Shakespeare’s Head Garden

The garden behind the building known as Shakespeare’s Head is stewarded by the Providence Preservation Society. Following the 1938 hurricane that devastated much of Providence, the garden was redesigned by landscape architect James Graham in the Colonial Revival style (original 1939 garden plan). Since then, it has been modified slightly to simplify maintenance and more accurately reflect the earlier colonial period of the house itself. For many years, landscape design and care was provided by Shakespeare’s Head Association board member Lalla Searle, a landscape architect who also taught at the Rhode Island School of Design. The Barbara S. Gwynne Fund, established at the Rhode Island Foundation, contributes to the ongoing care of the garden. 

The name “Shakespeare’s Head” recalls the colonial era, when the building was used as a printshop and post office by John Carter, who had trained with Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia. His family lived upstairs. The writing-related enterprises inside were advertised by a sign featuring the head of Shakespeare on a pole outside the building. John Carter built the house in 1772 and published the city’s first newspaper, The Providence Gazette, here until 1793. His family continued to live in the house after the printshop and post office were moved to Market Square.

Late 20th-century and present-day partial plant list: foxglove, hellebore, iris, rosa mundi (Rosa gallica 'versicolor"), Scotch rose, Fothergilla, native columbine, gas plant, lady fern, false fern, peony, false indigo, mayapple, Solomon’s seal, goatsbeard

Shrubs: lilac, dwarf Viburnum, common boxwood, rose of Sharon, oakleaf hydrangea, bottlebrush buckeye

Trees: Carolina silverbell, quince, Bartlett pear, linden, Magnolia stellata, Amur cork

Open Days 2021: Saturday, June 12
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This is one of eight gardens on the Festival of Gardens tour presented by the Garden Conservancy in partnership with the Providence Preservation Society and the Providence Tourism Council.

Access to these gardens is only with a day pass available for purchase (with a discount for Garden Conservancy members) at www.providencehousetour.com.