Esek Hopkins was born on April 26, 1718 in Scituate to a prominent Rhode Island family. Hopkins became a merchant and sea captain and in 1764, was in command of the slave ship Sally, known for a disastrous 15-month voyage that resulted in the death of 109 out of 196 slaves on board. The tragedy […]
History
Posted inArts & Culture
Just My Opinion: Rhode Island’s Nathaniel Greene among those buried in Savannah’s historic cemeteries
While planning a trip to Savannah, Georgia to visit my daughter, Ryan Belmore, WUN publisher, and I mused about possible Rhode Island/Savannah connections. None readily came to mind. But they are there. In the historic cemeteries. artists and soldiers, young children and others buried and remembered. Their stories are told on markers near burial vaults, […]
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Newport Artillery Company celebrates 284 years of service
The Artillery Company of Newport marked its 284th birthday with a celebratory dinner at its Clarke Street armory in Newport on March 29, 2025. Congressman Gabe Amo addresses the gathering as the guest speaker, with over 44 Artillery Company members, their families, and guests in attendance. During his speech, Amo highlights the unique historical significance […]
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Charles L. Roberts: Black women continue to make history in Rhode Island
Rhode Island Slave History Medallions (RISHM) continues its mission of marking the landscape by telling the untold stories of real-life Africans, African Americans and Indigenous people who walked our streets, honed their skills and crafts, raised their families, and tilled our verdant land during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, right here in Rhode Island. […]
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What’s Up Newp celebrates Women’s History Month: Meet golfer Glenna Collett-Vare
We’re celebrating some extraordinary women during March, National Women’s History Month, individuals who have made their mark from the sports field to politics and government, from the courtroom to the board room. We’ll be introducing our readers to some individuals they may not know, and others they do. What they all have in common is […]
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Charles L. Roberts: Let me introduce you to a few Black women trailblazers who helped shape the future of Rhode Island
The legacies of the Black men and women who shaped our nation, as well as our own cities and towns, should always be celebrated, and never forgotten. This is why I am thrilled to share the voices and legacies of these exceptional Rhode Island women this month. “The Hair Doctress” Christiana Carteaux Bannister, or Madame […]
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Women’s History Month: Meet Miss Johnson and Miss Wales
Many women have played prominent roles in Rhode Island education, from teaching to founding what has now become a prominent university with campuses in Providence and North Carolina. As WUN celebrates National Women’s History Month, we’ll introduce several women who have played significant roles in our area, from the sports field to politics and government, […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island officials commemorate the First Rhode Island Regiment
Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore, Chair of the RI250 Commission, was joined by Governor Dan McKee, Speaker of the House K. Joseph Shekarchi, Senator Walter S. Felag, Jr., Executive Director of the Tomaquag Museum Lorén Spears, historian and author of From Slaves to Soldiers Bob Geake, Founder and Executive Director of Rhode Island Slave History Medallions […]
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Charles L. Roberts: In 1769, Newport was the rum capital of the world and the epicenter of the Triangle Trade
Most students of Black History are familiar with the “Triangle Trade.” This term refers to the 17th and 18th century transatlantic trading route, involving Africa, the Caribbean, and British North America. Sugar cane was grown and processed in the Caribbean islands. The molasses from this processing was then shipped to Rhode Island and was the […]
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Today In Newport History (Feb. 22, 1994): ‘True Lies’ Filmed in Newport
True Lies, the 1994 American action comedy film written and directed by James Cameron, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Arnold, Art Malik, Tia Carrere, Bill Paxton, Eliza Dushku, Grant Heslov and Charlton Heston, was in the midst of filming in Newport, RI in February of 1994. Of the many locations that were used […]
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Black History Month Newport: Places of Worship
Special to What’s Up Newp | The following was written by Keith Stokes. This story was originally published on Feb. 9, 2020. Persons of African heritage have lived, worked and worshiped in Newport since the mid-17th Century. Established as a major slave port, Newport would have one of the largest populations of enslaved and free […]
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Black History Month: The origins of Newport’s African Heritage Tennis Club
By Keith Stokes, special to What’s Up Newp. Originally published on Feb. 18, 2021 “If there was a watering-place in America where respectable, refined, and well-bearing-colored ladies and gentlemen have as little reason to feel their color as in Newport.” – Colored American Newspaper, 1886 Newport is internationally recognized for its Colonial Era structures, Gilded […]
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Black History Month: African Heritage Entrepreneurs in Gilded Age Newport – Andrew J. Tabb
Special to What’s Up Newp | The following was written by Keith Stokes, Vice President of the 1696 Heritage Group. This story was originally published on Feb. 1, 2021. While Newport is internationally recognized for its Colonial Era buildings, Gilded Age mansions, historic landscapes, and rich maritime history, few would know that Newport through the centuries […]
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Black History Month – Dr. Harriet Alleyne Rice: A native Newport Black History heroine that is largely unknown in the city of her birth
The following was written for What’s Up Newp by Keith Stokes, Vice President of the 1696 Heritage Group. This story was originally published on Feb. 11 ,2021. A native Newport Black History heroine that is largely unknown in the city of her birth. Harriet Alleyne Rice was born to George and Lucinda Rice in 1866 in […]
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Legislators honor Black Revolutionary War soldiers of the 1st R.I. Regiment
In honor of Black History Month, Rhode Island Senate and House of Representatives this week recognized the contribution of the Black soldiers of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment who helped the nation win the Revolutionary War. The Senate and House on Tuesday passed resolutions (2025-S 0224, 2025-H 5411) introduced by Sen. Linda Ujifusa and Rep. Jennifer A. […]
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Black History Month Newport: A look at 19th century black-owned businesses, business owners
February is Black History Month, also known as African American History Month, an annual time to celebrate the achievements, and a time for recognizing the central role, of African Americans in U.S. history. During the month of February, What’s Up Newp is using our platform to highlight and recognize the achievements by local African Americans. Keith […]
Posted inHistory
Black History Month – People, Places & Events: Remembering a group of 19th and 20th Century African Heritage Leaders in Newport
February is Black History Month, also known as African American History Month, an annual time to celebrate the achievements, and a time for recognizing the central role, of African Americans in U.S. history. During the month of February, What’s Up Newp plans to use our platform to highlight and recognize the achievements by local African Americans. […]
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Bob Cembrola: Matthew Calbraith Perry’s legacy extends far beyond Naval innovation
If the Perrys of Newport had been professional wrestlers, they would have been the tag team champs of the 19th century. It is difficult to imagine a more impactful brother act than Oliver Hazard and his younger brother Matthew Calbraith. Both achieved great fame in their lifetimes, but Mathew got to enjoy quite a bit […]
Posted inHistory, News
Bob Cembrola: Portsmouth’s Lovell General Hospital played a large role in the Civil War
Although no Civil War battles took place in Rhode Island, a hospital in Portsmouth, Rhode Island played a large role in caring for wounded on both sides of the conflict. In an area now known as the Melville Marina District, this hospital sat on ground that has seen numerous significant events in the last three […]
Posted inArts & Culture
On a quest to revive Parkgate
The Parkgate Restoration Association (PRA) is asking for the community’s help. The nonprofit, established in 2022, is working to restore the Parkgate Estate, perhaps more commonly known as the Newport Elks Lodge, “to its former Gilded Age Glory,” Caroline Caswell says, treasurer of the association. Since its establishment, the organization has raised over $100,000 and […]
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Charles L. Roberts: Marking the landscape is key to understanding our collective history
When we talk about marking the landscape as an act of remembrance, we are referring to walking in the footsteps of the people and events that happened in that specific location decades, centuries, and in some cases, millennials, before us; exactly in the places our ancestors once stood, fought, and often died for our right […]
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Bob Cembrola: Discovery of British frigates and the University of Rhode Island
After years of oppressive British policies which stifled commerce in Narragansett Bay and surrounding communities, the Colony of R.I. and Providence Plantations renounced allegiance to the Crown on May 4, 1776: “Whereas George the third, forgetting his dignity, instead of protecting, is endeavoring to destroy the good people of this colony by sending fleets and […]
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What’s Up Interview: Historian Tim Walker, speaking at the Newport Historical Society February 6
The Underground Railroad is among the most remarkable escape stories in history, a fundamental lesson for all Americans. We revere figures like Harriet Tubman, who risked her repeatedly to lead the enslaved to freedom. However, a common misconception persists regarding the route used by those seeking escape – that the Underground Railroad was primarily a […]
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URI alumna Rose Butler Browne inspires students in namesake class
Story by Kristen Curry, Public Information Specialist at URI Communications. This story originally appeared here. The University of Rhode Island will offer its annual class named for alumna Rose Butler Browne, beginning this year on Thursday, Jan. 23. The course celebrates the legacy of Browne, who saw education as key for students to move themselves […]
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On This Day – Dec. 10, 1905: U.S. Naval Torpedo Station on Goat Island receives transmission of the first distress signal in U.S.
Wireless radio was a major breakthrough in communications technology. To send or transmit by wireless telegraphy, electromagnetic waves are used to send and receive information in the form of Morse code messages. Guglielmo Marconi (1847-1937) did not invent the wireless, but he applied certain improvements to the existing devices through experimentation and made the systems […]