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Betsey Williams Cottage
The historic Betsey Williams Cottage was the home to Park donor Betsey Williams and her sister Rhoda.
The cottage was once surrounded by brush and woods, accessed by a winding cart path that lead from Broad Street. The sisters’ hospitality was famous, even if they did have their eccentricities. According to legend in The Jewel of Providence, the 150-year old London Plane tree in front of the building has:
“…a semblance of glistening beams [that] can be seen coming from near the top of this mighty tree. Mystics swear this happening is the workings of Betsey and Rhoda Williams imploring the majestic Plane to lay bare its “white skin” and benchmark the safe location of the Cottage for any wayward traveler in search of hearth and home. ”
The cottage has undergone many restorations, mostly recently in 2019-2020.
Date Erected:
1773
1773
Architect:
The Williams Family
The Williams Family
Did you know?
This is the oldest structure in the Park by almost 120 years!
This is the oldest structure in the Park by almost 120 years!
on Self-Guided Tour of Notable ArtHelp us make Roger Williams Park a vibrant place for everyone.
Help us make Roger Williams Park a vibrant place for everyone.