May 26, 1949 – The Cranston Historical Society is started with the goal of receiving and caring for relics of historical interest and someday having a museum to display them.

June 23, 1949 – John Stuart is elected first president

April 5, 1950 – Articles of Association are filed with the state

Nov. 1950 - A weekly column, called ‘Echoes of Cranston’, written by CHS members begins to appear weekly in Cranston newspapers and continue until 1958 - 221 articles in all.

1954 – Bicentennial (1754 – 1954) is celebrated and CHS members contribute to the commemorative program with numerous articles on Cranston’s history

1959 – The Society takes out a $4,000 mortgage to buy the Joy Homestead, a house dating back to the 1770’s. Many years of renovation follow.

1966 – Upset by plans to demolish the Governor Sprague Mansion, a group of CHS members led by Virginia Lynch spring into action to raise the $100,000 needed to buy the property

Feb. 6, 1966 – Providence Sunday Journal runs article on the Society’s attempts to save the Sprague Mansion using interior photos of the current residence of J. Harold May, general superintendent of the Cranston Print Works, and his wife.

Feb. 8, 1966 – Evening Bulletin article details how the community is helping to save the Sprague Mansion, including school children who are raising money, building models out of sugar cubes and writing letters and essays.

June 1, 1966 – CHS officially owns the Governor Sprague Mansion

May 1967 – Historical Trail maps are distributed to all Cranston students in Grades 5 -12, encouraging them to visit the Joy Homestead, the Sprague Mansion and the Windsor’s Azalea Gardens

1968 – Mr. and Mrs. James Scott become resident managers of the Sprague Mansion and stay for 8 years.

1975 – The Society publishes Other Ways and Other Days, a collection of historical articles written by Gladys Brayton.

April 1975 – CHS holds Pops Concert at the Chateau de Ville to benefit the Joy Homestead.

July 1776 – As part of the country’s bicentennial, CHS rents a bus and offers guide tours of historical sites in Cranston.

August 1976 – Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Kelly become resident managers of the Sprague Mansion. After her husband died, Mabel stays on until 2008.

1999 – Lydia Rapoza and Bette Miller write Images of America: Cranston featuring photos from the society’s collection

1999 – The society celebrates its 50 th anniversary with a series of special events.

Oct. 2003 – The Charlie the Butler Ghost Party debuts and continues every Halloween to this day, featuring first Rory Raven and then Jared the Mentalist as entertainment.
June 18, 2005 – The first Rochambeau Strawberry Biscuit Tea is held, marking the date when General Rochambeau marched past the Joy Homestead on the way to Yorktown to join Washington in winning the American Revolution.
June 2006 – Joy Homestead is designated as a local historic district.

April 2008 – Gregg and Mary Mierka become the new resident managers.

Oct. 16, 2010 – CHS celebrates the 100 th anniversary of the city with a wine and cheese reception featuring a visual presentation entitled “Remembering Cranston 100 Years Ago”

August 2011 – CHS hosts the first of a series of bus tours at Sprague Mansion serving visitors from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Maine, Cape Cod, and Canada

Feb. 2013 – CHS uses a House Legislative grant to buy a computer, software and storage units that allow us to better store and keep track of our collections.

2014 - Images of America: Cranston Revisited is written by Sandra Moyer and Tom Worthington, using more photos from the Society’s collection.

April 2014 – ABC News does a segment on their Our Neighborhood, Our Lives series that features Cranston. The program included an extensive interview with the Society’s president and a tour of the Sprague Mansion.

April 2015 – The first Victorian Tea is held featuring Patricia Perry on Victorian etiquette.

March 2017 – The CHS newsletter debuts a new format featuring color photos and several original articles on local historical topics in each issue.

April 19, 2017 – The Cranston Discovery Network, a series of historical informational signs using information and photos from the CHS collection, dedicates its first sign entitled Spragueville. Seven other signs follow.

2019 – Cranston Through Time, written by Sandra Moyer and Jan Ragno, uses current photos of Cranston landmarks to contrast them with old photos.

2020 – Tour with Tea program begins during pandemic as it offers limited/intimate seating in Sprague Dining Room for small groups.

2021 – The CHS begins a concerted effort to work together with other Cranston nonprofits and government agencies to benefit our city. The Sprague Mansion and its grounds became the site of Mayor’s Picnics, library summer reading kickoffs, and events hosted by organizations like Cranston Family Center/COZ and One Cranston Health Equity Zone.

April 2024 – The first American Girl Doll Afternoon Tea for young folks and families is held.

September 6-8, 2024 - CHS celebrates its 75 Anniversary with a Gala honoring nine people who have contributed greatly to the city of Cranston.

September 6, 2025 – The CHS holds the first Taste of Cranston where the public samples
food and drink from many local restaurants.

January 2026 – The CHS debuts its new website at cranstonhistory.org.