New England is sort of known for covered bridges. Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Maine all have at least a few, and some states have day trips dedicated just to these lovely structures. The image of a covered bridge feels quintessentially New England in every way, so why is it that Rhode Island has only one of them? Maybe it’s just that the state is small, or perhaps infrastructure just works differently in our little state, but either way, we are glad to have at least one so we can keep up with the rest of the area, and boy is she beautiful!
Swamp Meadow Covered Bridge is located on Central Pike in the small town of Foster Rhode Island.
Basheer Tome/Flickr
Originally the bridge was proposed in 1986, but permission to build it was not given until 1992
Ryan Dlugash/Flickr
Wood to build the covered part of the bridge was donated by Providence Water Supply, and it was constructed on top of an already exiting steel bridge.
James Walsh/Flickr
The whole thing was built by volunteers in less than six months!
Jimmy Everson, DVM/Flickr
Sadly the original bridge was burnt town by vandals just one day short of a year after it was built, but a campaign to rebuild was launched immediately after the fire, and construction of the bridge we see today started very soon after.
Jimmy Everson, DVM/Flickr
While not being very old, the bridge gives the area a truly charming and pastoral look, and it is the perfect area to go for a stroll or a drive.
j4yx0r/Flickr
Foster is such a cute little part of Rhode Island, and this bridge is definitely its shining star. Are you already planning your trip there? Read more about how to make the most of your time in Foster here.
Basheer Tome/Flickr
Ryan Dlugash/Flickr
James Walsh/Flickr
Jimmy Everson, DVM/Flickr
j4yx0r/Flickr
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Address: Swamp Meadow Covered Bridge, 105A Central Pike, Foster, RI 02825, USA
