Category Archives: Local History

9 Mens Misery Talk and Walk

Saturday March 31, 2012   /    12:00 PM  -  2:00 PM Contact: Betty Havrylik   (401) 333-2552, x 2   reference@cumberlandlibrary.org Nine Men’s Misery is located on the monastery grounds, a short 15-20 minute walk behind the library. It dates back … Continue reading

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Long Ago in Cumberland……

Cumberland was once known for one of the best ski areas in New England.  Diamond Hill ski area, with a height of 481 feet, had a rope tow, ski jump and toboggan run.  There were no chair lifts and snow … Continue reading

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Long Ago in Cumberland…..

Cumberland may not have a view of the sea, but there was once a thriving boat building trade in town.  In 1790 Alexander Thompson moved his boat building business here from Providence.  By 1815 there were nineteen businesses in the … Continue reading

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Long Ago in Cumberland….

In 1894 there were 16 grammar schools in Cumberland! Then in the early 1920’s the town took delivery of two school buses, which led to the closing of the one room school houses and the building of larger schools.  The … Continue reading

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Long Ago in Cumberland……

Before the current Town Hall was built in 1894, the village of Cumberland Hill served as the seat of the town government.  Residents would argue as to whose home would have the honor of hosting the town meeting. These places … Continue reading

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Long Ago in Cumberland……

March 21, 2010 marked the 60th anniversary of the Monastery Fire.  The fire was discovered under the stairway in the Guest House, one of the first buildings completed on the Monastery Grounds.  Ironically, this building was scheduled to be replaced … Continue reading

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A long time ago in Cumberland

The large granite building housing part of the library was once a Trappist Monastery.  The monks of the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance began building here in 1900.  They were a silent order, but visitors could speak to the … Continue reading

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