When we started our trip to the North East one of our goals was to visit remaining states so we could say we had been in all 50 states.
We had been in many of the states prior to our full time RV'ing but we have been able to continue adding on new ones.
Since Rhode Island was not on a direct route of our travels we took a day trip from Massachusetts to Woonsocket, RI.
Woonsocket is directly south of the Massachusetts state line. The first question that entered my mind was where did the name Woonsocket come from? In researching I found that there were so many possibilities of where its name came from that I gave up and was just pleased to learn that you pronounce it Won-Sock-It.
The Village of Woonsocket was founded in the 1820's and it grew during the Industrial Revolution. There is ample nearby water and the region became a prime location for textile mills. During the Great Depression the mills closed and the village has never fully recovered. Some renovation has taken place and they are promoting it as a bedroom community for those who work in Providence, Boston and Worcester. I love how the railroad crosses above main street.
They have erected a pretty pavilion on a former mill site to greet you as you come into downtown.
Some of the renovations seemed a little quirky to us. The population of Woonsocket is around 42,000 and it is the sixth largest town in the state. Providence's population as the largest is 178,000.......keep in mind Rhode Island is our smallest state.
The Buckland and Clark Building was a woolen mill on the back and the front a block of stores. The classical details are carried out in copper on the windows of the second floor.
Much of Woonsocket's populations is of French-Canadian descent. The city has referred to itself as La ville la plus française aux États-Unis—the most French city in the United States.
A true small town and Walt's favorite part of the day was our stop here for lunch. A neat as a pin small cafe and as we entered a table of locals told us that everything was good. A couple tables were full and soon after we came another couple came in and a local gentleman. The lady that owns the cafe was doing it all, taking orders, cooking, delivering food, clearing tables, taking payment.......and doing it well. She had one of the regular customers call her son and have him come in to help. By the time he came she had it all under control. Our food was good and the conversation with the Mom and son was fun. Another great day in small town America.
We spent the remainder of our time in Massachusetts hunkered down waiting for Hurricane Jose to pass with rain storms but no high winds. From there we headed to sunshiny Barkhamsted Connecticut.
Thinking that it would be cool by the time that we got to Connecticut I had requested a site out in the open so we would have the sun to keep us warm. Who would have thought that it would be in the high 80's toward the end of September? Yes, the A/C was running.
Our week-end stop in Connecticut was so we could visit the Capitol in Hartford.
This building is the third capitol building for the State of Connecticut since the American Revolution.
To say the third time is a charm would be an understatement.
Before this building Connecticut lawmakers met alternately in Hartford and New Haven in State Houses in each city. But, after the Civil War this arrangement became too complicated and each city competed but Hartford won.
It's design is listed as Eastlake style with French and Gothic Revival elements. I call is pure Fairy Palace style. It was completed in 1878 and the original cost was $2,532.524.43.
The Connecticut State Capitol is a unique building in both style and function. It is a working Capitol.
What a magnificent building.
The ornately decorated exterior is almost too much to take in.
Statues of politicians and other people important to the state's history are grouped by period around the building.
Distinctive ornate shapes even in the windows.
The top of the dome is about 257 feet above ground. On top of this portion originally there was a 17 foot statue named the Genius of Connecticut that was cast in bronze. It was taken down in 1938 due to damage from a hurricane that year. In World War II it was melted down to make ammunition and machine parts. In 2002 a bill passed to make a new casting and restore it to the dome. The original plaster statue is now at the capitol and has been coated in bronze. She has not yet been placed in her original position because of a lack of funding.
This is the best photo I could get of her.......more on that later.
These scenes in the arches are called tympana and are placed over openings such as doorways or windows. They all depict scenes from Connecticut history.
This is easily the largest and most remarkable exterior of any Capitol we have seen.
This marble palace has mesmerized me. And left me with a HUGE regret.
When travel plans were made the only time available for Hartford was a week-end.
The Capitol is not opened for visitors on the week-end.
The only interior I could see was through the windows and it looks glorious. So if any of you win the lottery and are looking for a great gift for someone a plane ticket to Hartford on a weekday would be very appreciated.
Hands down my favorite exterior and since I didn't see the interior I can't say if it can outdo the interior of the Iowa Capitol. More time in Hartford to come.