Historically celebrating the holidays

By MERI R. KENNEDY
Posted 12/5/18

By MERI R. KENNEDY The season's spirit was on display as crowds visited two of Cranston's most historical homes: Joy Homestead and Sprague Mansion on Dec. 2. Traditionally, these two homes are decorated for the season and open to the public for both a

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Historically celebrating the holidays

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The season’s spirit was on display as crowds visited two of Cranston’s most historical homes: Joy Homestead and Sprague Mansion on Dec. 2. Traditionally, these two homes are decorated for the season and open to the public for both a seasonal and historical perspective on Christmas.

The Civil War-era Governor Sprague Mansion at 1351 Cranston Street was decorated by members of the Western Cranston and Edgewood Garden Clubs for the holiday season. Five descendants of the Sprague Family attended. They served cookies and cakes and beverages including wassail and Sprague Punch. 

The Colonial-era Joy Homestead, located at 156 Scituate Ave., was also open to the public for holiday music, vintage decorations, including fresh hot stew cooked in the Dutch oven.

The Joy Homestead is the former 1800s home of the Joy family in Cranston and is on the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route. It is one of the oldest properties in Cranston, and many of the families significant to Rhode Island history relate to this house, including the Fenners, Westcotts, Randalls and Warners.

Both homes/museums are treasures of Rhode Island history preserved and managed by the non-profit Cranston Historical Society. Colonial-dressed hosts will greet visitors at the Joy Homestead and enjoyed colonial cheer and the warmth of the Job Joy’s fireplaced home.

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