The Newport Historical Society’s yearlong celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence reaches its peak in July with a first-ever Independence Week, capped by a French in Newport living history experience that will draw the Ambassador of France to the United States.
Beginning July 3, Independence Week features free events and public programs highlighting Newport’s role in the American Revolution. The week culminates in French in Newport, the society’s annual living history experience, which is bigger than ever this year and will be attended by Ambassador Laurent Bili. The ambassador will speak at a 10 a.m. wreath-laying ceremony on July 11 that also features the French Military Band.
“Independence Week is the culmination of an extraordinary effort to bring colonial Newport to life, celebrating the people, places, and events that ignited the spark of the American Revolution,” said Executive Director Rebecca Bertrand. “From our kickoff Two Lights for Liberty event to the much-awaited semiquincentennial treatment for French in Newport, our work to commemorate America250 has made this chapter of history — and Newport’s important role in it — more accessible, engaging, and relevant than ever before.”
The week is book-ended by two annual events: the reading of the Declaration of Independence on the steps of the Colony House on July 4 by the Sons of the Revolution, and the French in Newport experience on July 11, hosted in collaboration with the National Park Service’s Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail. At the July 11 event, 6,000 French flags will be on display in King Park, representing the Franco-American alliance that helped turn the tide of the war in favor of the patriots.
The July 11 wreath-laying ceremony at King Park, in partnership with Alliance Française de Newport, will be followed by a second ceremony with the American Society of Le Souvenir Français at Trinity Church at noon. The French Military Band will perform at the beginning and end of the day’s programs, and the Kentish Guards Fife & Drum Corps will perform every hour beginning at 11:30 a.m. The living history program begins at 11 a.m. and, as last year, will feature reenactments, live music and free family activities exploring the role of French soldiers and sailors who fought for American independence. Last year’s event drew more than 2,200 people.
In between the book-end events, the society will offer six days of additional programming covering Newport’s place in the early days of America. Highlights include RI250 Night with the Newport Gulls at Cardines Field on July 3; the Fourth of July celebration and Declaration reading on July 4; Veterans’ Appreciation Day on July 5, held with the Fort Adams Trust and Newport VFW Post 406; History for Kids on July 6; an open house at Newport’s historic houses of worship on July 7; a public viewing of Rhode Island’s copy of the Declaration of Independence on July 8; an exploration of Newport’s cemeteries on July 9; and a panel on careers in historic preservation on July 10. Each day, the society will also offer an extended walking tour schedule.
Founded in 1854, the Newport Historical Society is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the history of Newport County. More information about Independence Week is available at NewportHistory.org/250.
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