Ruth J. Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice
Slavery and Legacy Walking Tour
The Slavery & Legacy Walking Tours examine the history behind Brown University, the State of Rhode Island and their roles in the transatlantic slave trade and settler colonialism. The tours help students (junior high, high school, and college) as well as adult groups think critically about the University and state histories.
The Slavery & Legacy Walking Tours examine the history behind Brown University, the State of Rhode Island and their roles in the transatlantic slave trade and settler colonialism. The tours help students (junior high, high school, and college) as well as adult groups think critically about the University and state histories.
The Slavery & Legacy Walking Tours examine the history behind Brown University, the State of Rhode Island and their roles in the transatlantic slave trade and settler colonialism. The tours help students (junior high, high school, and college) as well as adult groups think critically about the University and state histories.
In the eighteenth century, racial slavery permeated every aspect of social and economic life in Rhode Island. The Ruth J. Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice’s Slavery and Legacy Walking Tour invites guests to learn about the history and legacy of slavery as it pertains to Brown University and the state of Rhode Island. Major stops on this hour-long walking tour include the Ruth J. Simmons Quadrangle, Van Wickle Gates, University Hall (Nathanael Green Plaque), and the Slavery Memorial (Manning Hall).
Community Tours
Community Tours are intended for individuals, not groups, who are interested in taking the Slavery & Legacy Walking Tour. We offer one Community Tour per month September–November and March–May, on the 2nd Thursday at 10 a.m.
The Simmons Center is happy to offer private group Slavery & Legacy Walking Tours to junior high, high school, campus and community groups. We ask that all private group tour requests are made at least two weeks in advance in order for our team to properly manage the logistics.
All tours begin across the street from the Ruth J. Simmons Center (94 Waterman Street) in the red area marked in the image below. There will also be a walkway sign in that area to indicate where your tour guide will meet you.
Meet your tour guide across the street from 94 Waterman Street in the red area indicated on the map.
Parking Information
College Hill visitors may find parking in Lot 68 Upper, also called the Power Street Parking Garage, located at 111 Power Street. The entrance to the garage is located at the intersection of Power and Thayer Streets. The Lot 68 Upper garage contains two pay stations, which are located at the front and rear of the garage. Please locate an empty parking space, purchase your visitor parking permit via one of the pay stations and place your receipt permit on your vehicle dashboard.
Mon - Fri, 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. $3.00/hour
All Day Rate until 6:00 p.m. (Monday - Friday) $15.00
If Brown University visitor parking is unavailable, visitors may find metered parking on the streets in and around campus. Parking meters in Providence do not accept cash or credit cards, payment is made using the Passport parking application. The Passport Parking App allows you to conveniently pay for parking from anywhere using your mobile device.
