Upcoming Events

Preserving the People’s Park

June 5

A walking tour of the Japanese and Victorian Rose Gardens at Roger Williams Park Open to the public since 1871, Roger Williams Park was intended to serve as a restorative escape for those living and working in increasingly urban Providence from the very beginning. Today, the park’s 435 beautiful acres include expansive manicured grounds, public…

Rehabilitating a Historic Garden: Preserving Living History at Shakespeare’s Head

June 7

A virtual presentation by Landscape Architect Elena Pascarella, PLA, ASLA What is a cultural landscape and why do they matter? Landscape Architect Elena Pascarella discusses these questions and more in relation to PPS’s own Colonial Revival garden behind the building known as Shakespeare’s Head (the John and Amey Carter house). Pascarella’s firm, Landscape Elements LLC,…

Outside / Inside: The Public and Private Lives of Houses and Their Gardens

June 9

A virtual presentation by RISD Professor Emeritus James Barnes, AIA This year’s Festival features gardens, rather than houses, but most of them complement beautiful historic homes. While we can’t invite you inside this year, local architect and RISD professor James Barnes will explore how these homes and gardens navigate the relationship between the public life…

Re-Wilding the City: Urban Landscapes as Integral City Infrastructure

June 10

A walking tour of Living Edge and 10,000 SUNS with Landscape Architect and Artist Adam Anderson There are few more photographed landscapes in Providence than Adam Anderson’s 10,000 SUNS installation, which sets a field of riotous sunflowers against the dramatic city skyline. In 2019, Anderson expanded his landscape vision along the Providence River, with the…

2021 Festival of Gardens

June 12-13

The Providence Preservation Society is delighted to announce our special Festival of Gardens taking place on June 12-13 and presented in partnership with The Garden Conservancy. Guests will enjoy exclusive access to a selection of private gardens at historic homes, a community garden that celebrates the city’s diversity, and a Colonial Revival garden stewarded by…

Digging Deeper: Challenges of Urban Gardens in Historic Settings

June 13

Landscape architect Mary Worrell will discuss the challenges of incorporating the desires of new owners in an already established garden of a much-admired property in an urban, historic neighborhood. Topics to be addressed include spatial planning, incorporating vistas of the State Capitol building and sunsets, accommodating daily family life, respecting local historical preservation rules and…

Digging Deeper: A Historic Landscape to Console and Inspire

June 13

One of the country’s first garden cemeteries and a precursor of urban public parks, Swan Point was established in 1846. It is nestled between the Seekonk River and Blackstone Boulevard in Providence, creating a refuge of Arcadian peace and beauty acclaimed for the abundance of trees, shrubs and seasonal flowers, with horticultural facilities and greenhouses…

Architectural River Tour

June 2

Take in 300 years of architectural history as you cruise Providence’s waterways. This 75-minute boat tour, led by the Providence Preservation Society, highlights the stories, sightlines, and subtle details that define Providence. From the most eye-catching landmarks on the city skyline to hidden architectural gems, you’ll discover historic Providence from the best seat in town!…