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ProvidenceOct 8, 2007
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Spring used by Roger Williams
We head back to the RV and head out of town. Our next stop is Providence, RI and the Roger Williams National Historic Site. This is in downtown Providence but at least the parking is easier. There are plenty of spots right in front of the Visitor Center. We get pictures, watch the movie and talk with the park ranger.
Roger Williams was born in 1603, trained as a minister and came to the Massachusetts Bay Colony seeking religious freedom in 1631. Williams thought that church and state should be separate but the Puritans thought differently. The conflict resulted in Williams leaving Salem and settling in an area on land given to him by the Narragansett Indians.
Williams named the place "Providence," and the petitioned the King of England to grant a charter to "Rhode Island". Williams fought for his beliefs and it was eventually incorporated into the Constitution of the U.S. as the first amendment.
