Strolling through downtown Providence

The weather being sunny this past Thursday I walked downtown for some fresh air and exercise. Euphemistically referred to as "downcity" (there is no "upcity"), I walked from our condo on Westminster Street to the RISD Museum entrance on South Water Street. As I was walking across the city's central bus stop on Exchange Plaza (also known as Kennedy Plaza), I quickly skirted those individuals who had their hands deep into their pants scratching themselves or who were wandering in concentric circles babbling about Armageddon.

But right across from the numerous queues of people waiting for their bus is the Federal Building and Court House. Although described as "beaux arts" style, the building itself looks pedestrian, and if it were not for the two groups of statues facing the plaza, it would be devoid of any character at all.

Designed by J. Massey Rhind of New York, the first group, on the left, represents "Providence as Independent Thought," flanked by "Industry and Education."

The second group, on the right, also designed by Massey, represents "the Nation as Sovereign Power," flanked by "Justice, and Law and Order."