top of page
Gold Wallpaper_edited.jpg

Tours of Our Historic Properties

Both the Joy Homestead and the Gov. Sprague Mansion are open to the public for tours by calling (401) 944-9226. The mansion is also open every Thursday from 1 to 4 pm.

​

The Joy Homestead is typical of a Colonial farm house and contains artifacts from that time such as cooking utensils in two of the fireplaces. Because Job Joy, the original owner, was a shoemaker, there are also tools associated with that trade.

​

The Governor Sprague Mansion was the home of four generations of the family including two governors who also became U.S. Senators. The original section was built in 1790. That older part of the building contrasts with the elegant Victorian addition that was built in 1864 when the Spragues were at the peak of their political and industrial power. There is also a large Carriage House on the property which contains horse stalls as well as antique wagons and buggies.

​

​

General info about tours:

 

CRANSTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

 1351 Cranston Street ~ Cranston, Rhode Island 02920

Phone 401-944-9226    http://www.facebook.com/cranstonhistoricalsociety

    cranston.historical.society@gmail.com

​

     General Tours: $10 adults; $5 12 and under

​

            Walkin tours on Thursday from 1 to 4 pm.  For all other times, please make an appointment by calling (401) 944-9226. 

​

      Special/Group tours ~ call for availability

 

 The Cranston Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit historical and education organization

Bus Tours

Bus Tours Operators are invited to include the Governor Sprague Mansion in their group tours to RI. These tours can be scheduled for any time of the year, but most of them have taken advantage of the weeks when the Mansion is decorated for Halloween in October and Christmas in late November and December. Contact (401) 944-9226 for details.


Example: For Halloween, tour members will receive a tour of the Victorian style
Sprague Mansion and Carriage House which is followed by a presentation of ghost
stories associated with the property. Luncheon can also be provided.
 

Sample menu:

-Disappearing Chicken with Bubbling Lemon, Butter/Wine Brew

            -Witches Fingers (Sesame Chicken/Honey Mustard)
            -Ghost Brains (Vegetable Frittata)
            -Ghost Potatoes (Mashed Potatoes Peaks)
            -Apple Cobbler
            -Sprague Punch

The Cranston Historical Society is a private, non-profit educational and historic preservation organization. The Cranston Historical Society is categorized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and membership donations and other contributions are deductible for Federal income tax purposes to the extent permitted by law Copyright, Cranston Historical Society, 2005. All rights reserved. All information on the sites belonging to the Cranston Historical Society, are the property of the Cranston Historical Society. Copying or use of this information or images is forbidden without the written permission of the Cranston Historical Society.

Copyright 2025 - Cranston Historical Society

bottom of page