In 1914, not long after her immigrant husband Michael died, Theresa (O’Day) Lynch (my great-grandmother) lived here, on a small lane on the West Side of Providence. Manhattan-born Theresa resided on this thin backstreet for ten years (1905-15) at four different addresses, but this is the only house that remains. She was a 47 years old widow with five kids, including a two year old. The oldest, my grandfather, had left school at 16 to help support the family by working in a jewelry manufacturing job. His brother, 15, probably did the same.
This neighborhood is slowly gentrifying now, with a complete social, economic, and ethnic mix, varying from block to block, or even house to house. As I drew this tired old structure, a neighbor pulled out of her garage in a nice new car and, lowering her window, asked what I was up to. It turns out, she too, taught at Rhode Island School of Design. I know a number of artists and designers in this area. After sketching, I went two blocks for a burrito at a local stand, which sits behind a high chain link fence covered with big colorful posters of Mexican meals. I was the only English speaker in the place.
Visiting the Relatives 