Coming Full Circle: Neighborhood Memories and Folklore

“There was a sense of community among children that extended for probably three or four blocks in every direction. We had rituals of a sort. “ –Bill Simmons, former neighborhood resident

In the mid-twentieth century,the families of union policemen, firemen, teachers and jewelry makers lived in the Reservoir Triangle. Accounts of this era convey fond memories of childhood rituals, mischief and exploration. These stories teach us about the internal world of childhood and family life in Rhode Island before de-industrialization and urban renewal shifted the landscape of work and play. 

Today the physical appearance of the neighborhood looks similar, although times have changed. The houses are still filled with young families and new homeowners, although new residents are more likely to trace their roots to the Dominican Republic or Cambodia. New memories are being created, yet these stories have yet to be told. 

Coming Full Circle: Neighborhood Memories and Folklore