RIBHS beneficiary of walking tour

By Rebecca Keister
PBN Staff Writer

PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Black Heritage Society will be the beneficiary of the African American History Walking Tour of Providence’s College Hill hosted by State Rep. Raymond A. Hull, D-Providence, on June 9.

Ray Rickman, popular for his College Hill walking tours, will lead the event and offer his personal perspective on the people, places, and events of Providence’s oldest neighborhood.

“Ray’s walking tours are participatory and engaging,” said Hull in a statement. “[His] tours are like spending time with a top-notch university professor, but without the classroom or the high tuition.”

Included on the tour will be a permanent historic market honoring opera singer Sissieretta Jones (1868-1933) who live in Rhode Island for 57 years and who once was the highest paid African American performer worldwide, according to the society which recently unveiled the market near her former home at 7 Wheaton St.

The tour is $20 for adults and $10 for youth 16 and under. It departs from the entrance to the RISD auditorium between College and Waterman streets at 10 a.m.