PROVIDENCE WALKS: THE JEWELRY DISTRICT HISTORIC TOUR

This walking tour is self-guided. 

Click here to view a virtual version of the walking tour.

How did Providence, Rhode Island become the “Jewelry Capital of the World”? The first steps by Nehemiah Dodge and Jabez Gorham in the late 18th century happened outside of the Jewelry District, but set the pace for what was to come. Jewelry made in Providence was going to be affordable, mass produced and based on innovative technologies, particularly electro-plating. After the Civil War, most of the state’s jewelry manufacturing moved into the Jewelry District south of downtown.

Written and researched by Professor Dietrich Neumann of Brown University and his students, including Will Collier, Nadim Silverman, Anjoli Carroll, Charles Taylor, Luke Camery, Isabella Olea, Catherine Nguyen, Barton Bailey, Teri Minogue, Nia Gallaway, Ryan Miller, Abigail Tisch, Hannah Van, Kate Talerio, Ciprain Buxilla, Grant Menon and Ryan Walsh.