Wednesday, May 7, 5:30 p.m.

Library Talk: Bringing the War Home: Stereoscopic Views of Conflict from the 19th Century

Rhode Island Historical Society Executive Director Bernard Fishman completes his series of illustrated talks, using stereoviews from his own collection, with a presentation on the imagery of war as seen through the popular stereoscopic format. From the Crimean War of the 1850s through the Spanish-American War at the end of the century, and including views of the American Civil War and the Franco-Prussian War, we will see what Americans of those times saw of these conflicts through their parlor stereoscopes. This illustrated talk will last about an hour.

Thursday, May 15, 6:30 p.m.
Gallery Night
If These Walls Could Talk… The John Brown House in Their Absence

Tonight, experience a truly artistic Gallery Night at the John Brown House Museum. Katherine Mangiardi, a Masters of Fine Arts candidate at RISD, has been working on pieces relating to both the space and history of the house. Her work is homage to the women, specifically Abigail Brown, affiliated with the Brown family in the late 18th century. Mangiardi explains that her “work brings a feeling of an intense female life to the upstairs bedroom of the John Brown House, where Abigail’s wedding reception was held in 1788. Various excerpts from women’s letters about Abigail and Abigail’s own diary are juxtaposed with different pieces to create a feeling of feminine introspection and quiet grace. My own history attempts to fill in the blanks where voids in information about these women exist. I invite the viewer to do the same.”

The doors of the RIHS Library will be open to one and all for a look at our newly painted Reading Room and lobby. Take the opportunity to browse the Library’s broad range of materials reflecting the people and history of Rhode Island. The Library is open for research Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the second Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In April 1861, when he was19, Elisha Hunt Rhodes enlisted in the newly-formed 2^nd Regiment of Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry raised to fight the Confederate Army. In the course of the war, Rhodes was promoted from Corporal to Colonel and fought with the 2^nd Rhode Island in major battles from Bull Run to Gettysburg . Throughout the war, he kept a diary which was published by his great- grandson, Robert Hunt Rhodes. This small exhibition celebrates his life during and after the Civil War, when he was a well-known and beloved figure in Rhode Island . Mark Dunkelman, author of War’s Relentless Hand: Twelve Tales of Civil War Soldiers, will speak at the opening.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the lecture begins at 6:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Thursday, June 19, 6:30 p.m.
Gallery Night

If These Walls Could Talk… Providence’s own Yankee Doodle Dandy
Tonight’s lecture will feature music scholar Michael Fink to speak about the life and works of Providence native George M. Cohan, the original Yankee Doodle Dandy. Dr. Fink is a retired full professor of Musicology at the University of Texas at San Antonio and is currently a professor of English at RISD. He will talk about Cohan’s connections to Wickenden Street, his place in musical history, and the film Yankee Doodle Dandy. Also, on Saturday, June 28 and Saturday, July 5, the scheduled 11:00 a.m. walking tours will be patriotic strolls through Providence’s Fox Point neighborhood, focusing on Cohan and the history of 4th of July celebrations in the city, and don’t forget The American Band will be kicking off this year’s Concerts Under the Elms on Thursday, June 26 with some pieces of rousing American music.

Ongoing through Sunday, June 1

Exhibition: “Along the Atlantic Seaboard”

Starting April 6, the Museum of Work & Culture’s changing gallery will showcase Robert Godin’s photography exhibit entitled “Along the Atlantic Seaboard,” which will feature idyllic views of familiar coastal scenes from New Jersey to Prince Edward Island. Godin is a freelance photographer, born in Woonsocket, and now resides in Simsbury, Connecticut.

John Brown House Museum

Winter Hours:

Friday January 4 through Saturday March 30

Fridays and Saturdays only:

Tours at 10:30, 12:00, 1:30 and 3:00

When was the last time you visited the John Brown House Museum? If you haven't seen the house this spring, you're missing exciting changes and new displays! Come visit for a regularly scheduled tour or schedule a group or school tour by calling Dan Santos at (401) 273-7507 x60 or email dsantos@rihs.org.