Editing Coventry, Rhode Island

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Coventry, Rhode Island
| settlement_type    = Town
| nickname           = 
| image_skyline      = Washington Secondary Rail Trail, Anthony RI.jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = [[Anthony Village Historic District]]
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = Coventry Seal.jpg
| image_map          = Coventry RI lg.PNG
| map_caption        = Location in [[Kent County, Rhode Island|Kent County]] and the state of [[Rhode Island]].
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Rhode Island|County]]
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_name1  = [[Rhode Island]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Kent County, Rhode Island|Kent]]
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = 
| leader_name        = 
| established_date   = 
| area_total_sq_mi   = 62.3
| area_land_sq_mi    = 59.5
| area_water_sq_mi   = 2.8
| area_water_percent = 
| area_total_km2     = 161.5
| area_land_km2      = 154.2
| area_water_km2     = 7.3
| population_as_of   = 2020
| population_note    = 
| population_total   = 35688
| population_density_km2 = 231.4
| timezone           = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset         = &minus;5
| timezone_DST       = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = &minus;4
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 381
| coordinates        = {{coord|41|41|38|N|71|35|45|W|region:US-RI|display=inline,title}}
| website            = {{URL|coventryri.gov}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 02816
| area_code          = [[Area code 401|401]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 44-18640<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 1220082<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|1220082}}</ref>
| footnotes          = 
}}
'''Coventry''' is a town in [[Kent County, Rhode Island]].  The population was 35,688 at the [[2020 United States Census|2020 census]] and is part of the {{ill|Pawtuxet River Valley |qid=Q112258841}}.

==Geography==

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|62.3|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}}. {{convert|59.5|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}} of it is land and {{convert|2.8|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}} of it (4.49%) is water. The town is bordered by [[West Warwick, Rhode Island|West Warwick]] to the east, [[Foster, Rhode Island|Foster]], [[Scituate, Rhode Island|Scituate]], and [[Cranston, Rhode Island|Cranston]] to the north, [[West Greenwich, Rhode Island|West Greenwich]] and [[East Greenwich, Rhode Island|East Greenwich]] to the south, and [[Sterling, Connecticut|Sterling]], [[Connecticut]], to the west. It is the largest town in land area in Rhode Island, being surpassed in total area only by [[South Kingstown, Rhode Island]], with water and land area of {{convert|79.8|sqmi|km2}}.

==Climate==

According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Coventry has an [[oceanic climate]], abbreviated "Cfb" on climate maps.

{{Weather box
|location = Coventry, Rhode Island, 1991-2020 normals
|single line = Yes

|Jan high F = 36.4
|Feb high F = 38.5
|Mar high F = 47.0
|Apr high F = 60.5
|May high F = 71.0
|Jun high F = 79.6
|Jul high F = 85.0
|Aug high F = 82.0
|Sep high F = 74.3
|Oct high F = 62.3
|Nov high F = 51.5
|Dec high F = 41.8
|year high F=

|Jan mean F = 27.4
|Feb mean F = 29.4
|Mar mean F = 36.3
|Apr mean F = 48.4
|May mean F = 59.2
|Jun mean F = 68.3
|Jul mean F = 74.3
|Aug mean F = 72.0
|Sep mean F = 64.1
|Oct mean F = 52.3
|Nov mean F = 41.8
|Dec mean F = 33.1
|year mean F=

|Jan low F = 18.4
|Feb low F = 20.3
|Mar low F = 25.6
|Apr low F = 36.3
|May low F = 47.4
|Jun low F = 56.9
|Jul low F = 63.6
|Aug low F = 61.9
|Sep low F = 53.9
|Oct low F = 42.2
|Nov low F = 32.1
|Dec low F = 24.3
|year low F=

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 4.47
|Feb precipitation inch = 3.45
|Mar precipitation inch = 5.03
|Apr precipitation inch = 4.72
|May precipitation inch = 3.62
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.11
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.21
|Aug precipitation inch = 4.33
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.86
|Oct precipitation inch = 5.27
|Nov precipitation inch = 4.40
|Dec precipitation inch = 5.49
|year precipitation inch=

|source 1 = NOAA <ref name=NOAA>
{{cite web
|url =https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/#dataset=normals-monthly&timeframe=30&location=RI&station=USC00371875
|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title=U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access
}}
Retrieved on July 23, 2022.
</ref>
|date=July 2022
}}

== History ==

Coventry was settled by English colonists in the early 18th century, when it was part of [[Warwick, Rhode Island|Warwick]]. The area was far from the center of Warwick and grew very slowly. However, by 1741, enough farmers (about 100 families) had settled in the area that they petitioned the General Assembly of Rhode Island to create their own town. The petition was granted, and the new town was named Coventry after the [[Coventry|English city]]. For the rest of the 18th century, Coventry remained a rural town populated by farmers. Among the buildings that survive are the [[Waterman Tavern]] (1740s), the [[Nathanael Greene Homestead]] (1770), and the [[Paine Homestead]] (late 17th century to early 18th century). The oldest church is [https://mapleroot.org Maple Root Baptist Church] which dates from the end of the 18th century. The congregation was organized in 1762 and was affiliated with the [[General Six-Principle Baptists]].

During the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]], the people of Coventry were supporters of the patriot cause. [[Nathanael Greene]], a resident of Coventry, rose through the ranks to become a leading general of the American army. By the end of the war, Greene was second in command in the US army after [[George Washington]].

In the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution came to Coventry with the building of the first mill in Anthony. Over the next century, the eastern end of town became very industrialized, with manufacturing centers being located in Anthony, [[Washington, Rhode Island|Washington]], [[Quidnick, Rhode Island|Quidnick]], and [[Harris, Rhode Island|Harris]] villages. Many of the old factories still stand in the town, and the village centers remain mostly intact. The demographics of the town changed, as industrial jobs at these new mill villages attracted [[French Canadian]] and Irish immigrants. By the end of the 19th century, almost one fourth of the population was born outside the US, and French was the primary language for many of the people in the eastern part of Coventry. Not all immigrants worked in the factories. Census records from the late 19th century show that some owned farms.

By comparison, the western end of the town remained very rural, with the only centers of population being located at [[Greene, Rhode Island|Greene]] and [[Summit, Rhode Island|Summit]], both established as railroad stations on the [[New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad]].
[[File:Nathanael Greene Homestead.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[General Nathanael Greene Homestead]] pictured in 1902]]
In the 20th century, the town went through much change. The advent of the automobile brought an end of the railroad, and the track was dismantled in the 1970s. By the mid-20th century, industry had largely left the town and most of the factories closed.

== Recreation ==

Coventry offers a few recreation facilities. The town has youth sport leagues for football (boasting the 2006 American Youth Football National title), basketball, baseball, and softball. Carbuncle Pond off [[Rhode Island Route 14|Route 14]] (Plainfield Pike) near the Connecticut border is a {{convert|39|acre|m2|adj=on}} pond that is popular for freshwater fishing. Johnson's Pond, a waterfront neighborhood, houses facilities for fishing and watersports. ''Wakeboarding Magazine'' rated Johnson's Pond as the best location for [[wakeboarding]] in Rhode Island. The {{convert|860|acre|km2|adj=on}} George B. Parker woodland, owned by the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, offers several hiking trails. The woodland caretaker's home dates from the mid 18th century. [[File:Trailwoodscvty.jpg|thumb|Audubon Trail in Coventry]]

The town has been investing in the Coventry Greenway, a pedestrian and bicycle path built on the old New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad right-of-way and part of the [[East Coast Greenway]], a trail running from [[Maine]] to [[Florida]]. The Coventry Greenway travels {{convert|15|mi|km}} from the [[Connecticut]] state line to the [[West Warwick, Rhode Island|West Warwick]] town line. The greenway has recently undergone a massive renovation and has reopened to the public as a walking, cycling, and horse trail.

==Villages==

Coventry has numerous villages founded in the 19th century:

* [[Anthony, Rhode Island|Anthony]] – Mill village in the eastern part of the town
* [[Arkwright, Rhode Island|Arkwright]] – Mill village founded by [[James DeWolf]]
* [[Blackrock, Rhode Island|Blackrock]] – Named after a large dark rock rumored to be the site of Indian marriage ceremonies
* Colvintown – Named after original settlers
* [[Coventry Centre, Rhode Island|Coventry Centre]] – Village in the geographic center of Coventry
* [[Fairbanks, Rhode Island|Fairbanks]] – Mill village along the [[Moosup River]]
* [[Greene, Rhode Island|Greene]] – Old railroad village in the western end of town
* [[Harris, Rhode Island|Harris]] – Mill village in the northeastern part of town
* [[Hopkins Hollow]] – Rural hamlet in the southwestern part of town
* [[Quidnick, Rhode Island|Quidnick]] – Mill village on the border of West Warwick
* [[Rice City Historic District|Rice City]] – Rural village in the northwestern part of town, dominated by Rice Tavern (1804), which used to serve travelers on their way to Connecticut
* [[Spring Lake, Rhode Island|Spring Lake]] – Former mill village
* [[Summit, Rhode Island|Summit]] – Railroad village near Greene
* [[Tiogue, Rhode Island|Tiogue]] – Formerly Barclay, after [[Robert Barclay]]
* [[Washington, Rhode Island|Washington]] – Mill village in the center of the town
* [[Whaley's Hollow, Rhode Island|Whaley's Hollow]] – Mill village and location of [[Waterman Tavern]]

== Historic homes ==

Coventry boasts many old homes, churches and cemeteries. Farmhouses from the 18th century can be found scattered around the town, and many are still private residences. On the eastern side of town, many homes from the 19th century can be found, ranging from the two-family mill workers residence to mansions owned by the town elites. The village of [[Greene, Rhode Island|Greene]] and the [[Rice City Historic District|Rice City]] and [[Hopkins Hollow Village|Hopkins Hollow]] parts of town have remained unchanged since the 19th century. Also, many of the churches in Coventry date from the 19th century and are still functioning churches.

==National Register of Historic Places listings in Coventry==

* [[Isaac Bowen House]] (1795)
* [[Joseph Briggs House-Coventry Town Farm]] (1790)
* [[Carbuncle Hill Archaeological District, RI-1072-1079]]
* [[General Nathanael Greene Homestead]] (1770)
* [[Hopkins Hollow Village]]
* [[Interlaken Mill Bridge]] (1885)
* [[Moosup River Site (RI-1153)]]
* [[Paine House (Coventry, Rhode Island)|Paine House]] (1748)
* [[Pawtuxet Valley Dyeing Company]] (1859)
* [[Read School (Coventry, Rhode Island)|Read School]] (1831)
* [[Rice City Historic District]]
* [[South Main Street Historic District (Coventry, Rhode Island)]]
* [[Waterman Tavern]] (1744) – [http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?MarkerID=51663 Historical Marker for Waterman Tavern – HMdb]
* [[William Waterman House]]
* [[Wilson-Winslow House]] (1812)

==Demographics==

{{US Census population
|1790= 2477
|1800= 2423
|1810= 2928
|1820= 3139
|1830= 3851
|1840= 3433
|1850= 3620
|1860= 4247
|1870= 4349
|1880= 4519
|1890= 5068
|1900= 5279
|1910= 5848
|1920= 5670
|1930= 6430
|1940= 6998
|1950= 9869
|1960= 15432
|1970= 22947
|1980= 27065
|1990= 31083
|2000= 33668
|2010= 35014
|2020= 35688
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |title=Census of Population and Housing |publisher=Census.gov |access-date=June 4, 2016 }}</ref><ref name="Cen1865">{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NxsxC5mK7NAC | title=Report upon the Census of Rhode Island 1865 | publisher=Providence Press Company | author=Snow, Edwin M. | year=1867 | location=Providence, RI}}</ref>
}}
As of the [[census]] of 2020, there were 35,688 people and 14,503 households in the town. The population density was {{convert|604.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 14,931 housing units in the town. The racial makeup of the town was 90.90% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.94% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.23% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.30% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.17% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 5.44% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 3.44% of the population.

There were 14,503 households, out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 26.7% had a female householder with no spouse present, and 15.2% had a male householder with no spouse present. 8.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 18.6% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 29.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years.

The median income for a household in the town was $99,177, and the median income for a family was $115,718. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $46,557. About 7.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 8.0% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==

{| class="wikitable" class="toccolours" style="float:right; margin:1em 0 1em 1em; font-size:95%;"
|+ '''Coventry town vote<br /> by party in presidential elections'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rhode Island Board of Elections: Previous Election Results |url=https://elections.ri.gov/elections/previous-election-results |access-date=August 14, 2018}}</ref>
|-
! Year
![[Republican Party (United States)|GOP]]
![[Democratic Party (United States)|DEM]]
!Others
|-
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[2020 United States presidential election in Rhode Island|2020]]'''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''52.29%''' ''10,461''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|45.61% ''9123''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.10% ''420''
|-  
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[2016 United States presidential election in Rhode Island|2016]]'''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''52.52%''' ''9,199''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|40.15% ''7,032''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|7.33% ''1,283''
|-  
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2012 United States presidential election in Rhode Island|2012]]'''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Republican}}|42.22% ''6,969''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''55.26%''' ''9,122''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.51% ''415''
|-  
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2008 United States presidential election in Rhode Island|2008]]'''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Republican}}|42.57% ''7,367''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''55.60%''' ''9,622''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.83% ''316''
|-  
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2004 United States presidential election in Rhode Island|2004]]'''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Republican}}|45.40% ''7,249''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''52.71%''' ''8,417''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.89% ''301''
|-  
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2000 United States presidential election in Rhode Island|2000]]'''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Republican}}|35.28% ''5,111''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''58.08%''' ''8,415''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|6.64% ''962''
|-  
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1996 United States presidential election in Rhode Island|1996]]'''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Republican}}|26.66% ''3,633''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''54.92%''' ''7,485''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|18.42% ''2,511''
|-  
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1992 United States presidential election in Rhode Island|1992]]'''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Republican}}|29.63% ''4,466''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''40.38%''' ''6,086''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|29.98% ''4,519''
|-  
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1988 United States presidential election in Rhode Island|1988]]'''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Republican}}|49.77% ''6,348''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''49.88%''' ''6,362''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.36% ''46''
|}

Pursuant to its charter, Coventry's municipal government is classified as Council-Manager, with all powers vested in an elected Town Council, including the appointment of a Town Manager. Each Town councilperson represents one of five municipal districts. Members of the School Committee are also elected using these districts.

In the [[Rhode Island Senate]], Coventry is a part of the 21st and 33rd Districts. In the [[Rhode Island House of Representatives]] it is part of the a part of the 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th and 40th Districts. At the federal level, Coventry is included in [[Rhode Island's 2nd congressional district]] and is currently represented by Democrat [[Seth Magaziner|Seth M. Magaziner]].

== Notable people ==
<!-- Note:
· Only people who already have a Wikipedia article may appear here. This establishes notability.
· The article must mention how they are associated with Coventry, whether born, raised, or residing.
· The fact of their association should have a reliable source cited.
· Alphabetical by last name please.
· All others will be deleted.
-->

* [[Henry B. Anthony]] (1815–1884), US senator and the 21st [[List of Governors of Rhode Island|governor of Rhode Island]]; anti-Catholic newspaperman; born in Coventry<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896">{{cite book | title = Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896 | publisher = Marquis Who's Who | year = 1963}}</ref>
* [[Henry P. Baldwin]] (1814–1892), US senator from and the 15th [[List of Governors of Michigan|governor of Michigan]]; born in Coventry
* [[Allen Bestwick]] (born 1961), Race Announcer with NBC and ESPN/ABC. Notable for his [[NASCAR]] work
* [[Peter Frechette]], actor
* [[Nathanael Greene]] (1742–1786), Continental Army general during the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]]
* [[Mike Stefanik]], driver with [[NASCAR]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nascar.com/2006/news/headlines/official/12/17/mstefanik.whelen.champ/index.html |title=Whelen champ Stefanik celebrates ninth title |access-date=October 26, 2008 |date=December 17, 2006 |publisher=NASCAR.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090423050341/http://www.nascar.com/2006/news/headlines/official/12/17/mstefanik.whelen.champ/index.html |archive-date=April 23, 2009 }}</ref>
* [[Desiree Washington]], contestant of [[Miss Black America]] whom Heavyweight boxer [[Mike Tyson]] was found guilty of raping<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-03-31-ls-49326-story.html|title=Shattered : We know all about Mike Tyson's release from prison--the limo, the mansion, the boxing prospects. But what about the woman he raped? Desiree Washington is still trying to pick up the pieces of her life.|last=Gelman|first=Mitch|date=March 31, 1995|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=March 23, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Shipp |first=E. R. |date=March 27, 1992 |title=Tyson Gets 6-Year Prison Term For Rape Conviction in Indiana |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/03/27/sports/tyson-gets-6-year-prison-term-for-rape-conviction-in-indiana.html |access-date=February 3, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

==International relations==

===Twin towns – Sister cities===

Coventry, Rhode Island is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:
*{{flagdeco|UK}} [[Coventry]], United Kingdom<ref name="Coventry twinnings">{{cite web|url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/what-point-coventrys-twin-towns-3038605 |title=Coventry's twin towns |access-date=August 6, 2013 |last=Griffin |first=Mary |date=August 2, 2011 |work=Coventry Telegraph |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806032050/http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/what-point-coventrys-twin-towns-3038605 |archive-date=August 6, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="Coventry twins">{{cite web|url=http://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory/25/twin_towns_and_cities|title=Coventry - Twin towns and cities|access-date = August 6, 2013|work=Coventry City Council.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130412062545/http://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory/25/twin_towns_and_cities|archive-date=April 12, 2013 }}</ref>

==References==

{{reflist}}

==External links==

{{commons category}}
{{Portal|Rhode Island}}
*{{wikivoyage inline|Coventry (Rhode Island)|Coventry, Rhode Island}}
*[https://coventryri.gov/ Official website]

{{Kent County, Rhode Island}}
{{Rhode Island}}
{{Greater_Boston}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Coventry, Rhode Island| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Kent County, Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Providence metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Towns in Rhode Island]]
[[Category:1741 establishments in Rhode Island]]