Flat Jane Austen in
Providence, Rhode Island:
June, 18__
My dear friends,
This letter may not reach you until I am home once again. I am preparing to leave this place. My hosts say I can not leave without a visit to the college.
On a sunny day I stroll the grounds of the Allins' home and watch Susanna and her friends run about and play. I explore the gardens and look for hummingbirds.
 Illustration by Becca Stadtlander from Like a Diamond in the Sky: Jane Taylor's Beloved Poem of Wonder and the Stars by Elizabeth Brown |
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| The artist Esther Solondz made this sculpture titled The Hummingbird Palace, to evolve over time. |
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| Flowering vines will grow through the structure while simultaneously attracting hummingbirds. Visit www.thehummingbirdpalace.com |
Then I climb the hill from Benefit Street up to the college. THIS is what passes for an institution of higher learning in America?
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| Jane views University Hall, the original building at Brown University |
This is the college edifice and they believe it will be enough for all the students for all time and never will they need to expand! It was built in 1770 and possibly designed by Mr. Joseph Brown. Mr. Nicholas Brown's family donated the land. The building was done by a number of men of the lower classes including Indians, formerly enslaved men and currently enslaved men. It serves as classroom, office, dining hall, chapel, library and dormitory. The college trains Baptist ministers and educates the sons of local gentlemen. The Frenchies used this building during the War for American Independence and it is rumored the fallen have never left.
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| In Jane's day the roof held a wooden balustrade |
Shortly after my time, in 1823, the building will be renamed University Hall, following the contruction of a second building.
On the way home, I stop at a park and look out over the city. [Prospect Terrace Park, founded 1869]. I can scarce credit this view. It looks so unusual - so different from what I have seen of the city so far! What is this?
[Jane catches up on the history of the city since the 19th-century. ]
This hill, remember the hills Providence was built on?, was a strategic location for the early city. A beacon was placed here to communicate with the towns along the Narragansett Bay. A taller beacon was erected during that war for independence as part of a system of defense and fortifications for the area. In 1775, a fort was built around the beacon at the brow of the hill.
Long afterwards, to the 1850s, earthenwork remains could be seen here. In 1863 a group of citizens donated the land as a public park. A wall was built, creating a terrace overlook. Benches, a carriageway, a tall flagpole made this an impressive place to visit. A spot in the center of the terrace, overlooking the city was chosen for a grand monument to Mr. Roger Williams.
The NINETEEN Thirtys? How extradordinary! In the 1930s, in honor of the city's tricentennial, a memorial statue to state founder Mr. Roger Williams (remember him?) was erected on this spot. The architect had big plans for a memorial, reflecting pool and steps up to the park. Alas, it was not meant to be and all that was built is a sculpture of Mr. Williams looking out over the city.
The remains of Mr. Roger Williams were uncovered and it was found that some of his bones had grown into the root of an apple tree next to his grave. The root took on the shape of a human form. This root and the remainder of his bones were removed and the bones placed under the statue. The root was preserved by historians of this town.
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The modern skyline of Providence! It's changed a lot since 1815! |
Moving along, the scenery begins to change and I am quite perplexed by what I am seeing. I believe I am viewing the future!
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| Rhode Island gifts at Rhody Craft on Hope Street in Providence |
Rhode Island is now the smallest state. It is a weird, wonderful place known as the Ocean State.
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A sample of Rhode Island geography and gifts at Rhody Craft |
 Jane learns more about RI at Frog & Toad gift shop on Hope Street in Providence |
The state symbol is an anchor and the motto is "Hope."
They seem to love unusual foods here such as pork and veal sausages on bread topped with mustard, chopped onion, celery salt, and a spicy ground meat mixture; frozen lemonade, and seafood like lobsters and large clams.
Yours affectionately,
JA
