Have you ever noticed that Rhode Island is not an island? I had never thought about it until moving here, but soon the name became a point of irritation for me. I hate it when things aren’t what they say they are. How dare my state lie!
It turns out that there’s a simple explanation behind the seeming misnomer. While Rhode Island may not be an island state, it does include some islands. One of them, the site of Newport, is usually called Aquidneck Island. However, its official name is “Rhode Island” and the state’s official name is “State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.” If you know those two key facts, the name becomes less an annoyance and more of an endearing quirk. Just don’t go looking for plantations in Providence! I doubt you’ll find many. The founders of the state used the word “plantation” to refer to a new colony.
The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations is no longer new colonial territory, but from my individual perspective, it is still an unexplored land. As the weather gets warmer, I plan to spend some real time in the exploration of this new home state of mine. I’ll be looking for traditional johnnycakes and for the best family-style chicken dinners, among other things. I’ll keep you posted on my discoveries.