The East Providence Area Chamber of Commerce organized the12th Annual Watchemoket Square Week in East Providence, Rhode Island on November 19, 2022 to provide an update on the progress of actual and planned improvements at the location named for the ancient Pokanoket site “where the water meets the land”. Click here for a 63-minute YouTube video of the on-line event.

The presentation featured moderator Laura McNamara, Executive Director of the East Providence Area Chamber; David Bachrach, Community Development Director for the City of East Providence; and Jim Moran, Acting Director of the Economic Development and Planning Department for the City.

Jim and David summarized the work on developing a Waterfront Gateway for the City along the Watchemoket Square. (Above, center) Pokanoket Sagamore Winds of Thunder talks about the Indigenous history of the area known as Sowams in a public input session in 2020. (Above, right) East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva prepares to cut a ribbon at a new electronic wayfinding sign in Watchemoket Square as Laura McNamara watches.

Dr. David Weed (left) describes how Watchemoket is part of the Sowams Heritage Area that will interpret the Indigenous and colonial history of the area. (Above, right) Members of the Newman Congregational Church, organized in 1643 in today’s Rumford, celebrate the installation of a historic marker that describes the history of the area that was known as “the Ring of the Green.”