Richmond is a town in Washington County, Rhode Island, 35 miles south-southwest of Providence. It is bordered to the north by the town of Exeter, to the west by the village of Wood River and to the south by the Pawcatuck River.
Richmond was incorporated as a town by the General Assembly of Rhode Island on August 18, 1747. The name of the town is said to derive from that of Edward Richmond, the state's colonial attorney general from 1677 to 1680. Tradition holds that the first settlers of Richmond were a married couple, John Babcock and Mary Lawson, whose son James was the first non-Native American child born in Narragansett territory. (The story is likely a later invention.)
Richmond's economy was based on textile manufacturing from the mid-1800s through the 1960s. Today the town serves mainly as a bedroom community for commuters working in Providence, Warwick and eastern Connecticut.
Interstate 95 passes through town. Get off 95 at exit 3A or exit 3B (Hope Valley / South Kingstown exit). Either offramp will put you on RI 138.
There is a park n' ride across from the McDonalds on Rt. 138, and right off of 95, which RIPTA operates.
The Three main roads that lead through Richmond are Rt. 138, Rt. 3 and Rt. 112. Following 138 with either lead you west into Hopkinton or east to route 1 and South Kingstown. Route 3 will bring you into Exeter and West Greenwich. Following 112 will lead you south in Charlestown.
Easy Places to get to from Richmond, RI:
University Of Rhode Island: Coming from 95 North, you must take exit 3A, and continue down 138 until it runs into URI. The speed limit is 35 for most of the way and the troopers are unforgiving, especially to out-of-state drivers.
South Kingstown: Coming from 95 North again, you take exit 3A, and come down 138 until you reach South Kingstown.
Hopkinton: When driving through town, go west on 138, which leads you into Hopkinton. You come to a three way stop-light, and continue going straight. You will pass a little league baseball field on your left and that’s how you know you are going the correct way.
Westerly: Going into town, you can get onto 95 South from either side of the road which makes it easy to get to Westerly. Get on 95 South until you get to Exit 1, which will lead you into Westerly.
Warwick: Getting to Warwick is just as easy, once you are on Main Street take 95 North, which will bring you to Providence, Warwick, and Massachusetts. Route 95 is the easiest way to get around, and the main highway for the area.
Richmond is a small town not easily traveled without motor vehicle. The small town of Richmond contains several villages, including: Arcadia, Alton, Carolina, Hope Valley, Kenyon, Shannock, Usquepaug, Woodville and Wyoming.
Much of Richmond is still untouched by development. Indeed, Richmond is one of the last few enclaves that perpetuate the simple pleasures of Rhode Island.
There are many ponds and rivers where the nature enthusiast can enjoy fishing or kayaking.
The Charlestown Fish Pond, a hidden treasure, is buried in the woods but still attracts up to 100 visitors at the start of every season.
Crawly Preserve, a nature retreat, is located in Richmond.
The North-South Trail runs through Richmond, with marked trails. It is a hike that can be as long or as short as you desire.
Arcadia Management Area is a nice place for bike rides, hikes, walking dogs, kayaking, hunting, and fishing. The small rivers and ponds throughout the area are stocked with trout every spring. Arcadia consists of 14,000 acres with cleared trails and a few different large ponds, the largest being Break Heart Pond. It is an undeniably beautiful area and a perfect retreat for outdoorsy people.
Carolina Management Area is also a nice place to enjoy the outdoors. It consists of 2,359 acres of public property. The main access is located on the left hand side heading west on Pine Hill Road. It can be most easily accessed from Rt 112, which is the main road that goes through the tiny hamlet of Carolina. This area has cut trails as well as a portion of the North-South trail going through the management area. Recreational activities include hiking, bird watching, hunting and fishing during the legal seasons (details can be obtained from the RI DEM (dead link: January 2023) website), horse back riding, and cross country skiing in the winter. (Camping is not permitted in any season, however.) RI 91 runs along the back side of the Management Area, with several unmarked accesses. There are fields, swamplands, and stands of pine that you can hike through.
The Town Hall Website is up-to-date on the latest events and goings-on in town.
If you like to golf there are a number of fine courses nearby, including: Beaver River Golf Course, Richmond Country Club, Fenner Hill Golf Club, Pinehurt Golf Course and Wood River Golf Club.
During the month of August, Richmond holds the annual and much anticipated Washington County Fair. For a week many gather to listen to music, watch racing lawnmowers, and to play carnival games. The Washington County Fair is Richmond's biggest event, followed by the lively Farmers' Market in front of the town hall.
With an abundance of rivers and streams, there are also plenty of good fishing spots in and around town. Supplies can be bought at the local bait and tackle shop in Hope Valley, a mile or so down Route 138 from the Town Hall.
There are a number of useful shops and service businesses in Richmond.
Richmond's culinary scene features many of the usual suspects, with a smattering of local spice.
Following RI 138 East leads to the University of Rhode Island. You can also take 138 East to RI 112, which brings you south to Charlestown.
Route 138 west brings you to RI 3, which leads to Hopkinton (south), or Exeter / West Greenwich (north).
You can also take US 95 North (to Providence) or 95 South (to Westerly) out of town.