An Introduction to The Roger Williams Educational Foundation
Welcome to The Roger Williams Educational Foundation March 31, 2020
Compiled by Marc W. Kohler
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 16095. Rumford, R.I. 02916 401-286-2221 Email: marcwkohler@aol.com Web Site: marcwkohler.com Roger Williams Educational Foundation Web Site: rwefoundation.org
Introduction
Roger Williams is credited with the founding of Rhode Island, the founding of the Baptist Church in America, with the idea that he bought the land for Rhode Island from Sachems Canonicus and his nephew, Miantonomo and finally, with other ideas. In general, Rhode Islanders are aware of his name through its use for a hospital, a university, a park, streets, businesses, and landmarks. Beyond that, though, the vast majority of Rhode Islanders know nothing more about Roger. The problem with these statements which Roger has been credited are very limited, sometimes too simple, or not truly accurate. The facts, if they were known, would enhance the lives of Rode Islanders and Americans. Why? Roger was the great statesman—possessed of high intelligence, endless physical strength, excellent people and communication skills, a linguist’s knowledge of languages, and a brilliant sense of fair play. He survived in Salem, Plymouth and Rhode Island by running trading posts which demostrated his excellence at human relations. The real question for us, is what can we do to change this lack of accurate knowledge about his life and works. How can we all experience his brilliance and his contributions to our life in America today!
That is why a group of Rhode Islanders have decided to create a movement to revive Roger Williams and his contributions to life in our lives. Founded by myself, there are several RW buffs working on this project: Dawn Williams, Tyler Grimes, Dr. David Weed, and others. We have a Gofundme campaign to raise the money to incorporate and to begin our educational activities. https://www.gofundme.com/roger-williams-study-group. We have also organized a Meetup Group with thirty-eight members. We have Zoom meetings the second Thursday of every month. Our Spring meetings will start on You can register here: https://www.meetup.com/Roger-Williams-Philosophy-Politics-and-Religion-Meetup/events/gkzwtrybclbrb/ or Here
Background:
In 2017, I created a storytelling presentation for children and families about the Gaspee Affair. I had done two puppet shows about the Affair over the years. The more I studied the history of the Gaspee Affair, the more impressed I became of Rhode Islanders sense of freedom and independence. The great deal of the essays in the Gaspee Days Committee’s Archives helped me to realize how important Roger Williams had been. So, in the middle of the presentation, the spirit of Roger Williams arrives. I tell the audience about his childhood as a stenographer for Sir Edward Coke, his time in the best schools in England, his accomplishments in college, and his ultimate life long commitment to building a free society in what we call Rhode Island. Over the over again, adults watching the show asked for more details after I finished—they knew nothing about these details of Roger’s life and the talents that he had. That led me to ask Ranger John McNiff what I should read. He recommended Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul and the Birth of Liberty by Dr. John Barry. To say the least, my life was changed. Ever since then, I have spent day and night researching Roger. I have been exchanging emails with Dr. Barry, and he has been incredibly helpful in answering question that I have.
I can say without a doubt that when Roger’s work in the creating the first secular democratic society in the modern world is better understood, then his place in history will rise, and his work will become a source of pride for all Rhode Islanders.
Goal, Objections, and Milestones
Peter Drucker and his book, Management, affected me deeply years and years ago. With his ideas and guidance, I established a non-profit puppet theater that remained in business for over twenty years, and at the core of our success was the ability that we had to state clearly our goals, our objectives, and the milestones of our programs. Drucker describes the challenge of a non-profit organization best: “…The “non-profit” institution neither supplies goods or services not controls. Its “product” is neither a pair of shoes nor an effective regulation. Its product is a changed human being. The non-profit institutions are human-change agents. Their “product” is a cured patient, a child that learns, a young man or woman grown into a self-respecting adult; a changed human life altogether…” ― Peter F. Drucker, Managing the Non-Profit Organization: Principles and Practices.
So, the goal of The Roger Williams Educational Foundation to create a movement to a change our people, in Rhode Island and in America….changed to understand, appreciate and take pride in the life and work of Roger Williams. We would like for Roger Williams to take his proper place as a true “founder” of American political structures, American values, and American ideals. This is our core purpose. When we apply for our non-profit corporation, these will be are our goals, and I have attempted to define the milestones and objectives for our efforts to track their success with measurable outcomes.
The objectives for the group would be enthusiastic established activities to increase our understanding of Roger Williams throughout Rhode Island and the nation. Here are a few of the objectives that we are looking at:
Membership:
The group will be a membership group with modest membership dues. This is so the activities can be carried out by volunteers rather than a dependent on a professional paid staff. As activities grow and evolve, we may move to professional positions, but this will have to be an organic process, and we do hope to have a professional staff in the future.
Milestones: We would like to have at least fifty visits a year, and a membership of two hundred members by the end of our second year. We will respond to any questions that we get back, and make sure that we have a LinkedIN page, Facebook Page, or other net presence where Roger Williams’ issues can be discussed.
Roger Williams Guides:
This will be a group of members who will visit at no charge PTOs, businesses, School faculties, and other adult organizations to do presentations about Roger Williams. There will be weekly or monthly training meetings for the guides as we increase the knowledge that they have to assure the success of their efforts. We will create a Guide’s Handbook which will include RW’s bio, a fairly substantial selection of quotations, so the Guides can read them aloud at the meetings. There would also be a handout that the participants would take home with follow up activities. These activities would include but not be limited to simple forms that the participants can use to express questions about the presentation and Roger Williams, a form for joining the Foundation, perhaps “Coloring Pages” for children, pictures of Roger and events in his life, and any other piece that will make the Handout a way distribute our news.
Roger Williams Day:
The City of Newport recently approved th creation of John Clarke Day, for it was there where Clarke started the first Baptist Church, and his work with Roger to secure our Charter in 1663 was brilliant. So, we need an all state Roger Williams Day.
Milestones: Have a date set by the middle of 2021. This year, we arranged a celebration on March 22, 2020. The national fraternity Zeta Beta Tau selected this day as their holiday would be celebrated to recognize the word of Roger Williams fighting for the rights of Jews to come to America. We had to cancel our event becasue of the COVI-19 situation. We would really like to see a parade, a conference on the life, times and ideas of Roger Williams with experts presenting papers, panel discussion, and a “Reading Roger” event where his words are read in many groups or one large group. We will commission a fine art production of a collectible poster. Publication of pamphlets amd reports produced by the RWEF for distribution to attendees. Productions of plays or presentations about Roger Williams such as James Schevill’s The Bloody Tenet. You can hear it here https://diva.sfsu.edu/collections/poetrycenter/bundles/191229 or read it here https://archive.org/stream/religiousdrama1007899mbp/religiousdrama1007899mbp_djvu.txt or here.
Creation of the Roger Williams Trail
Rhode Islanders and tourists would love to actually see the places that remain from the life and times of Roger Williams. These locations have never been built up is a way that a visitor and residents could take a “ride” into history. What would be on the Trail? (Note: Please excuse any details that are not accurate, for I am truly a newby to RW)
Sowams Area (Warren): The first place that Roger visited either alone or with a small group. He met with Massasoit who has a monument in the area. Dr. David Weed is building a “Sowams Historic Area” which has over 39 videos, articles, links, and lots more. You can find it here:https://sowamsheritagearea.org/wp/
Rehoboth: Margaret’s Rock. This is presently on private land, but Roger recovered in a cave in this rock while being cared for by a tribal member, now called “Margaret.” People forget that these tribal people had their own names, names of the role in thier tribes, and a name given to them by the colonialists.
East Providence: Roger Williams location for his camp in what was called Seekonk, and from which he and a group rowed towards Rhode Island.
Slate Rock: This rock was considered the location of Roger’s landing in what would become Rhode Island. It was mistakenly destroyed, but the location can still be visited.
Prospect Terrace: This is considered the first location from which Roger could see the vast expanse of Rhode Island. It is also the burial site for both Roger and Mary Williams. It is a shock to me how few of our residents know that!
Neutaconkanut Hill: In Providence near the Johnston line. This hill was used as a meeting place for Roger and the Narragansetts. It is now a public park maintained by the Providence Parks and Recreation Department.
Roger Williams’ Home: This is right across the street from the wall in front of the wall in front of the Roger Williams memorial at Prospect Terrace.
Samuel Gorton’s home in Pawtuxet: I am not sure where this is, or if it has been designated. It is important due to the capture of his and his group by the Massachusetts authorities and thier imprisonment in Massachsetts. There may be other sites where his imprint might be of importance. There is Gorton School!
Newport/Portsmouth Locations: The Portsmouth Compact was signed in 1638. There is a history to be found throughout Aquidneck Island for the activities in the struggles of William Coddington, Anne Hutchinson, John Clarke, Philip Sherman, William Dyer, John Coggeshall, Nicholas Easton, and William Brenton. Mr and Mrs. Dyer and John Clarke go to England with Roger in 1652.
National Parks System Roger Williams Memorial This excellent landmark has the place where the sping was for the very first group living in Providence. Ranger John McNiff and other rangers give talks and discussions about the life and times of Roger Williams. They also sponsor an open air production of Shakespeare’s plays during June.
Roger Williams Trading Posts: There are four possible locations: One in the Plymouth Colony Salem, Providence, and North Kingstown. I do not know their exact, but I am sure we can find them.
Landmarks from King Philip’s War: There are locations throughout our area with as well as the two fort locations of the Pequot. There may be other tribal locations which would be on the trail.
Other Historical Locations: Where was the Portsmouth Compact signed? Where was the Acts and Orders of 1647 signed in Portsmouth again? Where are the places that Roger met when he was Colony President, Deputy, Commissioner, or a member of Town Council of Providence in 1675-76. There are surely more places here in Rhode Island that can speak to the life and experiences of Roger Williams.
Milestones: In this area there would be two kinds of milestones. The first would be the number of photogenic markers for each location that will encourage tourists to follow the trail. I would hope that we could have five markers up by the end of 2021. The second clear measure would be the counting of the number of visitors who visit the trail. Hopefully, some kind of interactive booth or presentation would record uses of the piece. If the Trail is successful, then we might consider trails for other purposes or make with the best historical sites in Rhode Island.
Roger Williams Writings Access Few Rhode Islanders even know that he wrote thousands of pages. My guess, too, is that all of his works are on the net in several different forms. There are photo copies of the original published volumes, a series of books in long columns which have been edited into a better style, and lots of books. In the end, it is expensive if anyone wants to buy his works. The photo copies are almost impossible to read, but the “columned” books can be copied and pasted into a Pages or Word Document. So, we have to create a site where these incredible works are accessible. The project would take Roger’s works, and transpose them into the most readily available form possible. We would recruit scholars and Williams’ experts to lend their opinions, response to questions, and in as many ways possible provide what I call the “new vision” of Roger Williams.
Milestones These steps would be measurable aspects: the number of works available, the quality of their presentations, the access to them (which can be measured), the responses that readers make about them, and the evolution of a group of people well taught about the works of Roger Williams.
Roger Williams Park
This beautiful park has deep roots to the life of Roger Williams. There is the Betsy Williams’ home right behind his statue near the Casino. Their might be as many as twenty “Williams” buried there. Perhaps these graves could provide an archeological research site. In fact, up until 1939, Mary Williams’ grave was near the fence on the Elmwood Avenue side of the Park. Mary and Roger were reinterred to the Roger Williams Memorial at Prospect Terrace. So, the park has Roger’s identity al over it. It would be great to create a location in the park which can act as a full time museum/information booth providing classes, talks, demonstrations, and other activities to involve families, schools, and tourists. Over the long term, it would be great to build a reproduction of the home that Roger and Mary lived in during their first years in Providence. It would be a miniature Plymouth Plantations. It would have thousands of visitors, and would have to grow very slowly. We would avoid entrance fees, for we do not want to prevent any family from learning about this great man. Labor to lead the house activities could come from interns and students. There would be an emphasis on activities which will occur outdoors rather make the house the sole place to see.
Milestones This is an expensive and expensive goal, and while there would be obvious and measurable milestones throughout his life of meeting the goal, we would have to start small—maybe just a booth and some educational activities starting in the summer of 2020. From there, we would have to build a miracle!
School Activities
Thirty years ago the RI Committee on the Humanities funded an extensive program of having pairs of actors visit school with presentations of historic characters. There was one where Anne Hutchinson and Roger Williams talked while he was on his way to England in 1643. There was also one on the Gaspee Affair where one of the characters was Lieutenant Duddingston. I have written several historical puppet plays, and creating these with actors would be a worthwhile project. There is a description of the storytelling presentation which started this journey at: http://www.marcwkohler.com/a-burning-of-the-gaspee-storytelling-presentation/
Milestones For this activity we would have printed materials including Teacher Aids with pre- and post-presentation activities. There would be pre-presentation posters, and written scripts. Hopefully we would have a Coloring Pages for younger students to take home with information for the parents—even in several languages. Judging the success of the program would be the number of presentations, the numbers of students in the audiences, both teacher and student written responses, and parent responses.
Some Notes on Budget
At the present time, we have our Meetup meetings at my studio in Pawtucket, and I am covering any expenses. We have a Gofundme project is to provide the funds to create a non-profit corporation which will develop programs and writings about Roger Williams. Here is the Link: https://www.gofundme.com/roger-williams-study-group. The Gofundme campaign has brought in $ 2,300.00.
Initial Statement of the Goals for The Roger Williams Educational Foundation
Written January 2019 and posted on the Gofundme campaign page.:
“….People in Rhode Island and in America generally do not know about or appreciate the life and works of Roger Williams. Williams was a unique and brilliant theologian, constitution creator, and political theorist who established many of the very foundations of our life today. He was also an enthusiastic and successful trading post owner, one of only two colonists who learned the Narragansett language, and a great writer. His ideas inspired John Locke which led to the declarations of separation of church and state by America’s Founders…”
. We hope that Rhode Islanders understand his work and the profound impact that he had on our lives in Rhode Island and America. We have a Meetup Group that meets once a month to discuss and explore the work of Roger Williams.monthly meetings to discuss Williams’ work, create a cable television show, create events such as a Roger Williams Day, support publishing efforts, and establish a central digital and physical center for Williams’ studies. The funds raised here will go to the fees for registering and establishing a 501(C)3 corporation, purchase office equipment, and serve as a base for our first promotional efforts. We will recruit members, do fundraising, and create programs to visit schools , libraries, and other educational institutions. Our goal is to change and improve the appreciation of Roger Williams.
Here are documents essays, newspaper articles, and Letters to the Editors: All links go to marcwkohler.com
DOCUMENTS and other writings: Patent for Providence Plantations – March 14, 1643 http://www.marcwkohler.com/?page_id=1372
1644 RHODE ISLAND CHARTER http://www.marcwkohler.com/?page_id=1797
Cromwell’s Commonwealth Instrument of Government, 1653 Articles 35,36,37,38 http://www.marcwkohler.com/?page_id=1530
Protestantism and its Political Implications for State-Building in the British Colonies of North America: From the Mayflower Compact to the Federal Constitution of the United States by Massimo Rubboli http://www.marcwkohler.com/?page_id=1539
Poems by Roger Williams from from A Key into the Language of America or An help to the Language of the Natives in that part of America called New England http://www.marcwkohler.com/?page_id=1415
Roger Williams name in the Pembroke College, Cambridge in 1623 http://www.marcwkohler.com/?page_id=1153
BULLETED BIOGRAPHY OF ROGER WILLIAMS: 1603-1682 http://www.marcwkohler.com/?page_id=1281
This is work in progress., and I hope that some day it might be posted in high school classrooms around the state. Author John Barry has approved the use of details, quotes, and events from Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul: Church, State, and the Birth of Liberty. If anyone reading this has suggestions, I would love to hear them. You can contact me at marcwkohler@aol.com or 401-441-2129. Here is a shorter version of the Biography written for a Poster: http://www.marcwkohler.com/?page_id=1317
Essays by Marc Kohler
An Introduction to The Roger Williams Educational Foundation http://www.marcwkohler.com/?page_id=1332
Cranston Herald article about Marc’s talk at the Cranston for “Roving Roger” showing http://www.marcwkohler.com/?page_id=1572
Pawtucket TIMES Op-Ed Gaspee and Roger Williams Crucial Lessons for Kids http://www.marcwkohler.com/?page_id=1082
A Letter to the Editor about Roger Williams, Providence Journal http://www.marcwkohler.com/projo-schools-should-teach-about-roger-willliams/
Roger Williams Day: Ideas & Suggestions http://www.marcwkohler.com/?page_id=1320
Reflections Essay written for RI Foundation Carter Roger Williams Initiative http://www.marcwkohler.com/reflections-essay-written-for-ri-foundation-carter-roger-williams-initiative/
Roger Williams-Oliver Cromwell essay: Roger Williams Reconsidered http://www.marcwkohler.com/roger-williams-draft-essay/
Letter to the Editor, The Warwick Beacon, A different perspective of Roger Williams http://warwickonline.com/stories/a-different-perspective-of-roger-wA
Essays and Letters to the Editor about Roger Williamshttp://www.marcwkohler.com/?page_id=150
Blog: Roger Williams: American Hero: https://rogerwilliamsamericanhero.blogspot.com/
ProJo: Schools should teach about Roger Willliamshttp://www.marcwkohler.com/?page_id=1064
John Barry Resources Lecture at John Carter Brown Library https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O6c48wHCzs&t=13s 1:26:34
Reason.TV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evuoj2b1reg 9:13
BookTV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQqyyKhWDjM 10:05
