Look at that face. Check out the new exhibit — “Protecting Providence: Three Centuries of Policing in Rhode Island’s Capital City” — Providence City Hall, second floor.
Great old photos, documents, and artifacts like old handcuffs and billy clubs. Lots of fun gangster names and quirky stories (Lizzie Borden got arrested for stealing paintings from Tilden-Thurber? How odd. After all, she had recently come into some money.)
The exhibit coincides with a celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Providence Police Department, and the publishing of “Providence Police Department.” Authors Paul Campbell (archivist for the City of Providence), John Glancy (retired as captain in 2003 after 27 years) and George Pearson who joined the PPD in 1978, serving in patrol and as a BCI detective, have chronicled the challenges of police work through the years.
The Providence Journal had a great write-up by Amanda Milkovits and they raided their own archives for an amazing slideshow. Look at the gangbusters at the pistol range!
Exhibit is up through September 29th. The book is for sale at the city archives office, here online, and fine bookstores everywhere.