South Kingstown
Neighbors and friends of South Kingstown, Rhode Island, share the local legends, history, and memoirs of the local community. Stories include the South Kingstown Library, the 300th Anniversary Celebration, Wakefield Village, Kinney Azalea Gardens, the South Kingstown Land Trust, and more.
“Wild South Kingstown”
Elise Torello has always been interested in wildlife; she even studied it at the University of Rhode Island. About eight years ago, she set up trail cameras on her property. Now, she gives us a look at the wildlife she has captured on camera, big and small.
“Friends of the Garden”
Kinney Azalea Gardens is bustling each May, with peak bloom flowers and visitors from across the region. The family has created a nonprofit with the goal of keeping the gardens open to the public year-round for generations to come.
“Preserved Land”
The South Kingstown Land Trust has been working for 30 years to preserve more than 3,000 acres of beautiful beaches, wildlife habitats, farmland and bodies of water.
“Art Community”
South Kingstown is home to a variety of artists, from painters and photographers to sculptors; the South County Art Association offers something for all of them. The association, among the oldest nonprofits in Rhode Island, has more than 450 members across the region.
“Hera Gallery”
Founded in 1974, the Hera Gallery is one of the first women-owned artist co-ops in the country, and the first outside of a metropolitan area. Generations of underrepresented artists have found a home in the gallery to show their work and inspire social change.
“Whodunit? A Murder Mystery”
A South Kingstown-based author has set her murder mystery books in and around the town — some of her characters are real people in South Kingstown!
“Wakefield Village”
South Kingstown is made up of charming villages, including Kingston, Peace Dale, and Wakefield. In this segment, Wakefield residents share all the wonders their charming village has to offer, including an iconic ice cream shop, a local theater and a wide variety of beloved local stores.
“New Business, Old Vibes”
Old-fashioned soda counters are a rare sight in pharmacies these days. But coupled with their nostalgic decor, customers of Green Line Apothecary can step back in time and enjoy much more than the average modern pharmacy.
“Belmont Market”
The family behind Belmont Market details the history that started with a seasonal fruit stand and grew into a South Kingstown staple. The segment features a funny story about how the market got its name, along with heartwarming stories of love and marriage that all started at the market.
“Local Flavor”
The first registered vineyard in South Kingstown takes pride in being a venue where strangers can become friends. The founder of Winterhawk Vineyards shares how he built the vineyard and tasting room, brick by brick.
“Legacy Land”
Members of the Holley Family talk about their family home, which was some of the first developed land in South Kingstown.
“Snug at Home”
For one family, a doctor’s orders to spend time by the sea turned into generations of summers spent at Snug Harbor, a tradition they hope to continue for years to come.
“Sandy’s Shores”
A South Kingstown council member recalls the devastation to South Kingstown’s shores during Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
“The Library Past and Present”
The South Kingstown Library boasts a rich history along with modern offerings across its three buildings, each more than a century old. Among them is a sculpture by the same artists who created the Lincoln Memorial.
“Military Town”
Military reverence runs deep in South Kingstown. In 2023, South Kingstown received the rare honor of becoming a Medal of Honor town. This segment explores how South Kingstown honors those who served through numerous monuments around town.
“300th Celebration”
Not many towns in the United States have celebrated their 300th birthday, but that’s exactly what South Kingstown did in 2023. A celebratory spirit burned bright all year long, with a bonfire, parade, town cleanup, murals and more.
