Mishpakha: Jewish History of Woonsocket Opens at the Museum of Work & Culture
Opening of New Exhibit Highlighting Jewish History of Woonsocket
May 16, 2023–August 26, 2023
The Museum of Work & Culture (42 S. Main St., Woonsocket)
Mishpakha: Jewish History of Woonsocket Opens at the Museum of Work & Culture
New Exhibition Explores Woonsocket’s Jewish History and Community
(WOONSOCKET, R.I.) – The Museum of Work & Culture, a division of the Rhode Island Historical Society, is proud to present Mishpakha: Jewish History of Woonsocket, an original exhibition celebrating local narratives of worship, entrepreneurship, and social life in Woonsocket’s Jewish community.
The exhibit opens Tuesday, May 16 and will remain in the museum’s changing gallery until Saturday, August 26.
Beginning in the 1860s with the arrival of Woonsocket’s first recorded Jewish resident, the city became a hub for Jewish immigrants in Northern Rhode Island. At its peak, Woonsocket boasted a thriving Jewish population of over 200 families–a tight-knit group that was a crucial thread in the fabric of the bustling textile city.
Mishpakha: Jewish History of Woonsocket provides visitors of all ages opportunities to learn about Jewish culture and traditions. Guests will be invited to ask questions, enjoy a diverse range of Jewish children’s books, participate in Jewish arts and crafts, and respond via words and images to thought-provoking prompts, all while discovering the rich history of this vital community.
The museum is open Tuesday-Friday, 9:30am-4pm and Saturday, 10am-4pm.
About the Rhode Island Historical Society
The Rhode Island Historical Society, the state’s oldest and only state-wide historical organization, is dedicated to honoring, interpreting, and sharing Rhode Island’s past to enrich the present and inspire the future. Founded in 1822, the RIHS is an advocate for history as a means to develop empathy and 21st-century skills, using its historical materials and knowledge to explore topics of timeless relevance and public interest. As a Smithsonian Affiliate, it is dedicated to providing high-quality, accessible public programming and educational opportunities for all Rhode Islanders through its four sites: the John Brown House Museum, the Museum of Work & Culture, the Mary Elizabeth Robinson Research Center, and the Aldrich House.