The Sprague Mansion is proud to announce the Rhode Island Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial has officially endorsed our Lincoln birthday events. July 19-20, 2008 Lincoln's War Governor Takes Command To commemorate the first Battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861, a Civil War Military living history. Saturday July 19, 2008 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Civil War Living History Encampment.Stroll the Sprague grounds and step back in history and enjoy Civil War displays and camp life. 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wine & Cheese Reception (before the Lecture) Enjoy welcoming reception that includes a complimentary Sprague-Lincoln Commemorative Wine.(a split bottle ~ Special Limited Edition) 4 p.m. Lecture: Mr. Lincoln’s Navy in the Civil War, Commerce & History of Newport Naval War College. Honored Speaker: Mr. Leonard Panaggio, Author—Historian of Newport, Rhode Island Mr. Panaggio was a member of Board Management, Cranston Historical Society for many years. He is a founding member of the Cranston Historical Society, which acquired the Governor Sprague Mansion as a museum to help educate the people of Cranston and Rhode Island about their history. He served as Director of Tourism for the State of Rhode Island from 1952 to 1983. Mr. Panaggio served on the Rhode Island Civil War Centennial Commission from 1961 to 1965 with the late U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell, and late Harold E. Arnold, the last RI Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War member to serve as Commander-in-Chief of the National SUVCW organization. He is a freelance writer for several publications on historic locations and tourism across the United States and has published numerous articles about maritime history and the Civil War over the past three decades. Sunday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Civil War Living History Encampment 1 p.m. Flag Dedication & Tour of the Carriage House (immediately following ceremony. Admissions for the Weekend Events: $20.00 Ticket for Entire Event & Encampment (Both Days), plus the Wine Reception & Lecture (per person) $18.00 For Lecture & Wine Reception only (per person) $3.00 Tickets for Civil War Encampment on either Sat. or Sun.: Adult $1.00 Tickets for Civil War Encampment on either Sat. of Sun.: Children under 12 Checks payable to: Cranston Historical Society (notation July Lincoln-Sprague). To reserve your place before July 19, send checks by July 15 to: c/o Cranston Historical Society, 1351 Cranston Street, Cranston, RI 02910. (401)944-9226   September 13, 2008 Celebrating Lincoln's Visit to Rhode Island and Governor Sprague's birthday at the Sprague Mansion. A highlight of the day will be our special guest Mackenzie Melemed.  He will honor the Governor by playing the "Governor Sprague March"  on the Sprague Mansion's Grand Centennial Piano.   email lrapoza@cox.net

August 9th at 7 PM Rory Raven Returns to the Sprague Mansion! The Master of the Mind returns to the Mansion with a new amazing show. Tickets are now on sale for the Rory Raven Show at the Mansion. In case you didn’t know, Rory is the man who rode a bike blindfolded from Knightsville to the Mansion last year. He can read your mind. Absolutely amazing! How does he do that? Very well!. Tickets are $12.00 by mail. $15.00 by paypal.

Sprague Mansion Craft Show October 4, 2008 Space is $30.00 Click for application form.

Birthplace of Governors and the setting of Rhode Island Legal History The Sprague Mansion on Cranston Street has seen its share of Rhode Island history. It was the home of William Sprague II who was one of the first men to print calico cotton cloth in abundance at affordable prices. It was the setting for the funeral of Amasa Sprague after his battered body was disocvered in Johnston on New Year's Eve 1843. His murder changed capital punishment in Rhode Island when a rush to judgment may have put the wrong man to death on the gallows. This was the home of Col Amasa Sprague. He and his brother William Sprague 4 were the richest men in America at the time of the American Civil War. The A. & W. Sprague Company was printing calico cloth in the millions of yards. The Bell of Washington Kate Chase and her father. Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury (later Chief Justice of the Supreme Court) visited here before she married Senator William Sprague. This house was the site of the where Col Amasa Sprague thought of incorporating the Union Horsecar Railroad the fore runner of the Rhode Island Transportation Bus Line and here he decided to build the Narragansett Trotting Park because he did not like the corruption and gambling that was happening to the sport of the trotting horses at Washington Park. After the fall of the A. & W. Sprague Company in 1873 the Narragansett Park changed hands many times and served Rhode Island well as a back drop for much history including the Rhode Island State Fair until 1899. With all this history and politics and murder at the mansion some say the house is haunted. It could be. Sprague Mansion brochure

Create your own special memories at the Mansion A unique & charming ambience will cast a warm glow over you & your guests all during your wedding ceremony & reception. Sprague Mansion has been hosting weddings, receptions, showers, bridal parties, corporate meetings and gatherings for nearly 30 years. Close to Warwick and Providence. Sprague Mansion is handicapped accessible to the first floor. To rent the mansion for your wedding reception, shower or party call 401-944-9226. We are pleased to link with IvyRose Flower Shoppe 1680 Cranston St 401-942-9540 Rhode Island Rentals Sweet Streams Chocolate Fountains

>

156 Scituate Ave The Joy Brook Farm Rich in history of Cranston, the Joy Homestead was the first home of the Cranston Historical Society. No longer the headquarters the homestead serves a greater function for the Society, it is used as the background for teaching elementary school children life as it was in the 1770's. Volunteers from the Society and children participate in various domestic arts from the period. These crafts include spinning wool, weaving and braiding, cooking and games of the period. For twenty three years the Cranston Historical Society has used the historic sites of the Sprague Mansion and Joy Homestead as background to address central themes and issues of American history, local history and government. History of the Joy Homestead and Joy Town

Friends of Cranston Historical Cemeteries Many of the cemeteries have been abandoned and left to nature to reclaim and vandals to destroy. These plots of Cranston History need to be reclaimed for future generations of genealogists and historians. The future is in the past and the past is written on the gravestones of families like the Fenners, Knights, Spragues,Burlingames and Stones to just mention a few of Cranston's founding familes. The Friends of Cranston Historical Cemeteries needs your help! Do you have an old family plot on your property that no one knows about? Please call or email the Friends with your name and address of the cemetery. We may be able to get it cleaned up. All cemeteries need to be recorded.

LOST "Farewell Little Alice we shall see thee no more. Thy days are all numbered on this mortal shore. Thou has gone to him who has said in love that little children belong to his kingdom above." Please help locate us the cemeteries where the following stones belong: Poor Little Alice needs to go home

Websites of historical sites and families of Cranston.


Major Thomas Fenner House

Does anyone remember this farmhouse on Cranston Street in Arlington?

HELP! Mystery Photos that maybe you can identify.

---

Cranston Print Works Village History

Our link for People and places of Cranston long ago.

Voices and Visions of Pawtuxet Village

Old Cranston Families