Join Providence Village and AARP RI for a special Walktober history walk through DownCity Providence on Indigenous Peoples' Day/Columbus Day, October 12, 2026. This walk is led by historian and AARP RI volunteer Holly Snyder and Providence Village members and volunteers Jo Ellen Mistarz and Anne Connor. Together we will explore DownCity Providence to uncover fascinating tidbits of Rhode Island history, from its Indigenous heritage and its development as a European colony through the 20th century. Along the way, we explore a few local parks and other spaces with historical treasures hiding in plain sight. We invite you to join us for coffee/lunch at nearby Track 15 after the walk ends.
The event will be held rain or shine unless the weather is extreme. We will meet at the
“Still Here” mural by Gaia, facing East toward Memorial Drive between
Custom House Street and Pine Street in Providence, and we will walk about one mile. This walk is open to all at no charge, and the route has been pre-screened to make it as accessible as possible for mobility devices. Attendees should be aware that there are a few areas with older pavement that is a bit uneven.
For questions, please feel free to contact Jo Ellen Mistarz, Anne Connor, or Holly Snyder (AARP- RI) at
jo.providence.ri@gmail.com.