Armenians who fled the Hamidian massacres and the 1915 Genocide typically arrived in Rhode Island alone, often having witnessed the horrific deaths of their family members. They were separated and dispersed as individual survivors with both physical and psychological scars. They lost everything, from parents, spouses, siblings and even their own children. They came with no worldly possessions and only their native language. Initially single men arrived first, found work, and then sought wives.

For a period of time, the City of Providence was called the 'Citadel' by neighboring Armenians. The "Mitchnapert" (citadel in Armenian) as it was known. became a central meeting location in New England for Armenian national meetings. It gained distinction and fame from Boston to Philadelphia with Armenian newspaper correspondents reporting back political news and events.

The second wave of immigration was the largest group. Before 1924, many Armenian families and family members arrived in the US; in 1924 immigration regulations changed and immigration became more restrictive. During this period, Armenians who settled in Rhode Island made the largest and most signiticant impact. It is also from this generation that the Armenian immigrant settlements in Providence were initially established.

Official statistics show that by 1932 around 6400 Armenians had arrived in Rhode Island. Most of them were settled in Providence, in such areas as the North End, West End, Olneyville and, especially, Smith Hill. Other major settlements were in Pawtucket and Woonsocket.

The "Armenian Radio Hour started broadcasting in 1947. Russell Gasparian, radio host, producer ano entrepreneur, reported local and International Armenian news to Rhode Islanders.

A new wave of Armenian immigration to US and particularly to Rhode Island started in the second half of 1970s and in 1980s. Political crises and conflicts in the Middle East forced many Armenian families to find haven in the United States. Lebanese, Iranian and Iraqi Armenians brought new culture and values for the old and already Americanized local Armenian community. After the collapse of the soviet Union, many former Soviet Armenians, especially those who became refugees after the Armenian pogroms in Azerbaijan, settled in the Rhode Island.

In 1976 Rhode Islanders celebrated the bicentennial of the United States. An Armenian Bi-Centennial committee was organized and chaired by Harry Kizirian. The festival was celebrated inside the spacious "Warwick Mall" with art and cultural exhibits.

The community actively involved in providing humanitarian relief to the Armenian regions affected by the disastrous earthquake In December 1988.