A Walk Through the Past

Standing robustly before Mill Cove in North Kingstown, Smith’s Castle is a historic gem. The product of recent restoration and preservation efforts, the castle maintains both an 18th Century Garden and a Dye Garden. In 1948, a group of locals concerned about the deterioration of the castle and in turn its historical significance formed the Cocumscussoc Association. The association then purchased the property in order to preserve and assure its use for public education. The mission of Smith’s Castle is to educate on the history of Rhode Island’s development through three eras of history: Native American, early colonial days and plantation era.

This mission is made tangible in the castle’s 18th Century Garden, planted in 1953. Although the garden is not a restoration of the property’s original garden, it is a representation of a typical garden from that era. Landscape architect Irmgard Graham, as well as the South County Garden Club performed meticulous research on 18th century gardens, ultimately designing and planting a garden analogous to that of a wealthy 18th century family. Volunteer gardeners maintain the plot.

The Dye Garden is yet another piece of the past restored for contemporary enjoyment and education. The garden grows 12 examples of common New England plants, which yield dyes in a variety of colors. A numbered guide leads visitors through the patch, and those who drop in to the North Chamber can view the color wheel of dye samples. Tansy, sunflower, marigold, yarrow, onions, hibiscus and rudbeckia are some of the dozen plants destined to have their colors harvested.

Ann Casey is the Project Leader for Smith’s Castle. “We get great satisfaction in bringing this garden back to its former beauty,” says Casey. “It had been badly neglected before we began to restore it in 2010. The tranquility and peacefulness of the site, and the sense of 400 years of RI history associated with it makes the task of working in the garden a very special one.”

The property will hold its Fourth Annual Smith’s Castle Open Golf Tournament on September 15. 55 Richard Smith Drive, North Kingstown. 294-3521.