Christmas at the Castle

Almost sixty years ago, three Rhode Island women embarked on a project to bring Rhode Island colonial history alive to local residents. Realizing how little was recorded about the women of that time, Mrs. Emily Greene, a docent at Smith’s Castle (Cocumscussoc) searched for an idea to spark interest in their lives. She particularly wished to appeal to the children who regularly visited the Castle with their school groups. Costumed dolls seemed a logical way to so this, but it was not something she could accomplish alone. Mrs. Green enlisted the help of Mary Whitlock, then Head of the Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design Department of the University of Rhode Island. Ms. Whitlock provided the research and design for appropriate clothing for each of the dolls, representing different historic periods. In addition she supplied 18th and 19th century fabrics she had collected from several Rhode Island families with which to construct them. Finally, as Mrs. Green herself said, “Miss Anna Yost interpreted with her clever needle my simple idea . . . and made the ladies out of ‘whole cloth.’ Older residents of North Kingstown may remember the Cocumscussoc Ladies displayed at the Castle for the next thirty years.

This year four of the dolls will again be on display at the annual “Christmas at the Castle” (December 1-2; 12-4pm). Live interpreters, dressed in appropriate costumes, will be present to tell more of the ladies’ stories. For example, Joan Smith emigrated from England in the 1630s with her husband, Richard Smith, Sr. and five children. Visitors will notice that her doll holds a wheel of Good Rhode Island Cheese in her lap; find out why. You will meet her sickly daughter-in-law, Esther Smith, watching for her husband, Richard Smith, Jr. to sail into the cove on return from his many travels. Moving forward to the time when the Updikes gained ownership of the Castle, you will meet Abigail Newton Updike, noted as an herbal healer. Perhaps she will share some of her “simples” with you. Daniel Updike, long-time Attorney General of Rhode Island in the mid-1700s, will tell you about his second (of three) wives, Anstis Jenkins Updike.

In addition to our “Ladies,” visitors to Christmas at the Castle, will be entertained on Saturday by the always popular Beacon Pole Hill DAR Chapter Dulcimer Players and the Brown University Madrigal Singers. On Sunday we will feature Updyke Rose and the St. Luke’s Bell Choir. And on both days Father Christmas will be in attendance and Mrs. Claus and Sheila Reynolds will entertain with music and stories for the children. Children’s craft activities, cookie decorating, and face painting will be included in the admission price, as well as complimentary mulled cider and cookies. For the shoppers among us, there will be vendors, a Bake Sale featuring home-made treats and a Holiday White Elephant Sale featuring wreaths and vintage Christmas decorations. Admission is: Adult, $6.00; Children 6-12 years, $3.00; Children under 6, free; Family Cap, $20.00. Contact 401-294-3521, email smithscastle55@gmail.com or visit our website at http://www.smithscastle.org/ for more information.

POSSIBLE CAPTIONS FOR PHOTOS

PHOTO #1 – Joan Smith, wife of Richard Smith Sr., was mistress of the first English house in Narragansett Country

PHOTO #2 – Esther Smith, wife of Richard Smith, Jr. saw the transition of Smith Castle from trading post to plantation manor.

PHOTO #3 – Abigail Newton Updike (wife of Lodowick Updike) treated family, slaves and native people with her herbs.

PHOTO #4 – Anstis Jenkins Updike with her husband Daniel Updike lived at the height of the Plantation Era.