History Night II maps the past
Ray Watson, Greg Gerritt and David Kolsky find their bearings on an insurance map from the early 20th century. Sue Korté (left) provided the maps.
About 20 neighbors took part in our “Where the East Side Used to Be” History NIght on Tuesday, November 23 at Church of the Redeemer. This neighborhood history event was organized in partnership with the Mt. Hope Neighborhood Association to give everyone a chance to share their own stories about the past of our neighborhood. After looking at maps from the 1900s and 1950s, we made a short list of vanished stores, restaurants and schools. We agreed to continue exploring the past by seeking knowledge, photos and other records of the past from our neighbors with more events and projects in 2010.
We focused mainly on the area between North Main Street or the Moshassuck River on the west to Hope Street on the east and from Olney Street north to Pawtucket. About 20 people attended. The first joint History Night was held in September of 2008 and focused on the history of North Main Street, including the Providence Steamroller football team, (1928 National Football League champions!) which held games on the site of the present Shaw’s Plaza.
Maps and images
After introductions, we got up to inspect two sets of maps on display. One set of photocopies of Sanborn insurance maps from 1957, showed what the neighborhood looked like about the time it first reached full “build out” (all land developed) but before major projects like University Heights, Route 95 and Miriam Hospital expansion occurred. We also had a few images of buildings from the Historical Society collection and Mt. Hope Neighborhood Association.
Another collection of original, full-size color insurance maps, brought by Susan Korté, showed different sections of the neighborhood from sometime prior to 1920, perhaps as early as the 1890s. These maps showed some very interesting “used to be” sites:
- · A reservoir on the site of Hope High (Hope Street High was across the street).
- · The Metcalf Botanical Gardens at the site of Brown’s Alumni Stadium.
- · Brown’s sports field taking up several blocks between Camp and Ivy Street.
- · Open space north of Rochambeau between Summit and North Main.
- · More undeveloped land from Top Street to Hope where Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Streets are today.
- · Many more neighborhood schools, all named for streets: Montague Street, Doyle Avenue, Camp Street, Rochambeau Avenue and Summit Avenue.
- · A surprising number of greenhouses.
Attendees were invited to share recollections of businesses, schools and neighborhood groups by adding Post-it notes to the maps. Here were some of the places we could remember: Read more
SNA PARK PARTY THIS SUNDAY ~ 7/19 ~ 3-5PM
Please join us for the 2nd Annual SNA park party to this Sunday, July 19th.
We’ll have snacks and games from 3-5pm at the 9th Street Park (corner of 9th and Summit). Please plan to stop by to say hello to your neighbors and learn more about the Summit Neighborhood Association. For more information contact the events committee at events@sna.providence.ri.us.
Please help spread the word by passing this info along to your friends and neighbors.
We hope to see you there!
Park Party Postponed to July 19th
Due to the gray day and the chance of thunderstorms later today we are postponing the SNA park party to the rain date, Sunday July 19th. Hope to see you then!
Second Annual SNA Park Party Sunday June 28th
Please save the date for the second annual SNA park party to be held on Sunday, June 28th from 3pm-5pm at the 9th Street park (Corner of 9th and Summit).
This is great chance to meet your neighbors and learn about the Summit Neighborhood Association. We will have snacks and games, please plan to stop by and say hello.
For more information contact the events committee at events@sna.providence.ri.us
Upcoming SNA Events
Please join us at Chez Pascal for the Spring SNA wine tasting!
Wednesday May 13th at 6pm
Meet your neighbors, try some new french wines, learn more about the
Summit Neighborhood Assc and sample the food and wine at Chez Pascal.
$25 per person includes wine tasting and hors d’ oerves
(tax and gratuity included in price)
Please RSVP to events@sna.providence.ri.us by May 8th.
Chez Pascal is located at 960 Hope Street
http://www.chez-pascal.com/
SNA Event: Neighborhood Night on Hope St.
Please save the date…
Thursday, March 19th
for our neighborhood night at
Nanda Interiors and luxe boutique
From 6-7:30 Nanda Head, from Nanda Interiors
will be hosting
“Do’s and Don’ts of Decorating”.
Come learn the insider tricks to decorating your home and
browse the store for new ideas. Refreshments will be served.
Her store is located 782 Hope Street.
Please RSVP to events@sna.providence.ri.us.
Take SNA’s 2009 Summit Issues Survey
What does your neighborhood need? Help plan Summit Neighborhood Association’s activities for 2009 by taking SNA’s amazingly quick 2009 Community Issues Survey Click Here to take survey.
The top issues emerging from this survey will be discussed in detail at our 2009 Annual Meeting coming up on February 23 at 7pm at Summit Commons Nursing Home 99 Hillside Ave.
Busy fall meeting schedule for SNA
Candidates NIght - October 20, 7 p.m. - Summit Commons
Ladies Night - November 13 7-9 p.m. J. Marcel, Hope St
SNA Monthly Meetings All neighbors welcome. Meetings at 7.p.m. at Summit Commons, 99 Hillside Avenue
- Monday, • October 27
- Monday, • November 17, guest: Public Works Dir. John Nicholson
- Monday, • December 15
North Main Project Workshops
- Tuesday, • November 11 Residential North Main, Fantasy or Vision?
- Tuesday, • December 2 North Main and the End of Oil
Update to Park Party:
The Summit Neighborhood Summer Park Party at the 9th Street park (Corner of 9th St and Summit Ave) has been rescheduled to Sunday August 17 at 3:00 PM. Download details.
Drop by to meet your Summit neighbors and play croquet, frisbee and have a glass of lemonade.
Questions?: events@sna.providence.ri.us.
Yard Sale Held May 17
The Summit Neighborhood Association’s annual yard sale was held on May 17, the rain date. The sun came out before the 9:00 start and with organaizer Connie Chesbrough’s experience and the hard work of many volunteers, another successful Summit Neighborhood Association yard sale was held. As usual, there was a mad rush as the gate was opened at the 9:00 post time. Offers were made and accepted, and many treasures were discovered and carted away.
This year’s yard sale profits will go to Save the Henry Bowen Anthony Fountain in Lippitt Park.