Newsletter
FALL 2026
On behalf of Rhode Islanders past, present, and future, the Center would like to settle a controversial question once and for all: what (and where) is South County? The existence and parameters of “South County” have been discussed and debated for generations. Consider how rarely the name “Washington County” appears beyond the justice system. The general phrase "southern Rhode Island" may be more commonly used than the county's official name. Our state government also embraces the "South County" nickname, sometimes applying it to a broad geographic region that includes parts of Kent County. However, despite the lack of consensus, the name "South County" has endured, revealing a multi-generational quirk that is (oddly) very Rhode Island. And most importantly, based on the historical record, we humbly suggest that South County and Washington County are, indeed, the same place. In 1729, Rhode Island’s colonial General Assembly established Kings County, which included modern day Charlestown, Exeter, Hopkinton, Narragansett, North Kingstown, Richmond, South Kingstown, and Westerly. The name was dutifully used for a few decades but began to fall out of favor as hostility to the British crown grew in the years preceding the Revolutionary War. Kings County was instead described as “the South County.” We have documented the nickname's usage back to a 1767 written testimony from Levi Whipple regarding taxes. Ten days after General Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown in 1781, the General Assembly passed an act that declared “the name of King’s County is an intolerable grievance,” and that it was officially renamed in honor of General Washington. As we now know, the name “Washington County” was never fully embraced by its residents. Perhaps Rhode Island's 18th-century nickname “Rogue’s Island” was well-deserved. Instead, the name “South County” was broadly adopted. William Babcock Weeden's 1910 book Early Rhode Island acknowledged that while officially named Washington County, “it has generally been known by the familiar term we have given it.” Artist Sidney Burleigh drew this history into a 1926 map, a portion of which is pictured right. South County's boundaries began to blur with the dawn of the modern tourism industry post-World War II. Tourism, now viewed as a driver of economic growth, inspired marketing campaigns aimed at bringing travelers to our area. "South County" became shorthand for Rhode Island's beach communities, rural landscapes, and scenic historic sites. And though unofficial, the name is uniquely ours: there are 30 states with a Washington County, but there is only one South County.
What (and Where) is South County?!
Navigating Around Research Challenges
Kingston Village Well ca. 1895
Every family historian eventually hits a brick wall: a missing ancestor, a dead-end paper trail, or a question that seems impossible to answer. The South County History Center may hold just the clue you need to move forward. From historic town records and family papers to photographs, maps, and other unique archival materials, the Center’s collection offers opportunities to discover information that may not be available elsewhere. Exploring local history can uncover overlooked details, unexpected connections, and fresh leads to follow. Solving a research mystery often means looking beyond the obvious and seeing familiar clues in a new light. We are happy to help you explore local resources and put your ancestors’ lives into their historical context. Whether you’re searching for a missing link in your family tree, trying to identify a face in an old photograph, or piecing together the story of a long-forgotten relative, your next breakthrough may be closer than you think. Don’t let a brick wall stop you—your next discovery could be waiting in the Center's archive! Research appointments can be scheduled through our website, or we can assist you virtually. New materials arrive weekly, and return visits are encouraged. Visit SouthCountyHistoryCenter.org/research to submit your inquiry today.
New Videos and Podcasts Bring Local History to Life
Looking for new ways to explore the history of South County and its connections to the wider world? New YouTube and podcast episodes offer opportunities to discover more about the past through engaging storytelling. Whether you enjoy learning about familiar places, uncovering lesser-known stories, or seeing history from a fresh perspective, these episodes are worth checking out. On YouTube channel The Story of Rhode Island, Kevin Padula explores the history of South Kingstown’s Biscuit City, including the “Lover’s Lane” that once connected the hamlet to URI’s campus. The episode also features photographs and artwork from the Center’s collection, like the painting above by Edmund Darch Lewis. For listeners interested in Rhode Island’s connections to the history of slavery, the BBC’s 99% Invisible podcast episode“100 Objects #12: ‘Negro Cloth’” offers a compelling look at the Hazard family and the Peace Dale Manufacturing Company. The episode, featuring Brown historian and author Seth Rockman, examines the connections between Northern manufacturing, Southern slavery, and the lives of enslaved people, reminding us that the history of slavery reaches far beyond the plantations themselves. If you are curious about one of South County’s most eerie stories, tune in to “A Tale of Blood and Ashes: The Exeter Vampires,” from the Cautionary Tales podcast. Set in 19th-century Exeter, this episode recounts the Brown family’s tragic struggle with tuberculosis and the community’s extraordinary response. Blending local history, folklore, and the history of medicine, this fascinating account explores how fear and limited scientific knowledge shaped people’s actions. And finally, if you are want to continue celebrating Rhode Island’s role in our nation’s founding, check out Ocean State Media’s “Rhode to Independence” initiative. Available on YouTube, there are videos exploring the First Rhode Island Regiment and an interview with Chrystal Mars Baker of the Tomaquag Museum about the experiences of Indigenous people during the conflict. Check out our Facebook page for links to these episodes that highlight South County history.
A New Collection's Long Road Home The Center's collection has grown this year with many exciting new additions. While every item’s journey to the Center is unique, each is the result of generosity, goodwill, and a love of history. In late 2025, a colleague at the Rhode Island Historical Society connected prospective donors with the Center. Descendants of the Thomas family were seeking a home for three 19th-century portraits of their North Kingstown ancestors. The prominent Wickford family is perhaps best remembered for its service to St. Paul’s Church, where patriarch Allen Mason Thomas (1806-1887) was vestryman and clerk for 52 years. Allen and his wife Charlotte are the subjects in the painting above, along with one of their eight children. This May, Ruth Thomas Young and her husband carefully transported the paintings and other family treasures to Rhode Island (an 8+ hour drive!). Ruth and her sisters Meredith Ingraham and Martha White generously donated the collection to the Center in memory of their brothers, Allen Mason Thomas IV and Nathaniel Thomas, and their father Allen Mason Thomas III. After a century, the Thomas Family Collection is back in Rhode Island for the appreciation, study, and enjoyment of generations to come.
If you haven't yet seen the Center's HERstory exhibit, we hope you will visit before it closes on December 5th. HERstory explores the roles, experiences, and impacts of women on South County. Learn about the women who fought for (and against!) women's suffrage, served at home and abroad during wartime, and overcame obstacles and expectations to create lasting change. The exhibit features incredible objects, including Ann Kenyon Morse's pilot's jacket from World War II, pictured here and loaned by the International Women's Air and Space Museum. This exhibit has been possible thanks to generous support from the Town of South Kingstown and Rhode Island Foundation. Schedule your visit online at SouthCountyHistoryCenter.org/visit, or join us for our Holiday Open House (details below).
Closing Soon! HERstory: Women of South County
Holiday Open House and Sale Saturday, December 5, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Join us on Saturday, December 5th, for the Center's annual Holiday Open House. It's a great chance to explore our exhibits, and it will be the final day to view HERstory: Women of South County. Admission, as always, is free! This Open House is taking place during Kingston Village's annual Holiday Fair. Parking will be available at the Kingston Congregational Church. For more information about the Fair, please visit www.kingstonvillagefair.org. And be sure to check out our gift shop, where we will be offering a 20% discount on ALL purchases from November 29 through December 21. Can't attend the Open House? Learn more about special holiday shopping hours, scheduling your visit, and placing online orders at SouthCountyHistoryCenter.org.
2636 Kingstown Road Kingston, RI 02881
Show Your Love for South County History For nearly 70 years, we have been honored to preserve and share local history with the support of generous community members like you. Donations to the Center help ensure that South County’s history remains a vibrant resource - one that connects the past with the future and inspires people to learn from our history. If you believe that the past can illuminate the path to a bright future, please show your support by making a donation today. The future of history is in your hands. Donations can be made online at SouthCountyHistoryCenter.org/donate, or mail your donation to South County History Center at the address above.