It seemed appropriate this year to feature a theme that kept me close to home, so I give you my A to Z within the small acreage that is Rhode Island. I tried to be creative (you’ll see!) but I hope you learn something about Little Rhody, too. Whether you’ve lived here all your life, grew up within the boundaries, or have never set foot on one of our many beaches, come along for a virtual tour.
Got baking powder? If you do, chances are it’s Rumford baking powder. Well, today’s feature is Rumford, Rhode Island, and yes, there is a connection!
Rumford is actually a part of the city of East Providence, and borders the neighboring city of Pawtucket (from the Algonquin meaning ‘river fall’). The photo above shows the old Rumford Chemical Works, which was chartered in Rhode Island in 1862. Rumford baking powder was developed and named after Sir Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford. Thompson was an American-born British physicist and inventor, but it was Eben Horsford was actually invented baking powder. Okay, that’s enough history.
Hulman & Company acquired the Rumford Chemical Works in 1950. It still makes Rumford baking powder, now at its manufacturing plant in Terre Haute, Indiana. And the building you see pictured at the top of this post now offers studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments.
Martha Reynolds Writes 
M…..this is a great history lesson. I only learned about this recently, and you guessed it…..I love riding by here on my bike; a beautiful building!!!
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It’s East Bay, so, like, really far away 😂 but I liked it, too!
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Happy to know.:-D
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I use Clabber Girl, and I read above it’s owned by the same company. I wonder why they bother having two brands (more I see) of the same thing.
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Maybe because Rumford baking powder is so well known around here? But Clabber Girl? Wonder who came up with that name?!
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Well I had to Google this. I use Clabber Girl. Turns out Rumford and Clabber Girl are owned by the same Indiana company, B and G Foods. I’m always learning.
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Hari Om
I LOVE that building; a bit of an architecture hobbyist and that has so much symmetry and a real functional quality about it. So glad it has been preserved and repurposed. YAM xx
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And those giant windows!
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Rumford is one of the prettiest villages in Rhode Island. I once had a hope to live there, but we ended up on the other side of the bay.
Happy here in little N.P.
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We had a nice day on the East Bay, Connie – we were able to see the Kickamuit River and my “T” post, too.
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i will think of you Martha, when I use my Rumford Baking Powder. 😉
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I have two canisters in my cupboard, Helen!
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I have two canisters of Rumford Baking Powder, too. When I read about the contests that took place, I recall the part in Anne of Green Gables where they use Rollings Reliable. 🙂
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