Smith's Castle's Bridge To The Past

Smith’s Castle hosts Bridge to the
Past
from noon to 4:00 on Saturday May 3rd
and Sunday May 4th,
2014.  Return to the 17th century as re-enactors, soldiers, sailors and
privateers, sutlers and traders, take over Smith’s Castle’s grounds,
transforming it to look as it did when Richard Smith built his trading house on
the banks of Cocumscussoc in 1637.  Visitors will be treated to the sights,
smells and sounds of the 17th century along with tours of the Castle.

This is a weekend encampment of 17th and
18th century reenactment groups during which participants demonstrate
lifestyles of that period as well as typical drilling  techniques of New England militia units.  In addition, the Castle will be open
and staffed by docents to explain the history of the structure as well as the
significance of the Castle collection.

Features
at  Bridge To The Past will Include:  

Saturday

·      Revolutionary War military battle
horsemanship demonstration

·      Children’s activities and an exhibit of farm
animals from Casey Farm

Sunday: 

·      Children’s activities and crafts sponsored
by Smith’s Castle

·      Mary King will perform period music as well
as present an interactive children’s                         
music presentation.

Saturday and
Sunday:

• Periodic drills by militia groups


• Misbehavior by rogues, scoundrels, and
  pirates presented by the RI Pirate Players


• Sea shanties by the Free Men of the Sea
  with an introduction by author Bob Geake


• Maypole dancing


• Colonial craft demonstrations


• Vendors selling colonial craft items,
  jams, jellies, local produce.


• Kenyon’s Grist Mill will be preparing
  samples of their johnnycake mix and will have their products for sale.


• Bake sale of “All Things
  Chocolate”  


• Hartley’s Meat Pies Author, Bob Geake
  Speaks about "the History of the Narragansett Tribe in Rhode
  Island." 

Come see how the earliest European settlers
in Rhode Island lived, played and earned a living at an historic encampment,
with fireside cooking, weapons demonstrations, games and much more.  Spend
a few hours getting to know what Rhode Island was like more than 100 years
before the Revolution. Reenactors attending will include: The Free Men of the
Sea (Pirates), Dave Loda and his horse Huckleberry, Dartmouth Militia and RI
Pirate Players. Children and adults alike may go ‘round the Maypole, play the
game of Graces, Cat’s Cradle, or Stilts.                       

.                             
   

Admission is $6 for adults 13yrs. and older,
$3 for Children 6 –12 years, Free for Members and Children under 6 years old.
Family Cap of $15!

For more information, call: 401-294-3521,
email: smithscastle@earthlink.net or visit the website: www.smithscastle.org

The
Castle is located at 55 Richard Smith Drive, North Kingstown, RI, just off Post
Road (Rt. 1), about 1 mile north of Wickford village and directly across from
the State Police Barracks.

Strawberry Festival to be held on Saturday,
June 14, 2014 (rain date Sunday, June 15th)!