_{The Sprague Mansion at the corner of Dyer Avenue and Cranston Street is the home and headquarters of the Cranston Historical Society.}

_{The house was built by William Sprague in 1790 and remained the family homestead for several generations. Farming was their only interest.}

_{However, in 1808 after machinery for spinning cotton was invented, the Spragues converted a small grist mill into one of the first cotton mills in New England. This was the beginning of the "Sprague empire."}

_{The A & W Sprague Company was one of these and was located on the present site of the Cranston Print Works. Its manor system in those days was duplicated in many other Sprague communities that were dependent on them for a livelihood.}

_{Through the years the Sprague enterprises sprung up everywhere and ultimately consisted of nine mills,including the Baltic Mill in Ct., The Quidnick Mill in Anthony(Coventry)RI, Augusta, Me, Cranston Mill, Cranston, RI, the Natick Mill, and Arctic Mills in West Warwick, RI.,The Flat River Mill in Coventry, RI, the Central Falls Mill, RI and another mill in Coventry, RI. The older William Sprague III is credited with giving Arctic it's name. He thought the area was cold as an Arctic wind.}

The Sprague's controlling interest in many industries, and five banks, the Cranston Savings Bank, the Globe National Bank, National Bank of Commerce, the Jackson Bank, and the Arcade Bank..

_{Along with the family fortune, the old house grew. In 1864, a second section of the house was added by Colonel Amasa Sprague, brother of Governor William Sprague known as the "war governor". The family produced two governors who were also United States Senators. The home with its beautiful gardens became a center of social life in the community and a show place in the state.}

_{With a generally weakening economy following the Civil War, and heavily dependent on credit, the great "Sprague empire" gradually crumbled, leaving only the Mansion as a symbol of its lost dynasty.}

_{The old homestead was later acquired by the owners of the Cranston Print Works and served as a home for its superintendents.}

_{Abundent with Rhode Island Corporate History, Judical History and American Civil War History, still the wrecking nearly destroyed a major part of Rhode Island history in 1966 when the city of Cranston made plans to demolish the mansion and build a 10 story housing complex. The Cranston Historical Society, with private donations, the pennies of school children, and a bank loan purchased it for $100,000. The Historical Society then restored it much of its original elegance and is now much in demand for cultural civic activities. The Cranston Historical Society still supports the upkeep of the Sprague Mansion and the Joy Homestead mainly from the contributions of the public and receives no monies from the State of Rhode Island or the City of Cranston.}

_{Furnished throughout by gifts and items on loan, the Mansion hold relics of the Sprague family and the merchant princes of their era. The grounds include a large carriage house and extensive gardens of exceptional beauty.
The Sprague Mansion is a living museum depicting the lifestyle of two of Rhode Island's former governors. It is used extensively for civic meetings, weddings, receptions, flower shows, etc, on a rental fee basis.}

_{Any organization or individual interested in renting the Mansion should call Mabel Kelley, resident manager at 401-944-9226.}

_{Group tours are available anytime, and may be arranged at 401-944-9226.}

_{Donations: Adults $3.00 and children under twelve $1.50.}

_{The Cranston Historical Society has owned and maintained the Joy Homestead since 1959. Joy Homestead was its headquarters until the acquisition of the Governor Sprague Mansion in 1969.}

_{Down through the years Joy Homestead was owned by Henry Knight(1901) and Albertus Colvin(1921).}

_{Located in western Cranston where three generations of the Joy family lived, the Joy Homestead is an excellent example of 18th century construction.}

_{It is a red gambrel roofed house of ten rooms and a deep cellar. The central chimney provides three fire places on the first floor. The second floor has two master chambers, one with a fireplace.}

_{The house has many distinctive features historians consider fascinating.}

_{The Joy Homestead has recently undergone extensive repairs and renovations. It is now available on a rental basis, for gathering of not more than thirty persons.}

_{Facilities for preparing light refreshments are available. For more information call the Cranston Historical Society at 401-944-9226.}

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_{Welcome to the following new Members:
Mr. and Mrs. Brock and Lisa Bierman of Cranston, Rhode Island}

_{Join us at the meeting Tuesday,May 19^th at 7:30 at the Sprague Mansion. We will have a mystery guest!!}

Just come in the front door and pull up chair, then join us for refreshments of pastries and coffee or tea. There is no charge for listening to our speakers.

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For anyone interested in the 1843 murder of Amasa Sprague, the murder which changed the capitol punishment laws in Rhode Island, recently found in our collection of artifacts is the original drawing of the murder map drawn by S. B. Cushing back in 1844. Please let curator know if you'd like to see the "real thing." You can visit a replication of the murder map.

For the under construction story of the Amasa Sprague murder.

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The Cranston Historical Society is a private non-profit group and is not supported by any state or local governments. Only the hard work and donations of our members and volunteers keep the Mansion and Joy Homestead afloat.

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NEW MEMBERS WANTED, sign up now!