Wait, is our logo embroiled in a controversy?

As you know from a previous post, the Rhode Island state bird, the Rhode Island Red chicken has a proud history. And, it is the centerpiece of our WordCamp RI logo.

Rhode Island Red monument in Little Compton Rhode Island, courtesy Wikipedia Commons

The contributions of this bird to the state’s farming industry was such that many people thought it fitting to have a plaque erected to honor the prestigious poultry.  It was first bred in Little Compton and so in 1925 the Rhode Island Red Club put up a monument in an area of Little Compton known as Adamsville. This plaque is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (That’s right!  The National Register of Historic Places.  “Not for nothing,” this chicken is a big deal in the state’s history!) 

You might think this very fitting and outside the possibility of controversy. However, controversy did indeed erupt.

The issue: was the chicken developed in Adamsville?  No.

Well then why was the plaque put up there? Reportedly because a landowner in Adamsville was willing to donate the land for the monument. This location did not sit well with some of the purists, who felt that a plaque should go up near the actual farm that developed the Rhode Island Red.

So, in 1954 (the same year Rhode Island voted on an official state bird) another plaque went up near the farm where the famous chicken was developed, on Long Highway.

To this day both plaques publicly co-exist on the side of (two) roads in Little Compton and you can view them whenever you wish.

Let’s give this a little bit of context: Little Compton has no traffic lights; it only has one gas station, but it has two Rhode Island Red commemorative plaques!

After touring the rooster monuments, be sure to come to New England Tech in East Greenwich on September 25 and 26 and attend WordCamp RI!