Newport’s yearlong commemoration of the 250th anniversary of American independence continues next week with a live concert of music from the Revolutionary era at one of the city’s most historic buildings.
The Newport Historical Society will host music historians David and Ginger Hildebrand on Friday, May 1, at 6 p.m. at The Colony House, the fourth-oldest statehouse still standing in the United States and a site tied to significant Revolutionary activity. The performers will appear in period attire and play patriotic songs typical of early America.
The Hildebrands have presented concerts and educational programs across the country and abroad since 1980, including at Mount Vernon, the National Archives and Colonial Williamsburg.
“America’s 250th birthday is a milestone event, and in Newport, we are seizing every opportunity possible to reflect upon, celebrate, and engage the community in this formative chapter of our shared history – and Newport’s outsized role in it,” said Rebecca Bertrand, executive director of the Newport Historical Society. “From book talks and living history experiences to walking tours and now live music, there is truly something for everyone in our semiquincentennial calendar.”
The concert adds to a broader slate of programming tied to the semiquincentennial. Ongoing and upcoming offerings include the Tavern Talks series, a new exhibition titled “OCCUPIED! Newport and the Fight for Independence,” the opening of the Edward W. Kane & Martha J. Wallace Center for Black History on Juneteenth and a first-ever Independence Week in July. Additional live music is planned as part of French in Newport on July 11, featuring the Kentish Guards.
Admission to Music of the American Revolution: The 250th Anniversary ranges from $10 to $20 per person. Space is limited, and organizers encourage guests to buy tickets in advance.
More information about Newport’s role in the American Revolution and the city’s semiquincentennial events is available at www.NewportHistory.org/250.
Founded in 1854, the Newport Historical Society is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the history of Newport County through its six properties, collections, tours, educational programs, a museum and a library.
