Heritage Harbor Museum will be an intergenerational venue where the State's residents will share, learn, appreciate, and be inspired by the lives of past and present generations and their impact on the state, the nation, and the world. The complex heritage of Rhode Island and the surrounding region will be showcased through engaging exhibits, programs, and activities on site and off.

As one of 145 participating organizations in the Smithsonian Institution Affiliations Program, Heritage Harbor Museum will draw upon the collections and resources of the national museum. Smithsonian resources will add depth and breadth to our stories and programs, and facilitate Heritage Harbor Museum's quest to "advance knowledge, enhance understanding, and extol human dignity."

Mission Statement

Heritage Harbor’s mission is to:

Provide all of Rhode Island’s diverse communities a cultural and educational center where all may come together to celebrate our individual, family, communal and collective heritage and traditions;

Share with visitors from around the nation and world, the history and contributions of our state and its people;

Connect us as Rhode Islanders and Americans to our past and guide us toward the future through interactive exhibitions and programs that showcase our treasures and explore our place in the world;

Inspire learning, encourage civic engagement, facilitate inter-group understanding and collaboration, and extol the human dignity of all.

Goals

Create a museum of Rhode Island history that will be a critical educational resource and advance a deeper understanding of the state and its heritage.
Promote an understanding of, and appreciation for, cultural diversity through exhibits, events and activities.
Showcase historical artifacts.
Foster local pride and encourage universal human understanding.

Designed as a "vibrant harbor," Heritage Harbor Museum will be an innovative and exciting history museum, learning center, and visitor attraction.

The Legacy of Heritage Harbor Museum

Heritage Harbor Museum will be:

A PLACE OF LEARNING where we come to actively engage our histories, to explore our understandings of Rhode Island's past, present, and future, and to expand our capacity to make history, participate in civic life, and practice tolerance.

A MAJOR EVENTS VENUE where all Rhode Islanders come together to share and celebrate our communities' rich traditions.

A CULTURAL CENTER that fosters pride in our state and its heritage by engaging visitors in dialogue, showcasing our talents, and presenting Rhode Island's stories in a theatrical and dramatic fashion.

AN INDUSTRIAL ICON that chronicles and extols Rhode Island's economic vigor and industrial might, and encourages us to carry forward our tradition of ingenuity and innovation.

AN HISTORIC LANDMARK where we are immersed in the aura and splendor of Rhode Island's past as we inform our decisions about its future.

A DESTINATION ATTRACTION that attracts tens of thousands of out-of-state visitors and generates millions of dollars in tourist revenues.