Pawtuxet Favorite Tips by Pawtuxet

Architectural details

Favorite thing: There is an armory which was built for the Pawtuxet Rangers Artillery at the time of the Revolutionary war. The Rangers still meet there...lots of social times as well as marching and parading and presenting the colors at various occasions. Their building received a major grant from the state preservation commission so that the stucco could be redone, the shutters repaired and the wood shaker roof replaced. Not a big building, but lots of history and love.

Massachusetts Colonial Navy

Favorite thing: This group has been marching in the Gaspee Day Parade for decades. They have a very seasoned organization, very colorful in the line of march. The ribbons attached to the flags represent their awards at various parades and musters where they have performed. There is military protocol to be followed in the way the marchers are arranged in the parade. Host unit is first in the line of march, followed by the earliest chartered militia unit...and progressing to the most recently chartered unit. These militia units actually hold charters in their home state's National Guard organizations. In Pawtuxet, the Pawtuxet Rangers date back to 1772...so our Rangers are usually at the beginning of most parades. Of the 3 ancient units in Rhode Island, two are chartered in 1772 and one in 1774.
SEE MY TRAVELOGUE FOR MORE COLORFUL PARADE PICTURES

Striped pants and very snappy hats !!

Favorite thing: Here is a particularly sharp unit in the Gaspee Day Parade. It's interesting to see what the style of uniform will be on these various colonial units. Personally I prefer this part of the parade to the portion with the floats and high school bands...beauty queens, fire trucks, and the usual participants in other parades. The colonial part of our parade is unique.

The ENCAMPMENT

Favorite thing: Some of my favorite moments come when the parade is over and the village quiets down. The colonial militia units and fifers and drummers do an ENCAMPMENT in our local park by the water. They live in tents, cook on open fires, sing sea chanties, and talk about the life of the ancient mariners. It's wonderful wandering around the tents, talking to them about the old ways of life, and just enjoying the simplicity of those times.

Wanna go sailing?

Favorite thing: Lots of sailors around Pawtuxet village. We have two yacht clubs nearbye. One of them has a collection of sailors with old S boats made by Hereschoff of Bristol, RI. They race every Wednesday evening. You can see them from several places along the shoreline.

Check in at a local yard sale

Favorite thing: Couldn't resist including this one...altho a little silly. It's a typical sight to see folks cleaning out their old attics and garages on a sunny weekend. Ad in the newspaper and a few signs on the telephone poles will get them there every time. Doesn't everybody love to poke around in someone else's cast offs?

Check local shops ~ eat ice cream on the bridge!

Favorite thing: There is a little shop at the edge of the bridge named, "Dear Hearts" ice cream shop. As soon as the weather warms, you will see neighbors walking down in the evening....standing on the bridge with an ice cream cone. Rhode Islanders are known for their appetite for ice cream,,,and there is no better place than in the middle of Pawtuxet to enjoy a cone....with jimmies!

Find an antique!

Favorite thing: GosiaPL enjoyed this shop, owned by Claire, who has a wonderful collection of china and other giftware. Her specialty is Lamoge china...which is beautifully hand painted and so delicate. Gosia had trouble deciding amongst all the decorative tea cups there were to choose from. You could find sterling silver pieces, art work, old jewelry, pottery and linens at Antique Haven. It's really a joy to poke around in this little shop on Post Road hill.