The beautiful serene territory of the East Bay is said to have had its beginnings in the early 1600s when the Indians first came here. A favorite with Massasoit, Chief of the Wampanoags, the area began drawing English settlers from nearby Plymouth and Boston during the mid 1600s. The territory was to remain part of Massachusetts until 1747 when royal decree incorporated it into Rhode Island.
Because of their proximity to the sea, Warren and Bristol quickly emerged as vital colonial ports. Barrington, at first a part of Warren, was incorporated as a seaport town in 1770 remaining for the most part, a quiet farming community until the mid 20th century.
   With the outbreak of the American Revolution, destruction and famine came to the area as British and Hessian troops looted and burned Warren and Bristol. However, shortly after America won independence, recovery was rapid as maritime endeavors such as whaling, shipbuilding and trade flourished in those towns.
   Bristol remained a major port until Boston Harbor was dredged. Today, Bristol County's waterways are filled with a myriad of pleasure boats mixed with quahog skiffs, fishing vessels, tour boats such as the Vista Jubilee and Bristol's Prudence Island Ferry.
   The East Bay has a distinctive character shaped by its relations to Narragansett Bay and the personality of its 50,000 residents. Located only a few miles from the cities of Providence, Newport and Fall River, Massachusetts, the East Bay offers visitors and residents a unique blend of American and Old World heritage.
   The heritage is most keenly felt each year at the Bristol Fourth of July Parade. It will begin again this year, like every year with the ringing of the bells at 6:00am. Bristol's parade has gained national recognition and draws thousands of visitors from all over the United States. Running continuously since 1785, Bristol's Fourth of July Parade is the longest running parade in the country.
   The religious freedom sought by the early settlers is clearly expressed by the 29 places of worship existing today in our county. Warren's Baptist Church, built in 1844, is said to have had its bell originally cast by Paul Revere. These churches represent all major denominations and the ethnic diversity of Bristol County's populace. Many Portuguese immigrated to Bristol County and settled in Bristol and Warren back in the county's whaling days. In the mid to late 1800s, many Italians settled in Barrington to work in its large brickyard.
   Our history is evident throughout the East Bay. The county is proud of its fine examples of period architecture and its many museums. Barrington Town Hall, a Tudor style building built in 1888 by stones donated by local farmers is one of many structures listed on the National Register of Historical Places. Bristol is home to the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology which houses archaeological and ethnological materials from North America and traditional art from around the world. Herreshoff Marine Museum & America's Cup Hall of Fame host a collection of yachts, engines, fittings, photographs and memorabilia of the unique accomplishments of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company and the golden age of yachting. Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum, a spectacular turn of the century mansion overlooking Narragansett Bay, has become a popular tourist attraction. Coggeshall Farm Museum, c. 1790, is a living historical 40-acre farm which features heirloom breeds of cattle, pigs, sheep, chickens and lush gardens and pastures. Linden Place, an 1810 Federal mansion and a collection of historically associated buildings ranging in date from 1750 - 1906 is located in the heart of downtown Bristol. Audubon Society of RI's nationally award winning Environmental Education Center, located on a 28-acre wildlife refuge, makes learning fun by inviting children to walk into a life-sized replica of a right whale, explore a tide-pool tank, and view other fascinating exhibits.
   Memorabilia from Warren's past can be found in the Fireman's Museum and The Charles W. Greene Museum. Maxwell House, built in the 1950s is home to the Warren Massasoit Historical Association. The museum of the Barrington Preservation Society is housed in Barrington's Community Center.
   The contrast of Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum in Bristol and the Peck Estate in Barrington to the numerous three story tenements distinctively shows our historic diversity.
   Today, the Peck Estate houses Zion Bible Institute, founded in 1924 by the late Christine A. Gibson. Zion currently offers one-year and three-year programs in Biblical studies.
   Located at the most southern end of the East Bay is Roger Williams University. This four-year University is known for its beautiful bayside campus. It is an independent co-educational university of liberal arts and selected professional programs accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. A continuing education division, with classes in Bristol and Providence, offers most degree programs to adult learners on a part-time basis, and academic credit is also available for life, work or military experience. Independent study programs are also offered through the continuing education division. A cooperative education program permits students to alternate a semester of classroom work with a semester of paid employment.
   In addition to Zion and Roger Williams University, several private elementary and secondary educational facilities are also located in the East Bay.
   Recreational opportunities abound in the East Bay. Considered the gem of Rhode Island's state parks, magnificent Colt State Park offers a splendid view of Narragansett Bay and is a favorite for boating, hiking, fishing, picnicking and bicycling. Public parks are common throughout our County and offer abundant opportunities to enjoy open, natural space and aquatic pleasures. Independence Park and Rockwell Park in Bristol have recently been improved to better serve area residents.
   For those with a lure toward competition, each town provides ample organized activities for all age groups. Rhode Island Country Club, a major recreational facility, has hosted several women's amateur championships as well as the CVS Classic. The Barrington and Bristol Yacht Clubs and Barrington YMCA also provide great recreational opportunities.
   Located in the East Bay is the East Bay Bicycle Path which provides walkers, joggers and bicyclists a beautiful 15-mile scenic route from Independence Park in Bristol to India Point Park in Providence. This path has gained national recognition as a unique and innovative facility.
   Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island's best-kept secret until recently, is a major source of fun and recreation. During the summer months the bay is continually speckled with boats of all sizes and descriptions. Sailboat racing is taken very seriously in the East Bay. Each year the bay hosts regattas and races of various classics of large and small vessels.
   For many, a day of recreation may be shopping in the East Bay's many fine stores and dining at one of our favorite restaurants. There are hundreds of stores to meet your every need. Barrington is known as a major shopping area with new shops and services businesses cropping up throughout the business district. Warren, once Bristol County's shopping hub, is emerging as an important antiquing center. Bristol's downtown, having undergone major revitalization, serves its residents and students from Roger Williams University well. Bristol has maintained its antiquity and typifies the small New England historic seaside community and features numerous shops and boutiques as well.
   Whether you are seeking basic necessities, fine quality gifts, or antiques, the East Bay has it all. Most businesses are family owned and operated. Here you can shop leisurely and enjoy personal and friendly service.
   It's not easy to go hungry in the East Bay. With over 60 restaurants located in the area, there is a wide selection of gastronomical delights such as seafood and ethnic dishes.
   These important business bases are augmented by a strong industrial base. Emerging in the past ten years as the major East Bay employer is the boatbuilding industry and numerous related trades. The East Bay has become one of the largest boatbuilding centers in the United States. Area companies employ well over 1,000 people and produce class and custom boats known throughout the world. Blount Shipyard has become one of the largest builders of cruise ships crafted after the well-known Bay Queen and American-Canadian Cruise liners.
   Significant growth has also occurred in the East Bay's service industries. Major employment is provided by area medical facilities, Roger Williams University, and the many small professional offices evident throughout the county. The East Bay has an outstanding mix of businesses to provide visitors and residents with all the basic necessities.
   In the past few years, tourism has become a major industry. Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum, the Bay Queen Cruises and American-Canadian Cruise Line cruises and the Bristol Fourth of July parade are well known nationwide. Linden Place also became a major asset to augment this strong tourism base.
   The East Bay has a wonderful mix of housing from small apartments, single-family homes, condominiums and palatial estates. Waterfront property has escalated in value over the years and provides a strong tax base within each community. Our 26 miles of coastline make the East Bay a truly unique and beautiful place to live.
   Growth and change have occurred and will continue to occur. Planning this growth is essential. The quality of life in the East Bay is our strongest asset and must be preserved. There is still much to accomplish here at home. To preserve the best that we have, to improve that which needs improvement, and to promote a strong economy must be the goals of those in East Bay leadership positions. Our heritage and culture is extraordinary, our potential is promising and our future holds many challenges that must be met in a proactive and intelligent way.
   The East Bay Chamber of Commerce's 600+ members continually invest in the county's future. These business leaders have pledged their time and talents to improving the business climate, fostering economic development and promoting our splendid resources.