Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Baltic community is relatively small due to the size of the state. However, there are a number of partnerships between Rhode Island and each Baltic state that demonstrate an interest in increased cooperation between the state and the Baltics. Lithuanians are the most established group, with roughly 3,500 residents today. Estonian and Latvian residents are fewer and have historically relied on larger hubs in Boston and New York. Even so, the state has a strong record of public recognition of the Baltics and growing interest in practical cooperation, especially with Estonia. 

Culture

Estonian and Latvian: Estonians in Rhode Island tend to participate in events with the Boston Estonian Society, occasionally hosting events such as an annual summer picnic in the state. Massachusetts and Connecticut hold the larger regional hubs for Latvian and Estonian diaspora organizations in New England, so those residing in Rhode Island have historically commuted to Boston or New York for major Baltic cultural events and regional diaspora networks. 

Lithuanian: Lithuanian history in Rhode Island started with their arrival in the twentieth century to work in the state’s factories and mills. Their community first shared a church with the polish Catholics, and during the Great Depression, members pooled savings to buy land and build St. Casimir’s as their own parish with the approval of the Rhode Island Bishop. Latvian language instruction was offered from the 1st to 8th grade. The community also built the Lithuanian citizens Beneficial Club and a memorial beside the church to honor those who died for Lithuanian freedom and Rhode Island residents killed in World War II. 

Both anchor institutions have since been lost. The church closed in 2017 and the club closed in 2020 during the pandemic. Local advocates have explored reusing the club building as a cultural space, and the proposal has been debated.

Rhode Island is unusual in making Lithuanian Independence Day (February 16) an official state observance under R.I. Gen. Laws § 25-2-28. The designation has its roots in advocacy by Lithuanian Rhode Islanders during the Soviet occupation, when they lobbied state legislators to keep Lithuania’s situation in the public eye. Local clergy have also held annual commemorations of the June 1941 Soviet deportations of Lithuanians, Latvians, and Estonians.

Economics

The Rhode Island Commerce Secretary Elizabeth Tanner recognized potential for the Rhode Island government to implement similar e-government systems as Estonia, which work in a similar way to cryptocurrency. This would increase government productivity in the state and make it easier to do business.