Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the U.S., but its Native American history runs deep. Long before colonists arrived, tribes like the Narragansett, Niantic, and Wampanoag lived, hunted, and traded across this land. Today, you can still experience that rich heritage at museums, tribal lands, sacred sites, and historical landmarks throughout the state. Whether you’re a local or visiting, here are eight of the best places to learn about Rhode Island’s Native American roots.
1. Tomaquag Museum – Exeter
Founded in 1958, the Tomaquag Museum is Rhode Island’s leading institution for Indigenous culture. It’s owned and operated by Indigenous people and offers a powerful, authentic look into Native American life, past and present. Exhibits include traditional crafts, oral histories, historical documents, and art by local tribal members. This is the best place to start your learning journey.
2. Narragansett Indian Church – Charlestown
This historic church, originally established in the 1740s, has been a central part of the Narragansett Tribe’s religious and community life. It represents the tribe’s resilience and efforts to preserve their culture through centuries of change. Though it’s a working church, it also serves as a powerful symbol of identity and heritage.
3. Royal Indian Burial Grounds – Charlestown
Located near the Narragansett Tribal Land, this quiet and sacred area is the final resting place of several Narragansett leaders and members. While it’s not a tourist site, visiting respectfully gives you a deep sense of connection to the tribe’s past and continued presence in the state.
4. South County Museum – Narragansett
While not exclusively focused on Native history, the South County Museum features artifacts and exhibitions about the region’s original Indigenous peoples. It helps place Native history in the broader story of Rhode Island’s cultural evolution, especially in the South County region.
5. Pettaquamscutt Rock – Near Narragansett/Kingston
Also known as Treaty Rock, Pettaquamscutt Rock marks the site where, in 1657, colonists signed a land agreement with the Narragansett people. While the site itself is simple, it holds deep historic significance in the complicated relationship between settlers and Indigenous communities.
6. Narragansett Indian Powwow Grounds – Charlestown
Each August, the Narragansett Indian Tribe hosts an annual August Meeting Powwow, one of the oldest in North America. It’s open to the public and includes drumming, dancing, storytelling, and vendors selling traditional food and crafts. It’s not just a celebration—it’s a living, breathing expression of Native pride and tradition.
7. Roger Williams National Memorial – Providence
This downtown park honors Roger Williams, Rhode Island’s founder, who had close relationships with the Narragansett and other tribes. While the focus is broader than just Native history, exhibits touch on how Williams’s respectful approach to Indigenous people helped shape Rhode Island’s founding values.
8. Rhode Island Historical Society – Providence
The Rhode Island Historical Society maintains archives and hosts occasional exhibitions that explore Native American life, colonial contact, and the impact of land treaties. If you’re looking to dig deeper into the historical side of Rhode Island’s Indigenous experience, this is the place for research and records.
Rhode Island’s Native American heritage is rich, resilient, and deeply woven into the state’s identity. From living traditions like powwows to quiet sacred lands and powerful museums, these eight places offer an honest and meaningful way to learn more. Whether you’re exploring tribal stories, ancient customs, or colonial interactions, each site gives you a piece of a larger, ongoing story that still shapes Rhode Island today.
SOURCES
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomaquag_Indian_Memorial_Museum
[2] https://www.imls.gov/issues/national-initiatives/national-medal-museum-and-library-service/2016-medals/tomaquag-museum
[3] https://hopkintonhistorical.org/tomaquag-a-place-of-indigenous-history-past-present-and-future/
[4] https://www.tomaquagmuseum.org
[5] https://www.tomaquagmuseum.org/history
