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Providence, Rhode Island

"The Creative Capital"

Founded by Roger Williams on the principle of religious freedom, Providence is a college city, design hub, and the smallest state's biggest city.

Founded 1636 | Population 196,657 | Peak 253,504 (1940) | County Providence County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Providence, Rhode Island

1636Roger Williams Founds Providence: Banished from Massachusetts for his religious views, Roger Williams founded Providence as a haven for religious freedom.

1772Gaspee Affair: Rhode Islanders burned the British customs ship HMS Gaspee in Narragansett Bay — one of the first acts of rebellion before the Revolution.

1790First Factory in America: Samuel Slater opened the first successful water-powered textile mill in nearby Pawtucket, launching the American Industrial Revolution.

1877RISD Founded: Rhode Island School of Design was established, eventually becoming one of the world's premier art and design colleges.

2014Creative Capital Renaissance: Providence rebranded as 'The Creative Capital,' leveraging RISD, Brown University, and a growing arts scene to revitalize the economy.

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Complete Historical Timeline

1636 Government

Roger Williams founds Providence

1772 Government

Gaspee Affair — pre-Revolution rebellion

1790 Industry

American Industrial Revolution begins nearby

1877 Culture

RISD founded

1940 Government

Peak population of 253,000

1980 Politics

Buddy Cianci era begins

2000 Culture

WaterFire art installation becomes icon

2014 Business

Creative Capital rebranding

Did You Know?

Providence was one of the first cities in America to industrialize — the American Industrial Revolution essentially began at Slater Mill in nearby Pawtucket.

WaterFire, a public art installation of bonfires on the Providence River, draws over 1 million visitors annually.

Former mayor Buddy Cianci was convicted of racketeering in 2002, ran again from prison, and remained beloved by many residents.

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