点评:Smith's Castle is truly a Rhode Island treasure. Originally built in 1637, and then rebuilt in 1678, after being burned in King Philip's War, this historic plantation house and former colonial trading post is packed with almost 400 years of history.
My tour guide/docent, Martha, was amazing. She is incredibly knowledgeable, interesting, and easy to talk to. She never tired of my questions and was a font of information. I learned so much while on her tour, which covered the history of the site and the Castle and included information about the Narragansett indigenous people, Roger Williams, Richard Smith, the Great Swamp Fight/Massacre and Smith's Castle's role in that critical battle which occurred on December 19, 1675, during King Philip's War), the different families that owned and lived at Smith's Castle, the role that slavery played in the plantation's operation, and the architecture of the Castle.
The museum has very detailed and enlightening exhibits, that showcase indigenous heritage, colonial life in the 17th and 18th centuries, the plantation era, and the enslaved people of early New England.
It also holds several historic talks, teas, tastings, and special events, like "Christmas at the Castle", an annual, family-friendly holiday tradition celebrating colonial-era festivities.
I highly recommended a visit to Smith's Castle and regret that I had not visited sooner.
翻译:史密斯城堡堪称罗德岛的瑰宝。这座历史悠久的种植园宅邸和昔日的殖民地贸易站始建于1637年,后于1678年在菲利普国王战争中被焚毁后重建,承载着近400年的历史。
我的导游兼讲解员玛莎非常棒。她知识渊博、风趣幽默,而且平易近人。她耐心解答我的所有问题,简直就是一本活的百科全书。在她的讲解中,我受益匪浅。她详细介绍了城堡和遗址的历史,包括纳拉甘西特原住民、罗杰·威廉姆斯、理查德·史密斯、大沼泽之战/大屠杀以及史密斯城堡在1675年12月19日菲利普国王战争期间这场关键战役中所扮演的角色,还介绍了曾拥有和居住于此的各个家族、奴隶制在种植园运营中的作用以及城堡的建筑风格。
博物馆的展品非常详尽且引人入胜,展现了原住民文化遗产、17至18世纪的殖民生活、种植园时代以及早期新英格兰奴隶的境况。
博物馆还会举办各种历史讲座、下午茶、品鉴会和特别活动,例如一年一度的“城堡圣诞节”,这是一个适合全家参与的节日传统,旨在庆祝殖民时代的盛况。
我强烈推荐大家参观史密斯城堡,真后悔自己没有早点去。