The 72nd annual reading of George Washington’s historic letter “To the Hebrew Congregation at Newport” will take place on Sunday, August 18th, 2019 at Touro Synagogue. The event is scheduled from 1 pm to 2 pm. The letter, which honors American’s precious freedoms and religious tolerance, continues to be lauded and commemorated as possibly having […]
History
Posted inHistory, Things To Do
Life During the Burning of HMS Liberty: Newport’s Old Quarter will come to life on August 24th
Newport’s Old Quarter comes to life on Saturday, August 24, 2019 from noon-5pm, during the Newport Historical Society’s 6th annual summer living history program,Life During the Burning of HMS Liberty. The summer of 2019 marks the 250th anniversary of the burning of HMS Liberty, John Hancock’s sloop that was seized by the Royal Navy in 1768. […]
Posted inHistory, News
Preservation Society awarded $50,000 National Preservation Grant, will help preserve God’s Little Acre
The Preservation Society of Newport County announced today that they have received a $50,000 grant from the National Trust of Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund. The Preservation Society says that the grant will assist efforts to preserve Newport’s God’s Little Acre, a nationally significant burial ground, in collaboration with the City of […]
Posted inHistory, Things To Do
First Freedom Open House: 12 of Newport’s historic houses of worship will open for free tours on July 4th
More than a dozen historic houses of worship will open up their doors on Thursday, July 4th for the First Freedom Open House. During the open house, participants will be able to learn how the building or congregation symbolize Newport’s commitment to freedom of religion and religious diversity. Channing Memorial Unitarian Church135 Pelham Streetwww.channingchurch.orgOpen 10:00 […]
Posted inHistory, Things To Do
Artillery Company of Newport: A 4th of July tradition
by Daniel J. Cormier | Senior Private, Newport Artillery Company In the early morning hours of July fourth, while most of us will still be sleeping, citizen-volunteers of the Artillery Company of Newport (ACN) will begin arriving to celebrate our nation’s founding. They will assemble at a stone and mortar building that is wedged between […]
Posted inArts & Culture, History, Things To Do
City of Newport invites public to take a Guided Tour of Newport’s Common Burying Ground this Summer
via City of Newport The history of one of Newport’s most notable public sites will come into focus this summer as members of the City’s Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission volunteer to provide guided tours of Newport’s Common Burying Ground. The tours, which kick off on Saturday June 29th, will take place through August departing at 10 […]
Posted inHistory
Newport Firsts: Engineering history was made during construction of Newport Pell Bridge with a series of firsts
The Newport Pell Bridge will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Friday, June 28th, 2019. With the celebration just days away, as well as our love for sharing history and fun facts, we turned to Brian Stinson, author of Newport Firsts: A Hundred Claims To Fame, for a look back at this moment in Newport history. NEWPORT […]
Posted inHistory, News
Museum of Newport Irish History Interpretive Center opens for 2019 season on Friday
The Museum of Newport Irish History Interpretive Center has announced that they will open for the 2019 Season on Friday, May 24 at 12 pm. Regular seasonal hours will be Thursday through Sunday, noon to 5:00 pm, through Sunday, October 27. Group and private visits at other times may be arranged by appointment. The Center […]
Posted inArts & Culture, History, News
Newport Architectural Symposium will focus on “The Architecture and History of Newport’s Point Neighborhood” on May 25th
Newport is an extraordinary treasure trove of historic architecture spanning from the early days of Colonial settlement of New England and continuing up until the present day. Ten years ago, to help celebrate the amazing breadth and depth of architecture available for visitation here the Newport Architectural Forum in conjunction with the International Tennis Hall […]
Posted inHistory
Newport Firsts: 2019 marks 120th anniversary of first automobile parade in the U.S.
This summer marks the 120th anniversary of the first parade of horseless carriages in the United States, which took place on September 7, 1899 in Newport. With that in mind, as well as the wide array of automobile events and happenings happening in Newport, we turned to Brian Stinson, author of Newport Firsts: A Hundred Claims […]
Posted inArts & Culture, History, News
Alliance Francaise to celebrate Rochambeau Monument completion and 75th Anniversary of D-Day
The Alliance Française of Newport will celebrate the completion of the Restoration of The Rochambeau Monument on Thursday, June 6, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. at King Park. AFN will also be celebrating the special bond between the people of France and The United States over the centuries on this day, the 75th Anniversary of D-Day. […]
Posted inHistory, Things To Do
Newport Historical Society to host lecture with public historian Robert A. Geake
Join the Newport Historical Society for a lecture From Saints to Bootleggers: The Struggle for Temperance and Prohibition in Rhode Island with public historian, Robert A. Geake at the Newport Historical Society Resource Center, 82 Touro Street, Newport RI on Thursday, April 11, 2019 at 5:30 pm. This lecture will illustrate the observations and experiences of […]
Posted inHistory
North Wall at Fort Adams undergoing quarter million dollar restoration
Fort Adams Trust has announced that the North Wall at Fort Adams is undergoing a quarter million dollar restoration process to preserve it from the elements. Led by Gnazzo Construction, crews on sky lifts and scaffolding are cleaning and mortaring stone joints on the top of the wall and installing a Helifix crack stitching system […]
Posted inArts & Culture, History, Things To Do
Newport Historical Society Walking Tours start April 1st
Join the Newport Historical Society on a Walking Tour of downtown Newport, RI starting April 1, 2019 through May Friday-Monday. Purchase tickets online at NewportHistoryTours.org or call 401-841-8770. $15 per person, $10 Newport Historical Society members, active duty and retired military with ID; $5 for children ages 5-12. Tours depart at 10:30am from the Museum […]
Posted inHistory, Things To Do
Black History Exhibit & Reception opens on March 29th at St. George’s
St. George’s School has announced that they have launched the “Beloved Community Initiative,” an educational program comprised of events focused on the history and legacy of race and slavery in the United States and Rhode Island. Before the American Revolution, Newport was the largest and most active slave port in British North America. “The Beloved […]
Posted inHistory
Archi-Text: The role of Broadway and Washington Square in the traditional life of Newport
This past weekend more than 10,000 residents and tourists descended upon Washington Square and the Broadway district for the third annual Broadway Street Fair. Merchants set up stands, musicians performed at a series of stages, and food vendors and restaurants fed the hungry and thirsty throngs of people. This is very appropriate because, since Newport’s […]
Posted inHistory
George Wein, the father of outdoor music festivals, turns 93
George Wein, the iconic producer of the Newport Folk Festival and Newport Jazz Festival, was born on October 3rd, 1925, meaning he turns 93 years young today. George Wein is considered to be as much a legend as his festivals. Through his company, Festival Productions, he has spearheaded hundreds of music events since 1954 when he […]
Posted inHistory
MLK’s vision matters today for the 43 million Americans living in poverty
This article was originally published on The Conversation, it has been republished with permission. On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, while fighting for a 10-cent wage increase for garbage workers. These efforts by King were part of a broader and more sustained initiative known as the Poor People’s Campaign. King was working […]
Posted inHistory
Newport County Branch of NAACP to commemorate 50th Anniversary of MLK’s assassination
NAACP, Newport County Branch is hosting a Commemoration Ceremony on the 50th Anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center in Newport on April 4. Branch members will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Branch office at 72 E Dr. Marcus F. […]
Posted inHistory
10 things to know about the real St. Patrick
Lisa Bitel, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences On March 17, people around the world will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by parading in green hats, sporting images of shamrocks and leprechauns – tiny, grinning, fairy men – pinned to their lapels. Patrick’s picture will adorn greeting cards: an aged, bearded bishop in flowing […]
Posted inArts & Culture, History, Things To Do
Meet an 18th Century Doctor: Newport Historical Society to host a living history talk with Dr. Hunter
Newport is a city known for firsts. Between 1755-1756 the first anatomical and surgical lectures in the Colonies were presented by Dr. William Hunter at the Colony House. On Thursday, February 15, 2018, at 5:30 pm, the Newport Historical Society will recreate aspects of Dr. Hunter’s talk when they host an 18th-century medical lecture. Dr. Hunter, […]
Posted inHistory
Podcast: A conversation with Ruth Taylor, Executive Director of Newport Historical Society
Since 1854, the Newport Historical Society has collected and preserved five centuries of history and continues to document Newport’s unique contribution to our national narrative. Ruth Taylor, Executive Director of Newport Historical Society, joined me on What’sUpNewp Radio Edition on AM 1540 WADK today to chat about all that’s happening, new and to do with the multi-faceted history-based […]
Posted inArts & Culture, History, Things To Do
Holiday Happenings for the Newport Historical Society’s Museum of Newport History Shop
The Newport Historical Society announces the opening of its webstore www.shopnewporthistory.com which launched November 3, 2017, upcoming holiday happenings, and its participation in the first annual international Museum Store Sunday on November 26, 2017. Online Store The Newport Historical Society is excited to offer patrons all over the world an opportunity to purchase unique and inspired gifts, while supporting the […]
Posted inArts & Culture, History
Replica of Volume of Newport’s African Union Society Records Produced
The Newport Historical Society has announced that they have worked with local bookbinder James Currier to produce a replica of a volume of 18th-century records from Newport’s African Union Society. The African Union Society (AUS) was formed in 1780 by free African Americans seeking to create a mutual aid organization to benefit its members, according […]
Posted inArts & Culture, History, Things To Do
‘Encountering Wonders’ exhibition to feature natural and virtual galleries of curious Newport artifacts
A collection of historic and curious Newport artifacts displayed in both natural and virtual environments will be featured in a public exhibition at Salve Regina’s Dorrance Hamilton Gallery from Nov. 9-21. The multi-media exhibition, “Encountering Wonders: A Virtual Cabinet of Curiosities from Newport Collections,” will open with a public reception from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 9 at the gallery, […]