Major Attractions

Job Armstrong Store 1181 Main St., PO Box 745 Chepachet, RI 02814 Phone: 401-568-4077 Contact: Barbara Kissock

Quick Facts

Hours: Sat.: 12 - 4 pm; Mon. - Fri.: by appointment. Group or private tours by appointment. Directions: From Providence: Rte. 95 to Rte. 6 West to Rte. 295 North to Rte. 44 West From Northern Connecticut: Rte 44 East From Southern Connecticut: Rte 395 North to Rte. 44 East

Built in 1827 by Job Armstrong, former Justice of the Peace and Representative to the Rhode Island General Assembly, the store became the larges of 13 dry goods stores in Chepachet.

Armstrong was born in 1784 and was also a Director of the Franklin Bank in Chepachet in addition to his public positions. In 1971, the building was purchased by the Glocester Heritage Society and is now the Society's headquarters.

In addition to housing the Society, the building has been restored over the years and is now a living museum with working artisans demonstrating the crafts of our ancestors - spinning, weaving, quilting, and rug hooking. Crafts made by these artisans and other Rhode Island craftspeople are on sale in the country store.

Also featured at the store are historical displays, period costume displays, historic textile displays, and photo exhibits. Educational tours are available for school children, and resident artisans offer classes and workshops.

The store also houses a visitor center which provides tourist information, maps, brochures of historic sites, restaurants, shops, and recreational facilities.

Annual Events

Annual events include the following:

• Country Artisans Fair: 3rd Saturday in March
• House & Garden Tours: 3rd Saturday in June
• Heritage Day: 3rd Sunday in September
• Hooked Rug Show: 3rd Saturday in October
• Peddlers' Fair and Quilt Show: 3rd Saturday in November
• Christmas House Tours: 2nd Sunday in December

Back to Major Attractions