Babcock-Smith House Museum

Holiday Open House at the Museum
2023-12-09 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | BSHM Carriage House, 124 Granite Street, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Take home our popular cookie platters and homemade biscotti. Shop early at Joshua’s Store and enter our gift certificate raffle. Free hot cider, muffins, gourmet soup and Museum Tours.

Who Was ‘Crazy Harry’?
2023-11-05 14:00 (America/New_York) | BSHM Carriage House, 124 Granite Street, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Presented by Suzanne Matteson
Suzanne will share her research on Harry Babcock, whose portrait is featured in both the Museum house and the Stonington Historical Society Palmer Mansion.
Free to members. $5.00 for not-yet members.

Auction: Going Once, Going Twice, Sold!
2023-09-17 13:00 - 14:00 UTC | BSHM Carriage House, 124 Granite Street, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Preview: 1:00 pm
Auction: 2:00 pm
Huge auction, conducted by Bob Ward, features antiques, primitives, country pieces, big and small. Something for everyone. Postings will be made and updated regularly at auctionzip.com. Once there, just type in “RI” and look for “Your auctioneer Bob Ward.” His ID number is 3745.
On the grounds of the Babcock Smith House Museum

Collecting Fruit Jars
2023-09-10 14:00 - 15:00 UTC | BSHM Carriage House, 124 Granite Street, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Presented by Maureen Bjorkland
This presentation explores how canning foodstuffs has developed over the years. Fruit jars, more commonly known as canning or mason jars, in their amazing array of colors, sizes and shapes will be displayed!
At the Carriage House.
Free to members. $5.00 for not-yet members.

Downtown Granite Tour
2023-08-09 18:30 - 2023-08-10 18:30, 2023-07-11 14:00 - 2023-07-12 17:00 UTC
Walking Tour of significant Westerly granite buildings, monuments, and other often overlooked examples of the contributions of Westerly granite craftsmen.
Meet at the Columbus Statue in Wilcox Park across from the Town Hall.
Free to members.
$5.00 for not-yet members.

Open House
2023-05-27 14:00 - 17:00 UTC
Free tours. Joshua’s Store open.
Program TBA

Italian Immigrant Traditions in Westerly
2023-05-07 14:00 - 17:00 UTC | BSHM Carriage House, 124 Granite Street, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Presented by Edward Gradilone
Italian immigrants settled here more than one hundred years ago, bringing with them many traditions. What traditions are still alive and well today? What traditions still exist, but have changed: What traditions are no longer practiced?
At the Carriage House.
Free to members. $5.00 for not-yet members.

History Revealed by Monuments Between 1875 and 1920
2023-04-23 14:00 - 2023-09-03 17:00 UTC | River Bend Cemetery, United States
Presented by Museum Volunteers
Once again, we are participating in Historical Cemeteries Month sponsored statewide by Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission. In collaboration with the River Bend Cemetery, we will be conducting a walking tour of a small section of the cemetery. Our goal is three-fold. By examining monuments, we can learn about family genealogy, significant events of the time period and artistic trends of the era.
At River Bend Cemetery.
Donations accepted.

Why Some Monuments Can’t Seem to Stay in One Place
2023-04-16 14:00 - 17:00 UTC | BSHM Carriage House, 124 Granite Street, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Presented by John Linton
This program will focus on the closing of cemeteries in San Francisco and the destruction of monuments there, and the movement of the Horace Greeley statue in NYC, the John Mason statue in Connecticut, the Stonewall Jackson statue in VA, and the Soldiers and Sailors Civil War Monument in Providence.
At the Carriage House.
Free to members. $5.00 for not-yet members.

Did you read the news? Newspaper Stories of the Westerly Granite Industry
2023-03-25 14:00 - 17:00 UTC | BSHM Carriage House, 124 Granite Street, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Presented by Hugh Barton Sunday,
In his research, Hugh has discovered some fascinating local granite stories which he will share with us.
At the Carriage House.
Free to members. $5.00 for not-yet members.

Secrets of the Museum
2023-02-02 14:00 - 17:00 UTC | BSHM Carriage House, 124 Granite Street, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Presented by Ed Fazio and Tony Smith
If you missed the original presentation, come see photos of seldom-seen features, such as the Roman archway in the basement, and share your stories.
At the Carriage House.
Free to members. $5.00 for not-yet members.

Christmas at the Babcock-Smith House
2022-12-10 09:00 - 12:00 UTC | BSHM Carriage House, 124 Granite Street, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
The Babcock-Smith House docents will be selling cookies, raffle baskets and gift certificates. Joshua’s Store will be open. Complimentary hot cider, cookies, and mini-muffins. Free tours of the holiday -decorated mansion.

Down by the Riverside
2022-07-12 18:00 - 2022-08-09 18:00 UTC | River Bend Cemetery, United States
rain date July 14
rain date August 11
Presented by Museum volunteers
Museum volunteers will share insights into the monuments in an older section of River Bend Cemetery. This year the tour will focus on the people in this section rather than the granite details of the monuments. Parking is most available near the office and the nearby side streets.
Riverbend Cemetery.
Free to members. $5.00 for not-yet members.

Little Victorians Garden Tea
2022-06-29 13:00 - 2023-06-29 15:00 UTC | BSHM Carriage House, 124 Granite Street, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Save the date for another of our delectable tea parties in the Carriage House to celebrate the opening of Little Victorians, our latest exhibit depicting the world of children during the Victorian Age and beyond. Enjoy a program (to be announced) as well as the usual delicious luncheon fare prepared by the Museum’s docents.
Tickets are $25 and include the Tea Party and viewing of the exhibit in the Museum House.
Advance purchase is required; please call (401) 348-5971..

Reminisce with Gert
2022-06-05 14:00 - 2023-06-05 17:00 UTC | BSHM Carriage House, 124 Granite Street, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Join us as Gertrude Smith shares her memories of the history of the trust. She and her husband Isaac were part of the history for over forty years of the museum’s development. “We’ve come a long way, baby.”
Carriage House
Free to members. $5.00 for not-yet members.

Open House
2022-05-28 14:00 - 2023-05-28 17:00 UTC | BSHM Carriage House, 124 Granite Street, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Join us for our annual open house featuring the opening event of Little Victorians, a charming new exhibit from the Museum’s textile collection featuring children’s clothing, toys, games and books, along with an exquisite collection of christening gowns from the Victorian Age and beyond.
View the beautiful handiwork on the babies’ bonnets, booties and bibs, and children’s day dresses, pinafores and coats on display in the Museum House through Labor Day.
Free tours of the exhibit and child-friendly refreshments.
Carriage House
Free to members. $5.00 for not-yet members.

Celebrating the Evolution of River Bend Cemetery
2022-04-24 14:00 - 16:00 UTC | River Bend Cemetery, United States
(rain date May 1)
Presented by River Bend Cemetery and the Babcock-Smith House Museum
The Open House at River Bend Cemetery will celebrate the major renovation of its office and invites the public to tour the office, view exhibits, and take short tours of selected stones in the cemetery.
Opening remarks will be at 2:15. Tours will leave the office on the quarter hour beginning at 2:30. Last tour at 3:30.
Refreshments by the BSHM Docents.
At River Bend Cemetery
Free to all.

Digging Up the Past
2022-04-13 18:30 - 2023-04-13 17:00 UTC | BSHM Carriage House, 124 Granite Street, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Presented by Matthew Hayden
Hayden, a Westerly police detective who enjoys treasure hunting with a metal detector, will discuss and display some of the many historical items found locally including coins, buttons, buckles, and many more.
At the Carriage House
Free to all

Sherlock’s Books
2022-03-27 14:00 - 2023-03-27 17:00 UTC | BSHM Carriage House, 124 Granite Street, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Presented by Bob Madison
Retired English professor Bob Madison will offer a discussion of the books of Sherlock Holmes—not the books the famous detective appeared in, but the books that appeared in the famous stories.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was himself especially fond of books, as he wrote in his bibliographical memoir Through the Magic Door, and many of Doyle’s favorites shaped his well-known Baker Street characters. Professor Madison will share the research for his recent Baker Street Journal article, including having on hand copies of the volumes purported to have been consulted by Holmes and his chronicler, Dr. John Watson.
At the Carriage House.
Free to members. $5.00 for not-yet members.

Soldiers of the Civil War
2022-03-09 06:30 - 2023-03-09 17:00 UTC | BSHM Carriage House, 124 Granite Street, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Presented by Robert Boucher
Boucher, a Civil War reenactor for almost thirty years, will include a discussion and demonstration of the typical gear worn and used by a Civil War soldier as well as a review of a typical soldier’s food, medical care, working conditions, unit marching procedures and unit battle formations.
At the Carriage House
Free to all

Abe Lincoln's Songbook
2022-02-20 14:00 - 17:00 UTC | BSHM Carriage House, 124 Granite Street, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Presented by Peter PIacquadio and muscians
Come hear the music which Abraham Lincoln loved. Brass trio with narration.
At the Carriage House.
Free to members. $5.00 for not-yet members.

Christmas Boutique
2021-12-11 09:00 - 13:00 UTC | BSHM Carriage House, 124 Granite Street, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Cookie platters, raffle of gift certificates, Joshua’s Store and tours of the decorated mansion house.
Babcock Smith House Carriage House.
Current Rhode Island Covid rules in effect.

The Rhode Island 39 Club: Your Passport & Guide to Exploring RI
2021-10-03 13:00 - 17:00 UTC | BSHM Carriage House, 124 Granite Street, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Join author and historian, Marty Podskoch, for a talk about his new travel book, The Rhode Island 39 Club, that encourages people to visit all 39 towns and villages in the RI.
Babcock Smith House Carriage House.
Free to members. $5.00 for non-members
Current Rhode Island Covid rules in effect.

Auction of Treasures from the Attic
2021-09-18 13:00 - 2023-09-18 17:00 UTC | BSHM Carriage House, 124 Granite Street, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
(Raindate Sunday Sept 19)
Save the date! The Babcock-Smith House has cleared out the historic home’s attic and we’re going to auction off the treasures outdoors on Saturday, September 18th. Preview and vendors open at 1 PM, and the auction will start at 2 PM. If you’d like a sneak peek at some of our items, our wonderful auctioneer Bob Ward has posted 120 photos here: https://www.auctionzip.com/Listings/3597338.html
Babcock Smith House lawn

Down by the Riverside - Part II*
2021-08-10 18:00 - 2023-08-10 17:00 UTC | River Bend Cemetery, United States
(rain date Thursday August 12)
Presented by Museum volunteers
Museum volunteers will share insights into the monuments in a section in River Bend Cemetery along the river. Parking is available on the streets by the fence close to the river. We will meet at the large Nardone monument along the river.
River Bend Cemetery
Not-yet members $5.00. free for members
*This is a continuation of the 2020 cemetery tour.

Down by the Riverside - Part II*
2021-07-22 18:00 UTC | River Bend Cemetery, United States
Presented by Museum volunteers
Museum volunteers will share insights into the monuments in a section in River Bend Cemetery along the river. Parking is available along the streets by the fence along the river. We will all meet at the large Nardone monument along the river.
River Bend Cemetery
Not-yet members $5; free for members.
*This is a continuation of the 2020 cemetery tour.

Holiday Boutique
2020-12-27 08:00 - 17:00 UTC | BSHM Carriage House, 124 Granite Street, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
POSTPONED UNTIL 2021
Join us for a holiday marketplace of cookie platters, assorted baked goods, handmade decorative greens, artisinal soaps, hearty soups to go…and much, much more! Place a bid on one of many exquisite raffle baskets and remember to stop in at Joshuas’s Store to see what’s new.
At the Carriage House.

Open House - month of December
2020-12-01 - 2020-12-31 | BSHM Carriage House, 124 Granite Street, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Visit the museum all gussied up for Christmas.
Visits are by small family groups and reservations must be made ahead of time.
All COVID guidelines are in effect. Call 401-596-5704 for reservations.
Thursday, Dec. 3 – reservations available at 6 PM and 7 PM
Friday, Dec. 4 – same as Thursday
Saturday, Dec. 5 – reservations at 2 PM and 3 PM
December 10, 11, 12 same as prior week
December 17, 18, 19 same as prior weeks

Origin of Westerly Street Names
2020-10-04 14:00 - 17:00 UTC | BSHM Carriage House, 124 Granite Street, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Presented by John Coduri
An enjoyable program on how and why many Westerly Street names were chosen over the years.
At the Carriage House. Not-yet members $5; free for members.
