Roger and Mary Williams Weekend
In collaboration with Roger Williams University and the National Park Service, Plimoth Patuxet Museums is pleased to present the Roger and Mary Williams Weekend at the Museum.
This two-day event will feature academic thought leadership and special living history events.
Entrance to all events is included with admission to Plimoth Patuxet.
Weekend Events
Saturday, May 17th
Roger Williams in the 17th-Century English Village | 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm
Guests to the Museum will have a chance to speak with Roger Williams (as played by John McNiff) at the Fort/Meetinghouse in the 17th-Century English Village at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm.
Roger Williams and His World: A Book Talk with Professor Charlotte Carrington-Farmer | 1 pm
Join Charlotte Carrington-Farmer (Professor of History at Roger Williams University) as she talks about her new book, Roger Williams and His World.
About the Book:
Roger Williams, a 17th-century English immigrant to New England, was famously banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1635 for his “new and dangerous opinions” on religious freedom, the separation of church and state, and Indigenous land rights. Following his banishment, Williams settled the town of Providence with the permission of the Narragansett Sachems, creating a colony that was arguably the freest in the western world. Williams is the most written-about person of 17th-century New England, yet he is notoriously difficult to read. This collection draws together a wide range of primary sources by and about Williams in order to make this history accessible to a broad audience. It frames Williams within his wider world, encompassing all aspects of his life, from the famous to the lesser known. The included source texts vividly bring to life Williams’s early years in England, his migration to New England, his banishment, the founding of Providence, his revolutionary views on religious freedom and the separation of church and state, and the wide-ranging interactions he had with Indigenous peoples. This collection draws you into his 17th-century world firsthand, revealing the competing impulses and tensions at play.
Book Signing | 2 pm
Join Charlotte Carrington-Farmer (Professor of History at Roger Williams University) for a book signing of her new work, Roger Williams and His World, at the Museum's Gift shop.
Conversation with John McNiff as Roger Williams | 4 pm
Join Charlotte Carrington-Farmer (Professor of History at Roger Williams University) in an unscripted conversation with John McNiff, who will portray Roger Williams in 17th-century dress and language.
Sunday, May 18th
“Mary Williams' Early Life in Nottinghamshire: Across the Pond Conversation” with Charlotte Carrington-Farmer and Adrian Gray | 1 pm
Richard Pickering, the Museum's Deputy Executive Director & Senior Historian, will explore Mary Barnard Williams' early life in Nottinghamshire in conversation with Dr. Charlotte Carrington-Farmer and Adrian Gray MA. Mr. Gray is a Cambridge-educated historian and the author of more than twenty-five books on a variety of historical topics. He specializes in the history and culture of the English counties of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. Mr. Gray serves as historical adviser and director of Pilgrims & Prophets Christian Heritage Tours, which helps travelers discover the secrets and treasures of Bassetlaw District, towns at the heart of the Pilgrims' origins and linked to the Williams' story.
Mary Williams and Her World: A Talk by Charlotte Carrington-Farmer & "The Loneliness of Soul Liberty" Performance Piece | 2:15 pm
For centuries, Roger Williams has been revered as the founding hero of Providence, his legacy immortalized in books, statues, and landmarks. But what about the woman by his side? In a fresh
exploration, Charlotte Carrington-Farmer shifts the spotlight onto Mary Williams, Roger’s wife, whose role in early colonial history has largely been forgotten – until now. Mary Williams was a commanding presence in her own right, assuming the mantle of leadership during Roger’s frequent absences and navigating the nuances of colonial life. As head of the Williams household, she emerged as a vital player in the governance of Providence, where her influence extended far beyond her family. Telling Mary Williams’ story represents a pivotal step in the larger movement to reveal the voices of women whose participation have gone unacknowledged in the historical record.
The talk draws on Dr. Carrington-Farmer’s recent work, including her article “More than Roger’s Wife, Mary Williams and the Founding of Providence,” New England Quarterly(2024) and her new
book, Roger Williams and His World (Broadview Press, 2025.).
Book Signing | 3:30 pm
Join Charlotte Carrington-Farmer (Professor of History at Roger Williams University) for a book signing of her new work, Roger Williams and His World, at the Museum's Gift shop.
Entrance to all events is included with admission to Plimoth Patuxet.