If walls could talk, the ones inside the Johnson & Wales Culinary Museum would have plenty to say. From gleaming vintage diners to 19th-century cooking equipment and community cookbooks that tell stories of Rhode Islanders helping Rhode Islanders, the museum is a delicious slice of local history served with a side of nostalgia.
For two days only, on October 30 and 31, the museum opens its doors for public tours in honor of Rhode Island’s 250th anniversary. Visitors will explore a mix of exhibits celebrating the Ocean State’s one-of-a-kind food story, from local diners and candy makers to vintage kitchen tools that have seasoned generations of meals.
For Museum Curator Erin Williams, the event is more than a showcase of artifacts. It’s a celebration of the people, places, and traditions that have shaped how Rhode Islanders cook, eat, and connect. “Everything we have here tells a story,” says Williams. “Food connects us to each other, to our communities, and to the history of this state.”
Williams has been working with design students and faculty to reimagine how Rhode Island’s food history is told. Recipes for Shared Community: Rhode Island in Action is one of several special exhibits created just for the occasion, spotlighting the Ocean State’s proud culinary heritage and the people who’ve kept it cooking for generations.
At the center of the display is a remarkable collection of 141 community cookbooks representing 127 local organizations, from church groups and garden clubs to neighborhood schools and family businesses. The exhibit offers a heartfelt look at how Rhode Islanders have always come together over food, sharing traditions through recipes that read like love letters to their communities.
“These books tell the story of Rhode Islanders helping Rhode Islanders,” says Williams. “They capture the grassroots spirit of community that defines this state.”
Beyond the cookbooks, visitors will find treasures from some of Rhode Island’s most iconic food institutions, including pieces from the Ever Ready Diner that once served Providence locals, a gleaming Sweenor’s Chocolates kettle, and an HJ Astle steam table built right here in the city. Together, they paint a vibrant portrait of how local ingenuity and flavor have always gone hand in hand.
Each tour, led by Williams, lasts about an hour and ends with a spread of JWU-catered treats inspired by the museum’s collections. Guests can then wander through the museum’s 16 exhibits at their own pace, exploring displays that link culinary history with innovation, design, and storytelling.
The museum’s setting adds its own layer of history. The building once housed part of the Kaiser Shipyard, where Liberty ships were built during World War II. “You can feel the weight of that history in the beams,” says Williams. “It’s a space that connects the past and present in a really tangible way.”
Tickets are limited, and the tours are expected to sell out quickly. Whether you’re a foodie, a history buff, or simply curious to see Rhode Island’s culinary past up close, this is one experience worth savoring. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit RhodeIsland250.org.
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