The Fantastic Umbrella Factory by Ellen Pratte ’77

Ellen Pratte ’77 shot this photo at the Fantastic Umbrella Factory in Charlestown, R.I., which, as Pratte says, is “much-loved by URI students.” It is 20 minutes from URI’s Kingston Campus and is a fun retail spot with beautiful gardens, lots of chickens roaming freely, and even an emu.

After completing her bachelor’s degree in psychology at URI, Pratte received a master’s degree in clinical psychology from UMass Dartmouth and worked for most of her career as a case worker for the state of Massachusetts in the field of mental health. For the last decade, she has been pursuing photography and has participated in many juried gallery shows.

Pratte, who lives in Portsmouth, R.I., says, “I visit the Fantastic Umbrella Factory every summer. It maintains its hippie vibe with its beautiful gardens and rustic buildings where you can buy blown glass, jewelry, clothes, penny candy, etc.”

Calling All Alumni Photographers

Share your photos with your classmates and fellow Rhody alumni in URI Magazine. Send photos, along with background (the story behind the photo), to urimag@uri.edu and we will consider all submissions for publication in future issues of URI Magazine.