Monkey Island Providence, RI 02905

Monkey Island is a historic institution located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States within the iconic Roger Williams Park. The park itself has a rich history dating back nearly 250 years, with many lost entities that have either ceased to exist or have been transformed over time.

One of the lost entities of the park includes rustic structures that provided shaded picnic areas and shelter from the rain. The foundation of one of the cottages can still be seen across from the Museum of Natural History. Another lost entity was the floral American Flag, which used hills and valleys to achieve a unique “waving effect” before being replaced by the Dalrymple Boathouse in 1896.

The original merry-go-round at the park featured carved wooden horses with real horse hair tails and a calliope using flat cards instead of piano rolls. The current carousel is the park’s third iteration. The Cafe, owned by the Union Railroad Company, was replaced by the Casino in 1896.

The park also used to have a race track located where part of the Roger Williams Park Zoo now stands. The track was used year-round, with horses pulling sleighs and kicking snowballs in wintertime. Zoo exhibits were once part of the park as well, with monkeys housed on an island within the park and sea lions residing in the Seal House.

Monkey Island holds a special place in the memories of generations of Rhode Island children, who visited the monkeys and seals during the holidays. With its rich history and lost entities, Monkey Island is a must-visit institution for those looking to explore the past of Roger Williams Park.