For centuries, Roger Williams has been revered as the founding hero of Providence, his legacy immortalized in books, statues, and signs. But what about the woman by his side? Join the John Brown House Museum on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 5:30 pm as they welcome Dr. Charlotte Carrington-Farmer for “Mary Williams and 17th-Century Rhode Island,” a fresh exploration that shifts the spotlight onto Mary Williams, Roger’s wife, as part of Women's History Month.
Mary Williams was a commanding presence, assuming the mantle of leadership during Roger’s frequent absences and navigating the nuances of colonial life. As head of the Williams household, she emerged as a vital player in the governance of Providence, where her influence extended far beyond her family. This lecture complements the latest exhibit at the John Brown House Museum, which features the life story of Mary Williams through interpretative panels and 17th-century objects from the RIHS collection, and is based upon Dr. Carrington-Farmer’s research. Telling Mary Williams’ story through the exhibit and lecture represents a pivotal step in the larger movement to reveal the voices of women whose participation has gone unacknowledged in the historical record.
Charlotte Carrington-Farmer received her Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge and she is a Professor of History at Roger Williams University. Her book, Roger Williams and His World was published with Broadview Press in 2025. Her research centers on dissent in 17-century New England, and she has published book chapters on Thomas Morton and Roger Williams, and an article on Mary Williams. In the field of equine history, she has published a journal article, two book chapters, and a state of the field essay on equines in colonial New England and the early modern Atlantic world. Her second book, Equine Empire: Horses and the Making of the Atlantic World, is under contract with the University Press of Kentucky and will be published next year. She is active in the field of public history and has received funding and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Yale University, the Mellon Foundation, and the New England Regional Fellowship Consortium.
General admission to “Mary Williams and 17th-Century Rhode Island” costs $10 per person, and $5 for RIHS members. Doors open at 4:30 pm for a reception where attendees can view the exhibit Mary Williams and 17th-Century Rhode Island before hearing the lecture. Dr. Carrington-Farmer’s book, Roger Williams and His World, will be available for purchase. Advance registration is recommended as space is limited.
The Rhode Island Historical Society, the state's oldest and only statewide historical organization, is dedicated to honoring, interpreting and sharing Rhode Island's past to enrich the present and inspire the future. Founded in 1822, the RIHS is an advocate for history as a means to develop empathy and 21st -century skills, using its historical materials and knowledge to explore topics of timeless relevance and public interest. As a Smithsonian Affiliate, it is dedicated to providing high-quality, accessible public programming and educational opportunities for all Rhode Islanders through its four sites: the John Brown House Museum, the Museum of Work & Culture, the Mary Elizabeth Robinson Research Center and the Aldrich House.
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