How many idiots in your household? That was a legitimate census question in 1840. Census materials from the 1700s to the present are on display now at the State Archives building downtown. ‘Count Me In’ runs through March 2020 and is free and open to the public. The timeline is fascinating but this wall text really sums up the particular challenge we face here in Rhode Island:
Rhode Island has several populations including children, young adults, people who move frequently, and non-English speakers that have historically been difficult to count.
An undercount in 2020 could results in our losing a congressional seat and forgoing federal dollars.
(The government is now hiring — extra income, flexible hours, weekly pay, paid training — you can be a census taker. Go here for information.)
Because of the holiday parking, the meters downtown are free for two hours, now through January 1. After that, you can get free, two-hour validated parking at Down City Parking on the corner of Westminster and Snow Streets.
Free and open to the public, 8:30am to 4:30pm, Count Me In, RI State Archives, 337 Westminster Street, (directions)
I suggest we reintroduce “idiot” to the list of categories of “persons living in household” for the 2030 census. It seems to be the country’s fastest growing constituency.
Want to send your state rep a birthday card? Find out when and where with one of these: The R.I. Government Owner’s Manual. This reference has some useful lists of committees and their members . . . perfect for bloggers.