an officer of the law."

Photo: John R. Wilcox (1858-1924), Gift of Christine Hendrick in memory of Benjamin Potter
Article: Front page story from Narragansett Times, September 25, 1908, detailing Sheriff Wilcox's efforts to protect Washington County Fair attendees.

05/15/2026

Join us tomorrow, Saturday 5/16 from 10-2, for our annual Kingston Fair Open House!

Explore the Center's exhibits, including HERstory: Women of South County, Baker's Wakefield Post Office Mural, portraits of Violet Hazard and Oliver H.P. Gardiner, and the Old Jail's lower cellblock.

As always, admission is free, and donations are welcomed. A full list of Kingston Fair Day activities throughout the village can be found at http://www.kingstonvillagefair.org/events.html.

11/27/2025

When Dr. Henry Gustav May arrived in Rhode Island in 1920, local turkeys were dying in record numbers. At the time, turkeys were a $1 million business for Rhode Island and a source of civic pride: turkeys from Horace Vose’s Westerly farm were enjoyed at White House holiday dinners for 40 years.

Thankfully, Rhode Island State College (now the University of Rhode Island) recruited Dr. May to serve as Professor of Bacteriology. “A hard worker, with an unusual amount of patience,” Dr. May started to investigate the invisible killer of Rhode Island’s turkeys.

Check Out Our Fall/Winter Newsletter for more about Dr. May's work, our newest collections, and tips for preserving your family's history. Visit https://pub.marq.com/SCHCfall2025/.

This Thanksgiving, we are thankful for everyone who has bettered South County through service and sacrifice and the many friends of the Center who help preserve their stories. Thank you!

Address

2636 Kingstown Road
Kingston, RI
02881

Telephone

(401) 783-1328

Website

http://southcountyhistorycenter.org/

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