Helen Adelia Rowe Metcalf

Biography

Helen Adelia Rowe Metcalf (1830–1895) was a visionary patron of the arts whose founding of the Rhode Island School of Design created a lasting bridge between craftsmanship and industrial innovation. She believed education in the arts could empower individuals and enrich a community’s cultural life.

Her devotion to accessible, applied arts education has inspired countless students, and her spirit is honored at Swan Point Cemetery where she rests among fellow advocates of creativity and learning.