The Sowams Heritage Area Project is undertaking an initiative to develop a National Heritage Area (NHA) in Sowams, the ancestral homeland of the Massasoit Ousamequin who welcomed the Pilgrims in 1621. The project is led by a regional coalition of town planners, tourism agencies, historical societies, environmentalists, Tribal leaders, and other volunteers from the nine towns and cities that today comprise Sowams, along the northeastern shore of Narragansett Bay. Two Community Conversations were held on October 17th and 18th, 2023, to gather input from community members.

(Above) At the session held on October 17th at the UCC Church in Swansea, MA, Andrea Rounds spoke with Carol Bragg before Consultant Nancy Morgan described the feasibility study process.

(Above, left) Pokanoket Sachem Dancing Star spoke as Steering Committee members Bill Napolitano and Winds of Thunder listened. (Above, center and right) Consultant Peter Samuel described what a heritage area can do before Bill Napolitano spoke about the places that are special to people in the Sowams Area.

(Above, left) Consultant Augie Carlino asked those in attendance for their thoughts about what a National Heritage Area designation could do for Sowams before Warren resident Martha Antaya (center) and East Providence City Planner Jim Moran responded.