HISTORY
History of the Project
The State Home and School Project at Rhode Island College was initiated in
the spring of 2001 when Trinity Square Repertory Theatre contacted the Rhode
Island Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) for historic background
material that would be helpful as the Theatre Company began pre-production
of John Irving’s Cider House Rules, a novel set against the backdrop of an
early orphanage. Richard Hillman, an administrator of DCYF and RIC alumnus,
began reviewing old documents relating to the State Home and School. Hillman
soon realized that he had uncovered several important pieces of state history. He
also recognized that the current East Campus of Rhode Island College possessed
three original structures of the State Home. Hillman met with the College’s
President, John Nazarian, Michael Smith, his assistant, and Pierre Morenon,
associate professor of anthropology. The discussion into the importance
of the history contained on the East Campus began.
History of the Project continued
Yellow Cottage Renovation
The exterior of the last remaining wooden structure of the Rhode Island State
Home and School is currently under renovation. A construction contract for
renovation of the exterior of the Yellow Cottage on the East Campus has been
awarded to Tower Construction Corp. of Cranston. Estimated cost for this phase
of the project is $291,000. Funding for the project is provided by grants from
the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission and through an
appropriation secured by Rhode Island's Congressional Delegation.
Click here for more information.
History of the Home
The State Home for Dependent and Neglected Children was founded in 1884 on
what was previously known as “Walnut Grove Farm.” Its original
purpose was to provide care to children who were neglected or dependent on
the state for support. The State Home was one of the first post-Civil War
public orphanages in the United States. Up until that time, large state-operated
institutions called almshouses were the primary means of support for dependent
children who were not fortunate enough to be placed in small, privately sponsored
orphanages. Public dismay regarding the poor conditions of the almshouse
and the children's exposure to adults who were charged with criminal acts
or physically and/or mentally ill, led to state legislation that established
the State Home.
To learn more about the project contact Patricia Nolin, Special Assistant to the President, call (401) 456-9854, or email pnolin@ric.edu.
To contribute to the oral history project contact Diane Martell at dmartell@ric.edu (email) or 401-456-8628 (phone).
