The Sentinel

The Sentinel

Subject (Topic)
Roger Williams Park--Rhode Island--Providence
South Elmwood--Neighborhoods--Rhode Island--Providence
Monuments--Rhode Island--Providence

Subject (Object)
Commemorative sculpture

The artist, Thomas F. Hoppin, modeled the statue of a dog in 1851. The bronze dog stands alert with head and tail raised and legs striding forward. A broken chain rests along its upper back and side. Hoppin modeled the dog after "Black Prince," a mastiff owned by the Williams Jenkins family of Providence. In November 1849, the dog alerted the family to a fire at the Jenkins property at Benefit and Johns Street. In June 1852, the surviving daughter, Anna Almy Jenkins, married Thomas F. Hoppin. The statue stood on the lawn of their mansion until 1896, when the Hoppin family donated it to Roger Williams Park.

Hoppin, Thomas F., 1816-1872
Gorham Manufacturing Company Founders

Photographs by Eric Sung, Professor, Providence College

1851

JPEG

English

Visual Arts-Sculpture

Roger Williams Park Zoo, 1000 Elwood Avenue, Providence, Rhode Island, 02907, United States

Signage with timeline at Roger Williams Park Zoo:
Robert Williams Park Zoo Through the Ages
The Sentinel

1849
A fire razes the mansion home of Anna Jenkins. According to legend, the family dog, a mastiff named "Black Prince", raises the alarm and saves Anna and her brother.

1851
The Sentinel is designed by Thomas F. Hoppin and cast in bronze by Gorham Manufacturing.

1852
Anna marries artist Thomas F. Hoppin. The Sentinel is placed on the lawn of their new home, built on the site of the former mansion.

1896
The Hoppin family donates The Sentinel to the City of Providence, and it is installed within Roger Williams Park.

1965
As the Park begins centralizing its animal collection, the statue is relocated within the Zoo grounds where it will side a few different locations over the years.

2022
A time capsule is buried beneath The Sentinel, to be opened July 4, 2072.

Can you spot…
• …the broken chains that are said to represent Black Prince breaking his leash to warn his family?
• …the artist's name?

Bronze

"Most Afflictive Calamity." Providence Journal, November 20, 1849.

"The Fire." Providence Journal, November 21, 1849.

"Died." Providence Journal, November 26, 1849.

"Lines: On the Death of Mrs. Jenkins and Her Daughter." Providence Journal, December 12, 1849.

"Mr. Hoppin’s Bronze Dog." Providence Journal, July 3, 1851.

"American Institute Gold Medal." Providence Journal, October 28, 1851.

"Married." Providence Journal, June 25, 1852.

"Lack of Records Veils Origin of Part Statues." Providence Journal, January 3, 1932.

"Ideas for the Amateur Photographer: Park Statues." Providence Journal, August 6, 1939.

"Hound of the Hoppins: The Sentinel in Roger Williams Park Is a Popular Subject for Photographers." Providence Journal, October 13, 1946.

Sanford, Jean. "Take a Walk in the Park." Providence Journal, June 15, 1975.

Breed, Donald D. "Focus on Design: And the Rest Is History. Office Architects Are at Home in Victorian Mansion." Providence Journal, May 6, 1984.

Camara, Christina. "Zoo Means Different Things to People: All of Them Nice." Providence Journal, May 28, 1985.

"Kid Stuff: Look Ma, a Green Bear! You Can See a Turk, a Poet, a Dog, A Statesman Any Time of the Year." Providence Journal, October 17, 1986.

Chiappinelli, S. Robert. "Park Statues Return After Major Facelifts, Reconstructions." Providence Journal, January 15, 1989.

"Photograph: No Bark, No Bite." Providence Journal, January 30, 1990.

Parker, Paul Edward. "In R.I., As in History, Our Taste Is Cast in Stone." Providence Journal, September 16, 1994.

Turgeon, Art. "Education Center Taking Shape at Zoo." Providence Journal, October 18, 1995.

"The Way We Were: These Photos of People at Rhode Island Landmarks Show That Some Things Never Change." Providence Journal, October 5, 1997.

"The Way We Were: Easter Has Always Been a Time for Breaking Out the Cameras and Snapping a Shot of the Family Dressed in Their Finest." Providence Journal, April 5, 1998.

"The Way We Were: Roger Williams Park Has Been a Favorite In-Town Getaway for Generations of Rhode Islanders, and Its Famous Dog Statue, The Sentinel, Has Been a Favorite Photo Spot for Kids for Just as Long." Providence Journal, September 12, 1999.

"The Way We Were: Roger Williams Park Has Been a Favorite In-Town Getaway for Generations of Rhode Islanders, Who Have Enjoyed Its Kids’ Rides, Flowers, Boats-for-Hire, and Statues." Providence Journal, September 19, 1999.

Van Siclen, Bill. "Art for All Outdoors. Three Walking Tours Take People to Rhode Island’s Art Al Fresco." Providence Journal, June 7, 2007.

Pina, Tatiana. "There’s a Story Behind Every Statue." Providence Journal. September 4, 2012.

"Pokeman Go: Hunting Charmanders Just Park of Zoo Safari: Make Sure to Hit All the PokeStops." Providence Journal. August 18, 2016.

Department of Art, Culture, Tourism, City of Providence