Current Press

By Derek Vital
Herald News Staff Reporter
Posted May 19, 2010

TIVERTON — Driving along the half-mile stretch of Main Road classified as Four Corners, almost feels like stepping back in time. The historic village is celebrating its 300th anniversary this year. What started out as largely farmland in the early 1700s has evolved into a quaint New England village with antique stores, art galleries and small shops selling pottery, jewelry and knitting supplies.

In conducting research geared toward setting up self-guided walking tours of the area, Jessica Souza, assistant director of the Four Corners Arts Center, uncovered several interesting tidbits pertaining to the rich history of the village.

In 1710, the Four Corners area was measured and bounded by an 80-acre mill lot, including the mill owned by Joseph Taber. The mill and village were called “Nomscot” for the pond which is now called “Nonquit.” This was when the nucleus of the village was formed.

The John Almy House was built in 1797 in what is now the parking lot of Gray’s Ice Cream on the corner of Main Road and East Road. On the corner of this property there was an upright stone post known as the Whipping Post which was erected in 1719. Public floggings were permitted by Rhode Island law until 1812. The Whipping Post was used until an angry group of women knocked it over in protest. The post disappeared when the Almy House was destroyed in the 1950s and its whereabouts is unknown.

The Chase-Cory House, located at 3908 Main Road, was built in 1730 by either Benjamin Chase or his son Abner. Benjamin Chase was married to Amy Borden, a relative of the infamous Lizzie Borden. In 1816 it was purchased by Andrew Cory, a member of one of Tiverton’s several whaling families. Cory was married to Jane Gray, granddaughter of Col. Pardon Gray, who was influential in the early days of Tiverton’s development. The building is currently owned by the Tiverton Historical Society.

Built in 1868, the Union Public Library is the second oldest in Newport County. It once served as a temperance hall during the Prohibition Era of the early 1900s.

In honor of the 300th anniversary, Souza and Four Corners Arts Center Director Jennifer Sunderland are hoping to set up a program with the three elementary schools in town to teach students about their town’s rich history. Town Planner Christopher Spencer said a sign alerting drivers to the Four Corners district has been approved and should be erected shortly. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation will place a sign on the southbound side of Route 24 between the Fish Road and Main Road exits. An additional sign will be placed at the top of the offramp to point people in the right direction.

Sunderland said she has applied for a grant with the Rhode Island Foundation to produce self-guided walking tours. Sunderland and Souza are seeking input from locals willing to participate in 300th anniversary festivities. “There are so many historic places in Rhode Island,” said Sunderland. “People need to know about this little piece of history down here.”

Marilyn Dennis has owned Gray’s Ice Cream since 1981 and lives within a mile of the establishment. She said the charm of the region, which was declared a National Historic District in 1974, is the old-fashioned, rural backdrop. “There’s still a little bit of the past here that you don’t find anywhere else,” said Dennis.

2010
Tiverton Four Corners Spotlight 300th Anniversary - Providence Journal - April 2010
Tiverton Four Corners 300th Anniversary
Preservation is Local: That’s the theme of the annual statewide conference - Providence Journal - April 2010

2009
Cornering History in Tiverton - By Linda Murphy, Special to The Herald News
Neighborhood of the Week: Tiverton Four Corners Herald News
Neighborhood of the Week: Tiverton Four Corners Herald News
Out of Town Best Bets - Southcoast Today
Space shots: Teapots from two - The Herald News
Preserving New England’s stone walls: the idea is building - Providence Journal

2008
Antique Chinese pavilion finds a new home in historic Tiverton Four Corners
What's shaking - Boston.com


2007
"Newtle Known and Liking It" - By Caitlin O'Neil, New York Times
The Perfect Day Trip: Take a trip 300 years back in time to Rhode Island's most unique and stylish little village.
Boston Globe Travel Features Tiverton!
Art in Sand and Studios
The Cheese Course - Rhode Island Monthly
Neighborhood of the Week: At the intersection of Scenic and Charm - Providence Journal
Virginia Lynch was a champion of contemporary art - Providence Journal
Marine images on exhibit at MAC- Southcoast Today
 
2006
Dec 1 & 2 - 2006 Tiverton 4 Corners Holiday Celebration!
"All things wood, stone, glass and wire at Gallery 4" - Gallery 4 in the Providence Journal
(Look for a photo of Provender Fine Foods in the 2006 Newport Travel Guide!)
Tiverton 4 Corners Antiques Show Is A Rhode Island Summer Tradition
An oddly pleasant bus ride - Providence Journal

2005
Tiverton Four Corners and Little Compton both appeared in Yankee Magazine and Chronicle, the Providence Journal, and East Bay Newspapers.
November/December 2005 Tiverton 4 Corners Holiday Celebrations!
October 2005 - Two Free Guided Walks Through Historic Tiverton and Little Compton
Yankee Magazine's October 2005 Issue - "A weekend in...Sakonnet Point, Rhode Island," by Katrina Yeager. (page 110)
Historic Tiverton 4 Corners Merchants Win 2005 Awards September 2005 - Tiverton 4 Corners' First Annual
Labor Day Festivities April 2005 - Two New Stores Open at Historic Tiverton 4 Corners!