RIHS Celebrates Educators with 4th Annual Teacher Appreciation Week
Join Rhode Island Historical Society for a full schedule of programming for its fourth annual Teacher Appreciation Week, taking place … Continue reading RIHS Celebrates Educators with 4th Annual Teacher Appreciation Week
Valley Talks: Civil War in 1864
Valley Talks, a series of free historical lectures, continues on Sunday, March 10, 1:30pm, at the Museum of Work & … Continue reading Valley Talks: Civil War in 1864
Resources on RI African American History Now on RIDE Website!
Having trouble finding resources on Rhode Island’s African American history for Black History Month? Look no further. Thanks to the … Continue reading Resources on RI African American History Now on RIDE Website!
Rogue Island
Smuggling in Colonial Rhode Island and the Gaspee Affair On June 9, 1772 the British customs schooner Gaspee ran aground … Continue reading Rogue Island
Heritage Harbor Foundation Awards Grant to RIHS for Trusted Digital Repository
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Jan. 31, 2019) – The Rhode Island Historical Society announced that it has received a $7,000 grant from … Continue reading Heritage Harbor Foundation Awards Grant to RIHS for Trusted Digital Repository
Valley Talks Series Continues With Jon Henson on 19th-Century Baseball
Baseball enthusiast and vintage ballist Jon Henson will present “’The Outward and Visible Expression’: A Brief History of Baseball in the 19th Century” on Sunday, Feb. 10, 1:30pm, at the Museum of Work & Culture.
Chuck Arning on the Irish in the Blackstone Valley
The Museum of Work & Culture will offer the second installment installment of our free Valley Talks series on Sunday, … Continue reading Chuck Arning on the Irish in the Blackstone Valley
RI African Heritage Civil Rights History Exhibit Opening, Teacher Workshop
The RIHS, Rhode Island Black Heritage Society, and Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission invite you to an exhibit opening and panel discussion on Wednesday, February 13, 6pm, at Aldrich House.
Free Lecture Series Launches at Museum of Work & Culture on January 13
Valley Talks, a series of biweekly historical lectures, will take place on alternating Sundays, 1:30pm, at the Museum of Work & Culture. Free with limited seating.
RIHS to Celebrate Holidays With Open House, Santa’s Workshop at MoWC
The Rhode Island Historical Society invites the community to visit the Museum of Work & Culture on Saturday, Dec. 1, 1-5pm, for the organization’s annual Holiday Open House, offered as part of Woonsocket’s Main Street Holiday Stroll. The day will feature a variety of holiday-themed activities for adults and families alik
R.I. Historical Society Names Becca Bender as Film Archivist
After an extensive national search, the Rhode Island Historical Society has announced the appointment of Becca Bender as Film Archivist & Curator of Recorded Media, a new position that will advance the RIHS’s mission to promote and preserve its collection of more than 9 million feet of moving image film and well over 2,000 sound recordings, from oral history projects to jazz performances.
RIHS Receives IMLS Grant for Staff and Volunteer Professional Development
The Institute for Museum and Library Services announced a Museums Empowered award of $22,306 to the Rhode Island Historical Society for the purposes of training staff and volunteers across the organization to better develop, frame, interpret, and tell the histories of those who have been traditionally overlooked, marginalized, or silenced.
RIHS Welcomes Smithsonian Gardens’ Collections Manager for Goff Lecture
Since the time of the “founding gardeners,” gardeners and gardens have played an important role in shaping American culture. At the RIHS’s 2018 Newell D. Goff Lecture, attendees will discover how Smithsonian Gardens is conserving American garden history.
Volunteers Needed for Historical Tours for Children
As part of the RIHS’s Field Trip Free for All program, more than 750 school children come to Providence annually to take part in our Avi Walks – historical walking tours that use the book Something Upstairs to educate students on local history and the slave trade. With the goal of expanding the program, increasing visitation, and reaching more children, we’re looking for new volunteers!
Few Dining in the Dark Tickets Remain – 9/17 Deadline!
On September 21, explore the limits of your senses at Dining in the Dark, a culinary experience to benefit accessibility at the RIHS’s Museum of Work & Culture and John Brown House Museum.
RIHS Joins Smithsonian Magazine for 14th Annual Museum Day
Free Admission at John Brown House to Include Kids Book Event; MoWC Also Free The Rhode Island Historical Society, a … Continue reading RIHS Joins Smithsonian Magazine for 14th Annual Museum Day
We Didn’t Go to the Catskills: Jewish Summer Recreation in R.I.
The Rhode Island Historical Society and Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association are collaborating on a panel discussion exploring past summer recreation sites. Speakers will reflect on popular local vacation destinations – including summer camps, country clubs, and favorite beaches – that Rhode Island’s Jewish community enjoyed throughout the 20th century.
Apothecary Show Globes
Apothecary show globes originally served a practical purpose as a way to distinguish between an apothecary’s shop and other businesses. … Continue reading Apothecary Show Globes
Nantucket Indian Princess
According to the Publications of the Rhode Island Historical Society, vol. 3, Catalogue of Portraits, 1895, p.102: “The painting referred to … Continue reading Nantucket Indian Princess
Estelle
Throughout the first floor of the Mary Robinson Research Center, we have several Hull models of different ships and boats, … Continue reading Estelle
Girls' City Club of Providence
The Girls’ City Club, Providence, 1920-1970 The Girls’ City Club (GCC) of Providence (MSS 438) was founded in 1920 out … Continue reading Girls' City Club of Providence
Hat Honor
According to the Guide to the Records of the Religious Society of Friends (Quaker) in New England the Society of Friends, largely … Continue reading Hat Honor
RIHS Recognizes Teachers With Week of Free Admission, Programs
“Teacher Appreciation Week is all about thanking teachers for their dedication, and showing them how dedicated we are to them,” said Geralyn Ducady, Director of the RIHS’s Newell D. Goff Center for Education and Public Programs. “This is an opportunity to learn how the RIHS can help educators through the wonderful resources we have available, from free field trips to free digital textbooks to free curricula – and, of course, our collections.”
Mary Queen of Scots
The Mary Queen of Scots bed set was donated to the Rhode Island Historical Society in 1953 by Henry A. … Continue reading Mary Queen of Scots
EnCompass, Free RI History Digital Textbook, Releases Second Chapter
The RIHS and Providence College’s Phillips Memorial Library have released the second chapter of the free digital textbook of … Continue reading EnCompass, Free RI History Digital Textbook, Releases Second Chapter
Lola's Ball Gown
Lola Elda Del Sesto (Farrone) was born on November 01, 1909, she was the wife of Rhode Island governor Christopher … Continue reading Lola's Ball Gown
Public Meeting: Documenting African American Struggle for Civil Rights in RI
On July 11 from 5:30 to 7:30pm at the Congdon Street Baptist Church at 17 Congdon St. in Providence, the Rhode Island Historical Society (RIHS), the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society (RIBHS), and Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission (RIHPHC) will hold a public meeting to share the latest research from their collaborative project on African Americans’ struggle for Civil Rights in Rhode Island during the 20th century.
AN-6530 Goggles
This summer, the Rhode Island Historical Society’s Collections department is excited to host an undergraduate Arts Intern from the Studio … Continue reading AN-6530 Goggles
Museum of Work & Culture Announces Summer SensAbilities Program
The Museum of Work & Culture will launch its slate of summer SensAbilities programs on Monday, July 9. Made-to-Order Mondays … Continue reading Museum of Work & Culture Announces Summer SensAbilities Program
Carrington P. Slade: Patriot of Bristol, R.I.
The R.I.H.S. has acquired a stirring Civil War letter written by Carrington Palmer Slade (1845-1918), an African American, Rhode Island … Continue reading Carrington P. Slade: Patriot of Bristol, R.I.
"…went a clamming"
“In the afternoon Grandma, Mother and myself went a clamming.” -Mary (June 7, 1857) Mary Matilda … Continue reading "…went a clamming"
In Memoriam: William S. Simmons, 1938-2018
C. Morgan Grefe on William S. Simmons, who passed away on June 2: “He was a voice of reason, with a brilliant intellect and a sparkling sense of humor. His love of his work and his community was equaled by his tremendous compassion for humankind. He was so very kind and so very smart.”
Burnt with Fire
A Family history of murder and intrigue Everyone knows of the infamous New Englander Lizzie Borden. What people may not … Continue reading Burnt with Fire
Museum of Work & Culture Offers Walking Tours of Historic Woonsocket
Beginning Saturday, June 2, the Museum of Work & Culture will be offering walking tours of historic Woonsocket each Saturday at 10am through August 25.
Living History Event Will Immerse Visitors in One Night’s Revolutionary Impact
The Rhode Island Historical Society and the Newport Historical Society Present “What Cheer Day: Life After the Gaspee Affair” on June 2 as Part of History Space Series
"There was no better officer in either army"
George Sears Greene was born May 6, 1801 in Warwick, R.I. to Caleb Greene & Sarah Robinson Greene. He graduated … Continue reading "There was no better officer in either army"
Girls! Girls! Girls!
Now on display at the Robinson Research Center: A Century of Women’s Organizations in Rhode Island A Sphere of … Continue reading Girls! Girls! Girls!
The Private Side of One of America’s Most Powerful 18th-Century Families
When the sun sets in 18th-century Providence, what happens at the mansion on the hill? Find out Thursday, April 19, when the Rhode Island Historical Society and Newport Historical Society present After Dark: Browns, Bad Boys, and Boudoirs.
Life is a verb, not a noun.
Charlotte Perkins Gilman was a prominent American feminist, sociologist, novelist, writer of short stories, poetry, and nonfiction, and a lecturer … Continue reading Life is a verb, not a noun.
Historian Presents Free Talk on New Book Exploring American Progressivism and the Coming of the New Deal
On Sunday, April 15 at 1:30pm the Museum of Work & Culture will welcome historian Robert Chiles for a free … Continue reading Historian Presents Free Talk on New Book Exploring American Progressivism and the Coming of the New Deal
Women in the Civil War
Kady Brownell may be our most famous Rhode Island woman that disguised herself as a man to fight in the … Continue reading Women in the Civil War
Museum of Work & Culture Announces Autism Awareness Month Program
In honor of April’s Autism Awareness Month, the Museum of Work & Culture has announced a special expansion of its SensAbilities series for individuals on the autism spectrum and others facing sensory challenges.
SOLD OUT Salute to Spring/Bonjour Printemps Is Sunday
The Museum of Work & Culture’s 19th annual Salute to Spring/Bonjour Printemps event will take place on Sunday, March 25, at 1:30pm, and will celebrate Franco-American culture. The day will include the MoWC’s eagerly anticipated 2nd Annual Best Rhode Island Poutine Competition.
R.I. Leaders & Francophone Organizations Raise Francophonie Flag
The public and press are invited to join the League of Francophone Organizations of Rhode Island on Thursday, March 22, at the Rhode Island State House as they gather with state and Francophone leaders to raise the Francophonie Flag and celebrate French language and culture in Rhode Island.
A Woman's Touch: Ann Franklin, Printing Pioneer
Ann Smith was born in Boston, Mass. in 1696 to puritans Samuel and Anna Smith. For some context, this means … Continue reading A Woman's Touch: Ann Franklin, Printing Pioneer
She did more than make doughnuts…
she rocked a gas mask like a boss!!! The Rhode Island Historical Society’s latest display at the Arcade building in … Continue reading She did more than make doughnuts…
A Letter – and Invitation – From Amanda Aldrich O’Bannon
Just as people are made stronger by being together, our local institutions are stronger when we work together across boundaries and find new ways to connect. These bonds make us more resilient and forge alliances that can take us in directions unimaginable. I’m always impressed with the amazing directions RIHS takes, and I’m excited that its members, friends, and supporters like you might come to see our play on March 15, with proceeds from the evening benefiting the organization!
The Museum of Work & Culture will host “Through Our Eyes,” an exhibit by the Rhode Island Consortium for Autism Research & Treatment (RI-CART). All of the work on display was created by artists with autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions and will be exhibited through April 30 as part of the MoWC’s events planned for Autism Awareness Month. The show is curated by Hartford, Conn.-based artist Matthew Best.
Historical Reenactor Bourget Explores Assassination of Lincoln in Free Talk
The Museum of Work & Culture will offer the final installment of its 2018 Valley Talks, a series of free lectures, on Sunday, March 11, at 1:30pm.
When the Going Gets Tough…
Eleanor Eldridge (1784-1862) “No man would have been treated so, and if a white woman had ever been the subject … Continue reading When the Going Gets Tough…
This is a Woman's World
March is Women’s History month, so I thought I would take this opportunity to highlight amazing Rhode Island women! We … Continue reading This is a Woman's World
MoWC’s Ciné Québec to Pick Official Entry for 2018 R.I. International Film Festival
The Museum of Work & Culture invites the public to an upcoming event that will help curate the 2018 Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival. Ciné Québec, an evening of Québecois films in celebration of the month of Francophonie, takes place Thursday, March 8, at the MoWC. The evening will begin at 6pm with a wine and cheese reception in the MoWC gallery.
French-Language Film Series at the Museum of Work & Culture in March
Beginning Saturday, March 3, the Museum of Work & Culture will host Cinema Saturdays, a weekly presentation of a French-language film produced in Québec. All films will be screened at 1:30pm and are subtitled in English. The films are included with the price of museum admission, purchased at the door ($8/adults, $6/students and seniors, free/children under 10).
Cedric De Leon Presents Free Talk on Right-to-Work Laws at Museum of Work & Culture
The Museum of Work & Culture will offer the next installment of its free Valley Talks series on Sunday, Feb. 25, at 1:30pm, when writer and professor Cedric de Leon presents a talk based on his book The Origins of Right to Work: Antilabor Democracy in Nineteenth-Century Chicago, which explores the creation of right-to-work laws.
Undressing History: Women’s Clothes & Unmentionables from the 19th Century
The Newport Historical Society and the Rhode Island Historical Society will partner for their first joint History Space event since 2015 when they present “Undressing History: Women’s Clothes & Unmentionables From the 19th Century.” During this program, which will be offered in Providence on March 6 and again in Newport on May 3, historical costumer Carrie Midura will share some of the secrets (and stuffing) that were hidden beneath the leg-o-mutton sleeves and shelf-like bustle gowns of the 1800s.
Let My Love Open The Door: Part Two
When we left off last week it was January 1905 and Louise had said there was no hope… … Continue reading Let My Love Open The Door: Part Two
Let My Love Open the Door: Part One
Get revved up for a romantic Valentine’s Day by reading the exploits of a young man looking for love at … Continue reading Let My Love Open the Door: Part One
Joseph Lyons Presents Documentary on R.I.’s Industrial Heritage
The Museum of Work & Culture will offer the third installment of its free Valley Talks series on Sunday, February 11, at 1:30pm, when documentary filmmaker Joseph Lyons will screen Rhode Island’s Industrial Revolution: The Rise and Fall of an Empire.
A Stitch in Time
The 2018 programming theme for the Rhode Island Historical Society is Rest and Relaxation in Rhode Island. This can mean … Continue reading A Stitch in Time
A Walkin' Man Walks!
The gift of a photo (carte-de-visite) image we received in the mail from a gentleman in Michigan last week sparked … Continue reading A Walkin' Man Walks!
Valley Talks Continue With RIHS Executive Director on Triple-Deckers
The Museum of Work & Culture will offer the second installment of its free Valley Talks lecture series on Sunday, January 28, at 1:30pm, when Rhode Island Historical Society Executive Director Dr. C. Morgan Grefe will present “The Triple-Decker Menace,” exploring the history of the the three-story housing so distinct to New England.
Where Everyone Knew Your Name: Barker's Tavern, 1805-1807
Sometimes the R.I.H.S. collection items record a single moment in time or the life of single person. Today’s object documents … Continue reading Where Everyone Knew Your Name: Barker's Tavern, 1805-1807
Microfilm Blog Series #2
In November we introduced you to a new blog series featuring our microfilm collection and the work of our Administrative … Continue reading Microfilm Blog Series #2
Museum of Work & Culture to Launch Free Lecture Series January 14
Beginning January 14, the Museum of Work & Culture will host Valley Talks, a series of biweekly historical lectures. All talks are free and take place at 1:30pm at the Museum of Work & Culture.
Sledding down College Hill
Even though the snow has melted in Providence for now, my winter sports dreams are still alive. In 1791 a … Continue reading Sledding down College Hill
Ginger Crackers
Holiday cookie edition of our Cooking (from) the Books series This recipe for ginger crackers comes from the Congdon family … Continue reading Ginger Crackers
RIHS Announces Upcoming Volunteer Docent Trainings
We’re recruiting enthusiastic and inquisitive history lovers to volunteer as docents and educators at the John Brown House Museum in Providence. Deadline January 31, 2018!
William Greene Roelker (1886 – 1953)
“Live by faith and not on figures” William Greene Roelker, Director of the Rhode Island Historical Society from 1940 – … Continue reading William Greene Roelker (1886 – 1953)
RIHS Names Richard Ring Deputy Executive Director for Collections and Interpretation
Career Spanning Two Decades Includes Libraries, Exhibitions, Higher Education
With City of Providence Grant, New Smith Hill ‘Rhode Tour’ to Debut
December 14 Kickoff Event Will Celebrate Latest Addition to Mobile App, Website
From the Diary of Theodora Armington
Written in the late 1880s, this petite diary of Theodora G. (Bowen) Armington (1877-1967) includes almost yearly entries about Thanksgiving … Continue reading From the Diary of Theodora Armington
The Benefit on Benefit: Isn’t It Romantic at the Barker
We hope you will join us at the Barker Playhouse, “America’s Oldest Little Theatre,” for a special presentation of Wendy Wasserstein’s “compulsively funny” Isn’t It Romantic. All proceeds benefit the RIHS.
RIHS Celebrates Holidays With Open House at MoWC
December 2 Event Features Chocolate Talk, Sing-A-Long, North Pole Postman, Cookie Decorating, Santa’s Elves, and More
Microfilm Blog Series #1
For your consideration: a new series that will help researchers navigate our microfilm collection and highlight all of the resources … Continue reading Microfilm Blog Series #1
The Children in the Woods
1768 Broadside The children in the woods: Being a true and mournful relation of the inhuman murder of two children … Continue reading The Children in the Woods
Baking IS a Science
For our Cooking (from) the Books series I tried another recipe from the RIHS collections. My first baking adventure for … Continue reading Baking IS a Science
You are HERE: Maps at the RIHS
This blog is in honor of our (and very first successful) Netop Night at the Robinson Research Center! We hold … Continue reading You are HERE: Maps at the RIHS
Museum of Work & Culture Celebrates Blackstone Valley’s American Girl
The Museum of Work & Culture will once again celebrate Blackstone Valley’s American Girl, Grace Thomas, whose passions include French, baking, and her bulldog Bonbon on October 21.
Smithsonian Museum Day Live! and Doors Open R.I. Come to RIHS
John Brown House Museum in Providence and Museum of Work & Culture in Woonsocket Will Offer Free Admission, Tours on September 23
Fighting Like Heroes: Accounts of the Battle of R.I., 1778
The Battle of Rhode Island, also known as the Battle of Quaker Hill, occurred August 29, 1778 in Tiverton, R.I. … Continue reading Fighting Like Heroes: Accounts of the Battle of R.I., 1778
Helping History & Heritage Happen: Connecting Your Site to Schools
When: Wednesday, September 13, 9:30-11:30am Where: Rhode Island State Library, 82 Smith St., #208, Providence, R.I. Admission: FREE registration Learn … Continue reading Helping History & Heritage Happen: Connecting Your Site to Schools
MoWC to Celebrate Labor Day With Sesame Street’s Walkaround Julia
On Monday, September 4, the Museum of Work & Culture – along with Rhode Island PBS – will welcome Julia, a new friend from Sesame Street! A sweet and curious four-year-old girl with autism, Julia made her onscreen debut in April.
The event will take place during the MoWC’s free annual Labor Day Open House, which kicks off the MoWC’s 20th anniversary celebration.
High Summer Harvest
Photographs by Ernest K. Thomas One of our recent projects was the inventorying of the collection of a prolific but … Continue reading High Summer Harvest
Riverzedge, Tape Artists to Spend Week at Museum of Work & Culture
The Museum of Work & Culture will be the canvas for a temporary art installation by Riverzedge Arts and The Tape Art Crew, a group of public artists who create large scale murals with colored tape.
All that Jazz
To complement tonight’s Concert Under the Elms featuring the Greg Abate Quartet, we have pulled a few jazz numbers from … Continue reading All that Jazz
MoWC to Screen French-Language Films for R.I. International Film Festival
The Museum of Work & Culture will host a Rhode Island International Film Festival event on Thursday, August 10, 7pm. The MoWC will screen a collection of new and dynamic films by French-language filmmakers, including:
Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry
“Don’t Give Up the Ship!” This post is inspired by my son’s upcoming voyage on the Sailing School Vessel (SSV) … Continue reading Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry
Odes for the Fourth of July, 1796
For this holiday week celebrating the Declaration of Independence from Britain in 1776, I delved into the R.I.H.S. collections to … Continue reading Odes for the Fourth of July, 1796
When is a sponge not a sponge?
I am an avid watcher of The Great British Bake Off on PBS. My sister reads a few British newspapers … Continue reading When is a sponge not a sponge?
The RIHS Presents Tomaquag Director Lorén Spears on Indigenous Food Sovereignty
On Tuesday, July 18, 5:30pm, at the Aldrich House (110 Benevolent St.), the Rhode Island Historical Society will host Dr. Lorén Spears, Executive Director of the Tomaquag Museum, to speak about indigenous peoples and the issue of food sovereignty. This event is presented as part of Relishing Rhode Island, the RIHS’s 2017 programming theme, as well as the statewide initiative A La Rhody.
Museum of Work & Culture Announces Made-to-Order Mondays, Summer SensAbilities Program
The Museum of Work & Culture has announced an expansion of its SensAbilities series for individuals on the autism spectrum and others facing sensory challenges.
Made-to-Order Mondays will provide free admission for families, day programs, and aides who wish to experience the MoWC in a low sensory, less crowded environment. Sensory elements such as lighting and sound are adjusted, and trained staff and volunteers are on hand to provide supplementary tools and offer tours to visitors who have children with special needs.
Helping History & Heritage Happen: Communications + Social Media
Learn the ins and outs of effective communication and social media strategies to apply to your organization’s outreach efforts. Join Shawn Badgley, Communications & Digital Outreach Manager at the Rhode Island Historical Society as he shares some tips and best practices.
“Avi Tour” Brings Popular Providence-Based Young Adult Novel to Life
One of the Rhode Island Historical Society’s most requested private walking tours will welcome a wider audience for one day only on Saturday, June 24, 11am, starting at the John Brown House Museum.
Foodways to Freedom: African Heritage Entrepreneurs in 18th- and 19th-Century Rhode Island
During the 18th-, 19th-, and into the early 20th centuries, two trades that were almost the exclusive territory of free African heritage people were that of barber and caterer, both of which could be very lucrative professions.
Museum of Work & Culture Observes Québec’s National Holiday With Free Film Screenings
The Museum of Work & Culture will be offering free film screenings of Quebecois films, on Saturday, June 24, in honor of Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, Québec’s National Holiday.
Museum of Work & Culture to Host Speakers for Steampunk Exhibit Finale
The Museum of Work & Culture (42 S. Main St., Woonsocket) is proud to present Thunder & Steam: History Reimagined, a Steampunk fine art exhibit organized by Harsh Reality Ltd.
A Walk in the Woods
This past weekend I decided to take a hike in the woods, despite the fact that the sun really has … Continue reading A Walk in the Woods
Grappling With All Our Legacies: An Evening With Sylvia Brown
How did philanthropy become such an intrinsic part of the American ethos? In Grappling With Legacy: Rhode Island’s Brown Family and the American Philanthropic Impulse, Sylvia Brown has delved into one of the country’s largest family archives to understand what fuels a multigenerational compulsion to giving.
Our History Crawl Premieres on June 13
This new tour, taking place Tuesday, June 13, 5:30pm, will look at the intersection of downtown Providence’s vibrant restaurant scene and the city’s engaging history of preservation. Presented as part of the RIHS’s 2017 programming theme, “Relishing Rhode Island,” as well as the statewide A La Rhody initiative.
Museum of Work & Culture Offers Walking Tours of Historic Woonsocket
Beginning Saturday, June 3, the Museum of Work & Culture will be offering walking tours of historic Woonsocket each Saturday at 1pm. Guides will lead groups along the banks of the Blackstone and Main Street, explaining how the river influenced the birth of the Industrial Revolution and how, in turn, the mills environmentally impacted the river.
Destruction of History/History of Destruction II
The architectural history of Rhode Island is a fascinating and frequently researched topic in the R.I.H.S. Collections. Buildings that housed or … Continue reading Destruction of History/History of Destruction II
Museum of Work & Culture to Host ‘Rhode Island Clam Shacks’ Book Signing
Free Talk With Authors Martin and Stone in Conjunction With Food Truck Friday
Exhibit, Essay Contest Celebrate Students’ Civic Pride & Creative Talents
On Wednesday, May 31, 5pm, the Museum of Work & Culture will welcome Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt and Superintendent of Woonsocket Schools Dr. Patrick McGee to an open house celebrating the gallery exhibit “Woonsocket Proud: Woonsocket 5th Graders’ Reflections on Pride.”
Waffles with Meme
Cooking (from) the Books #2 Growing up, being allowed entre into my Meme’s kitchen while she was cooking was an … Continue reading Waffles with Meme
Cooking (from) the Books
The Rhode Island Historical Society’s theme for 2017 is Relishing Rhode Island. To celebrate this, our staff will be cooking … Continue reading Cooking (from) the Books
Happy New Year… in April?
It started with a patron, a picture and a juicy story. A patron was looking for photos taken by Providence … Continue reading Happy New Year… in April?
Crafting the Past, Therapist-Led Art and Music Program, to Launch at Museum of Work & Culture
Museum of Work & Culture announces expansion of SensAbilities program
Museum of Work & Culture to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Casa Vallarta
The public is invited to join the Museum of Work & Culture on Sunday, May 7, 2pm, for a celebration of Cinco de Mayo with an afternoon of Mexican food and history at Casa Vallarta.
RIHS Executive Director to Give “Reading Across RI” Talk
During her April 12 Reading Across Rhode Island talk “Social Order and Disorder,” Dr. C. Morgan Grefe, RIHS Executive Director, will explore the history of prisons in this country to help us better understand how we’ve reached our current state, so far removed from the hopeful concepts of the 19th century.
A Morning of Family Fun at the John Brown House Museum!
What: Learning Quill and Ink Writing at the John Brown House Museum! When: Saturday, July 8th, 9:00-10:00am Mornings at the Museum will be … Continue reading A Morning of Family Fun at the John Brown House Museum!
Women’s History Month: In the Mills
This year’s National Women’s History Month celebrates trailblazing women in labor and business. As the month winds down, here’s a look at some important contributions from women in Rhode Island’s organized labor movement during the 1920s and ’30s.
Maps in the Rhode Island Historical Society Collection
There are just over 3,500 maps in our collection, all of which are cataloged and available through NETOP. The … Continue reading Maps in the Rhode Island Historical Society Collection
After Dark at the Museum Returns April 27
On April 27, the Rhode Island Historical Society’s “After Dark at the Museum” will give visitors the rare opportunity to tour the John Brown House Museum by (battery-operated!) candlelight and discover what went on during private evenings – and late nights – at home in the 18th century.
Press Release: The 2017 Newell D. Goff Lecture to Feature Susan Evans McClure
Can we use beer as a way to track immigration trends? Or a recipe card to examine agricultural development? What are the most significant advances in the evolution of cookware? Susan Evans McClure, Director of Food History Programs at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History, will address questions like these at the Rhode Island Historical Society’s 2017 Newell D. Goff Lecture, a free event taking place at the Aldrich House in Providence on Wednesday, April 19, 6pm. A reception will follow.
“No MAN Ever Would Have Been Treated So”: Elleanor Eldridge
Celebrating Women’s History Month by way of an entrepreneur’s 233rd birthday
Media Advisory: Francophone Flag Raising Ceremony on March 23
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I gcás ina bhfuil na mná?: Irish Women in Rhode Island
Irish immigrants to Rhode Island have forged an enduring legacy. Famous individuals such as Rev. James McSparran (1680-1757) and philosopher … Continue reading I gcás ina bhfuil na mná?: Irish Women in Rhode Island
Salute to Spring Returns to MoWC on March 26 With Poutine Cook-Off
The Museum of Work & Culture’s 18th annual Salute to Spring/Bonjour Printemps event will take place on Sunday, March 26, at 1:30pm, and will celebrate French-Canadian culture.
Museum of Work & Culture to Exhibit Work of Artists on the Autism Spectrum
The Museum of Work & Culture will host Through Our Eyes, an exhibit by the Rhode Island Consortium for Autism Research & Treatment (RI-CART).
Rhode Island Women in Action: A Force for Local Food
The Providence Housewives League The Providence Housewives League held their first meeting on September 27, 1912, with an aim to … Continue reading Rhode Island Women in Action: A Force for Local Food
“Dolores Huerta: Daring to Lead” With Taína Caragol
As part of the Women’s History Talk Lecture Series with Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), we are pleased to present a talk from Dr. Taína Caragol, Curator of Latino Art and History at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, who will discuss Civil Rights activist Dolores Huerta, a founder of the American Farm Workers movement, at CCRI’s Lincoln Campus on March 23.
Lovecraft Walking Tour Returns (March 18 Postponed – New Date April 8)
Each year, the Rhode Island Historical Society marks the anniversary of H.P. Lovecraft’s death in March of 1937 with a walking tour of spaces and places in Providence that were important to his life and work. Recent editions of the tour have also coincided with the release of Narragansett Beer’s latest Lovecraft-themed brew, which for 2017 is the Unnamable Black Lager. We’re excited to announced that ‘Gansett is back and will host a nearby afterparty for tour participants, details on which will be announced ASAP.
Help Select an Official Entry to 2017’s R.I. International Film Festival at Ciné Québec
Join the Museum of Work & Culture on March 9 for Ciné Québec, an evening of Québecois films in celebration of the month of Francophonie.
Volunteer With Our ‘Avi Program’
The Rhode Island Historical Society runs a robust elementary school walking tour called the “Avi Program” every spring and fall. This tour is based on Avi’s book Something Upstairs, set in the Fox Point area. As this program grows annually, RIHS is looking for guides to fill our walking tour guide roster.
Museum of Work & Culture Launches French-Language Film Series
Beginning Saturday, March 4, the Museum of Work & Culture will host Cinema Saturdays, a weekly presentation of a French-language film produced in Québec. All films will be screened at 1:30pm and are subtitled in English. The films are included with the price of museum admission, purchased at the door ($8/adults, $6/students & seniors, free/children under 10).
Traditional Maple Sugaring at Coggeshall
Sure, we’ve all had French toast on a Saturday morning. But have you ever truly experienced your French toast on a Saturday morning? The Rhode Island Historical Society and Coggeshall Farm Museum are offering food lovers, history lovers, and food history lovers alike that opportunity on Saturday, March 4, 10am-noon, when the public is invited to learn about the process of maple sugaring and making maple syrup … and then to enjoy pouring it over some delicious hearth-cooked French toast.
Vintage Valentines
Vintage Valentines Selections from the R.I.H.S. Ephemera Collection. American Makers George C. Whitney, The Whitney Valentine Company (Worcester, MA*): … Continue reading Vintage Valentines
Of Proxies and People
A member of the Rhode Island Historical Society for over 30 years, Daniel C. Schofield, 79, of Westerly, passed away … Continue reading Of Proxies and People
Press Release: Ambitious (and Delicious) “Relishing Rhode Island” Programming Announced
Each year, the Rhode Island Historical Society features a new programming theme, allowing the organization to explore a compelling aspect of the state’s history through its events, lectures, partnerships, and initiatives. In 2016, it was fashion. The year before, design. Today, the RIHS officially announced 2017’s theme: Relishing Rhode Island, serving up plenty of events to go around, with dozens plated already and many more on the burner.
In Memoriam: Peter M. Griswold
We are sad to announce the passing of another member of the RIHS family this week. Peter M. Griswold, M.A., M.L.S., of Cranston, died on January 18, 2017.
From Prussia with Love
Karl Eschoff, an orphan boy taken in by Frederick the Great, leaves Prussia, becomes a merchant and woos a wealthy … Continue reading From Prussia with Love
RIHS Fundraising Goal Reached, Collections Photo Re-Created!
We did it! Well, rather, you did it!
Learning From ‘The American Frugal Housewife’ Cookbook
American Frugal Housewife is part life guide, home helper, and receipt collection. On February 28, Katy O’Neill-Day discusses etiquette, recipes, and lessons from the bestseller of its time as part of our yearlong Relishing Rhode Island programming theme.
Press Release: NPS Awards Grant to RIHS, Partners for Civil Rights Project
The National Park Service (NPS) announced on Thursday, Jan. 12, a $49,557.76 grant to the Rhode Island Historical Society, working in partnership with the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society (RIBHS) and Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission (RIHPHC), for the purposes of a multi-phase project focusing on African Americans’ struggle for Civil Rights in Rhode Island during the 20th century.
In Memoriam: Albert T. “Al” Klyberg, 1940-2017
C. Morgan Grefe’s statement on former RIHS Executive Director Al Klyberg, who has died at 76. All of us here offer our deepest condolences to Al’s family and friends. In the coming days, we will share more about his life and times, as well as provide memorial service information when and if it becomes available to the public.
Cream Puff Murder
Every once in a while a research question sticks with us. A few months ago we received a request from … Continue reading Cream Puff Murder
MoWC Embarks on Moveable Feast at Chan’s Restaurant
You’re invited to join the Museum of Work & Culture as it celebrates Chinese New Year by recognizing Rhode Island institution Chan’s Fine Oriental Dining’s legacy of jazz with its premiere “Moveable Feast” event.
Proudfoot Presents Austin T. Levy Documentary on March 19
The Museum of Work & Culture will offer the final installment of its free Valley Talks series on Sunday, March 19, at 1:30pm.
A Solstice Almanac Tale
We have just celebrated the Winter Solstice yesterday, Dec. 21st. Today we look at the seasons of yore, specifically 1795 … Continue reading A Solstice Almanac Tale
Dreams of Summer
I will visit the beach in Rhode Island any time of year, even to the point of inflicting a trip … Continue reading Dreams of Summer
RIHS and the Players at Barker Playhouse Have “Christmas Spirit”
A special presentation benefiting the RIHS
Make Your Holidays Historic With the RIHS & MoWC
Our upcoming open houses, walks, and more will have you feeling as festive as ever this season!
Fantastic Beasts!
In honor of the release of the much anticipated movie Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them in theatres tomorrow, we … Continue reading Fantastic Beasts!
Have Mercy…
Immortalized in H.P. Lovecraft’s “The Shunned House”, rumored to be the inspiration for Lucy Westerna in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, destination … Continue reading Have Mercy…
50 Years of Art in Rhode Island Exhibit
URI Feinstein Providence Campus Hosts Show and November 17 Event
Meet Dr. William Bowen
Dr. William Bowen was born in Providence, March 8, 1747. His father, Dr. Ephraim Bowen, called him “Billie”. He is … Continue reading Meet Dr. William Bowen
RIHS Names Geralyn Ducady New Education & Public Programs Director
The Rhode Island Historical Society has named Geralyn Ducady Director of its Newell D. Goff Center for Education and Public Programs after a two-month search.
RIHS, PC Partner on New Educational Resource
Digital Textbook Project to Be Unveiled at October 19 Event
Museum of Work & Culture Presents an Evening of French Sci-Fi & Fantasy Films
Cocteau’s Shadow: A Flickers’ Vortex Sci-Fi, Fantasy, & Horror Film Festival Event
A 1750 Walnut Stick Attack
Matthew Robinson (1709-1795) was a Newport lawyer. Supposedly minding his own business, walking the street in 1750 when he was … Continue reading A 1750 Walnut Stick Attack
Museum of Work & Culture Hosts Exhibit on 250 Years of the Black Church in R.I.
Join the Museum of Work & Culture as we welcome “Do Lord Remember Me: The Black Church in Rhode Island,” a groundbreaking exhibit on the 250 years of history of the church’s formation and function as the community’s moral compass, town hall, and promoter of artists, thinkers, and doers.
RIHS, Partners Officially Launch Effort to Digitize Seminal Architect’s Plans
Kickoff Party at Arcade Providence Open to Public, Will Feature New Harvest Cash Bar
What Cheer Day Returns With Focus on 18th-Century Fashion, Scandal
Beloved living history event offers afternoon of costumes, conversation, activities, and food
Photos From Museum Day Live!
Thank you to the hundreds of visitors who joined us at three different sites – the John Brown House Museum, Museum of Work & Culture, and Aldrich House – for Smithsonian Magazine’s Museum Day Live on Saturday, as we celebrated the grand opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture with presentations from Keith Stokes and Sylvia Ann Soares, while also hosting a kickoff party for the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society – RIBHS’s 40th anniversary year.
Please enjoy these photos from a truly inspiring day!
Remember Your Ancestors Day at Museum of Work & Culture
To celebrate this annual recognition of the people whose work and sacrifices made our futures possible, the MoWC will be registering individuals in the Mill Memory Bank, our recently launched digital registry of former mill workers.
Destruction of History/History of Destruction
The architectural history of Rhode Island is a fascinating and frequently researched topic in the R.I.H.S. Collections. Buildings that housed people … Continue reading Destruction of History/History of Destruction
Smithsonian Museum Day Live! at RIHS
The Rhode Island Historical Society will open its doors free of charge on Saturday September 24, 2016, as part of Smithsonian magazine’s 12th annual Museum Day Live! On this day only, participating museums across the United States emulate the spirit of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, D.C.-based facilities, which offer free admission every day, and open their doors for free to those who download a Museum Day Live! ticket.
"Trust To Yr Own Head": an Account of Hurricane Carol
Today in 1954 Hurricane Carole hit Rhode Island with its full force. Read this first-hand account by Providence resident Gorton Thayer … Continue reading "Trust To Yr Own Head": an Account of Hurricane Carol
What Cheer Wednesdays
What Cheer Wednesdays will bring you behind the scenes with free museum admission and pop-up programming. It’s a series featuring rotating weekly offerings – as well as chats with curators, docents, and educational staff – all intended to give visitors a unique look at a day in the life of our museums.
Community Care Alliance: Human Services in Rhode Island, A 125 Year History
The exhibit traces the history of human service organizations in the city, including the name changes, mergers, and community partnerships that have led to the formation of the agency as it exists today. Displayed artifacts include photographs, daily log books, expenditure ledgers, and board manager journals dating from the organization’s founding in 1891.
Museum of Work & Culture Labor Day Open House
Featuring the Debut of the Mill Workers’ Memory Bank When: Monday, September 5 Where: The Museum of Work … Continue reading Museum of Work & Culture Labor Day Open House
Museum of Work & Culture Celebrates Birthday of Blackstone Valley’s American Girl
The Museum of Work & Culture is excited to once again celebrate the birthday of the Blackstone Valley’s American Girl, Grace Thomas, whose passions include French, baking, and her bulldog Bonbon.
World Elephant Day
Today is World Elephant Day! To celebrate and honor these amazing animals, we decided to re-post a piece written about … Continue reading World Elephant Day
Museum of Work & Culture to Screen French-Language Films for 20th R.I. International Film Festival
The Museum of Work & Culture will be hosting the Rhode Island International Film Festival event Ciné Francophone on Thursday, August 11, 7pm. The MoWC will screen a collection of new and dynamic films by French language filmmakers.
Of Feet and Seats
If you were to eavesdrop on some specialists discussing furniture without seeing the objects they see, you might wonder what … Continue reading Of Feet and Seats
RIHS Partners With Mount Vernon to Host Teacher Appreciation Week
The Rhode Island Historical Society is proud to announce the full schedule of programming for Teacher Appreciation Week, presented in partnership with George Washington’s Mount Vernon and taking place August 15 through August 19 at various RIHS sites in Providence and Woonsocket. During Teacher Appreciation Week, educators can enjoy free workshops and museum admission; info sessions about the resources that the RIHS offers in and out of the classroom; as well as special discounts on membership, gift shop purchases, and walking tours.
RIHS Talk and Walk to Mark H.P. Lovecraft’s Birthday
In commemoration of the 126th anniversary of Providence native H.P. Lovecraft’s birth, the Rhode Island Historical Society will offer two special events in August: A presentation from artist Jason C. Eckhardt on “Illustrating Lovecraft’s Fungi From Yuggoth,” taking place August 18, and the walking tour “H.P. Lovecraft: A Literary Life” on August 20, the author’s birthday.
Woonsocket Walking Tours
Learn about the relationship between the Blackstone River and Woonsocket’s industrial development on a historic walking tour of the city.
Fun in the Sun!
Every year people flock to the beaches of Rhode Island for some fun in the sun.Beach front entertainment took on … Continue reading Fun in the Sun!
Wonderfully Weird Wool
Ask any staff member of the Rhode Island Historical Society “What’s the weirdest thing you have seen while working here?” … Continue reading Wonderfully Weird Wool
RIHS News: ‘Colonial Justice’ Digital Archive Launches With 1729-1812 R.I. Court Records
The Rhode Island Historical Society has launched the digital archive “Colonial Justice: Preserving and Digitizing Early Rhode Island Court Records.” These specific collections were selected by RIHS curators for digitization based on their rarity, as well as their unique documentation of the colonial justice system in Rhode Island.
From a single online location, users can now access selected 1729-1812 records from the courts of Providence County, Kent County, and what was known as Kings County (now Washington County). The online archive is free and open to the public.
Celebrate Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day!
The Museum of Work & Culture will be offering free film screenings of Un rêve americain on Friday, June 24, in honor of Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, Québec’s National Holiday.
Attention all Lovers of Nature!
“To the attention of travelers, sea faring men, and all lovers of nature and nature’s handy works, who are willing … Continue reading Attention all Lovers of Nature!
Woonsocket Proud Open House and Exhibit
Join the Museum of Work & Culture, Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt, and Superintendent of Woonsocket Schools Dr. Patrick McGee at an open house on Wednesday, June 15, 4pm, as we celebrate the creative talents of Woonsocket’s fifth-graders.
Seals!
Everyone loves Rhode Island’s harbor seals but I love the seals in the R.I.H.S. Collections. They make any document more … Continue reading Seals!
The Sun Will Come Out… Eventually.
When the sun does come out to play, I am sure that we will all run straight to our favorite … Continue reading The Sun Will Come Out… Eventually.
The Good, the Bad, and the Awesome
The GOOD Esek Hopkins was born on April 26, 1718 in Scituate, Rhode Island to William Hopkins and Ruth Wilkinson. … Continue reading The Good, the Bad, and the Awesome
Paul Muller-Reed of New England Book Auction
Wednesday, June 1, 6-8 pm Aldrich House (110 Benevolent St., Providence) Attendees may bring 1-2 books to be appraised by … Continue reading Paul Muller-Reed of New England Book Auction
2016 Newell D. Goff Lecture: The Smithsonian Institution’s Dr. Jeffrey E. Post
On April 28, 6:30pm, we’re honored to host Dr. Jeffrey E. Post – department chair, geologist, and curator-in-charge of the Mineral Collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History – who will deliver our annual Newell D. Goff Lecture at the Aldrich House: “The Hope Diamond & the National Gem Collection.”
Museum of Work & Culture and Local Students Benefit From Legislative Grants
The combined efforts of Representatives Michael A. Morin, Stephen M. Casey and Robert D. Phillips, as well as Senators Marc A. Cote and Roger Picard, have helped to provide funding for Woonsocket fifth-graders to visit the Museum of Work & Culture free of charge.
Spring Forward 2016: Facets of the Past
On Saturday, May 14, at the Aldrich House, join us for our annual Spring Forward, Think Back gala – the 2016 edition will celebrate the brilliant past of Rhode Island jewelry-making.
After Dark at the Museum: Shedding (Candle) Light on 18th-Century Nights at Home
On April 21, the Rhode Island Historical Society’s “After Dark at the Museum” will give visitors the rare opportunity to tour the John Brown House Museum by (battery-operated!) candlelight and discover what went on during private evenings – and late nights – at home in the late 18th century.
Dear Howard
The collections of the Rhode Island Historical Society have their own storied past and the current curators walk through the … Continue reading Dear Howard
Symposium: America’s Shakespeare
This April 16 symposium exploring the place of Shakespeare in American culture, in collaboration with the Rhode Island Historical Society, features three distinguished scholars who will discuss how Shakespeare has shaped American social life, culture, and politics. This will be followed by a collage of scenes from films set in the U.S.
Tools of the Temperance Movement
Oh the stories we can tell after a night of fun and celebration! Sometimes those stories turn into warnings for … Continue reading Tools of the Temperance Movement
Francophonie 2016: Calendar of Events
Once again, the Museum of Work & Culture is partnering with several Francophone & Francophile organizations including the Québec Delegation Boston, the Canadian Consulate in New England, Alliance Française de Providence, the American Association of Teachers of French, the French American School of Rhode Island, the American French Genealogical Society, and the Rhode Island International Film Festival, to offer a slate of French-inspired programming.
March 12 Is Museum Day Live! at the RIHS
Held during Women’s History Month, this special edition of the Smithsonian’s signature Museum Day Live! event will encourage all people – and particularly women and girls of color – to explore their nation’s museums, cultural institutions, zoos, aquariums, parks, and libraries, which will offer free admission for the day.
As a Smithsonian Affiliate, the RIHS is thrilled to take part in Museum Day Live!, and we’ll be offering free admission at the John Brown House Museum and the Museum of Work & Culture on Saturday, March 12.
Best Foot Forward
These delightful little slippers were worn by Frances Mary Eldredge of Brooklyn, Connecticut at her marriage to Dr. Daniel Lyman … Continue reading Best Foot Forward
Final Installment for Museum of Work & Culture’s Valley Talks!
Baseball historian Greg Rubano will present on his upcoming book, Under the Shadow of Ty Cobb: The Life and Times of Napoleon Lajoie, recounting the meteoric rise of Woonsocket native Nap Lajoie. The presentation will highlight Lajoie’s Horatio Alger rise from the mills to national idolatry as a baseball hero. In addition to chronicling Lajoie’s incredible exploits on the field, Rubano will tell the tales of the game, including Lajoie’s own stories and those of fellow players who played the game as it will never be played again.
Re-Claiming Oneself: Identity, Liberty, & Visual Literacy in the African American 19th Century Photographic Archive
A picture is worth a thousand words. We all know this saying. To a newly freed population of African Americans, … Continue reading Re-Claiming Oneself: Identity, Liberty, & Visual Literacy in the African American 19th Century Photographic Archive
Announcement: The RIHS Removes Four Dead Elm Trees From John Brown House Museum Property
Of interest to our members, friends, and supporters: We regret to announce that the Rhode Island Historical Society was forced to remove four more dead elm trees from the John Brown House Museum property. The RIHS hired TF Morra Tree Care, Inc., to handle the removal (as well as, potentially, a replanting strategy of more varied and disease-resistant trees in the coming months and years), and as this stage of the project draws to a close, we present Executive Director C. Morgan Grefe’s official statement on a painful decision that wasn’t really a decision at all:
A Tale of Typhoid
Excerpts from the diary of a Providence lawyer, John C. Pegram, concerning his daughter, Virginia Austin. Monday May 2, 1892 … Continue reading A Tale of Typhoid
You Give Me Fever
typhoid [tahy-foid] noun Also called typhoid fever. an infectious, often fatal, febrile disease, characterized by high fever, rose-colored spots on chest or abdomen, abdominal pain, intestinal inflammation and ulceration, caused by the typhoid bacillus, which is usually introduced via contaminated food or … Continue reading You Give Me Fever
St. Ann’s Expert Paul Bourget Presents Free Lecture on the Sentinelle Affair
Writer and historical reenactor Paul Bourget will examine the Sentinelle Affair, the local underground movement to preserve French Canadian culture that led to the excommunication of 61 congregants. The Movement Sentinelliste, one of the most divisive periods in Woonsocket’s history, caused battle lines to be drawn among French-Canadians in St. Ann’s Parish and throughout New England. Bourget will discuss the roots of the movement, its impact on the city, and the long-term ramifications of the members’ actions.
Valley Talks: Rick Beyer on the Ghost Army
Writer and filmmaker Rick Beyer will examine the local roots of the WWII deception unit known as the Ghost Army, and discuss his ongoing efforts to uncover this astonishing story. The Pentagon kept it under wraps for more than 40 years after World War II, and it remains little known today.
Pushing Paper: Collections Highlight
For Rhode Island one of the most important events of the late 18th Century was the opening of paper mills … Continue reading Pushing Paper: Collections Highlight
Food for Thought
Each week I try to sit down and plan the weekly meals, otherwise I end up eating toast! Every once … Continue reading Food for Thought
Valley Talks: Albert Klyberg on the CCC
Historian & former Rhode Island Historical Society Director Albert Klyberg (pictured) will explore the origins and accomplishments of the Civilian Conservation Corps, which employed more than 10,000 young men in Rhode Island from 1932 to 1941. The CCC, a branch of FDR’s New Deal, tasked these individuals with conserving natural resources on government land, including seven Rhode Island-based camps focused on forestry projects and state parks.
Missing the snow?
On this lovely 43 degree and sunny January day, I cannot help but miss the snow. Of course, like all … Continue reading Missing the snow?
Museum of Work & Culture’s Valley Talks Kick Off This Month
Beginning January 10, the Museum of Work & Culture will be hosting Valley Talks, a series of free, bi-weekly historical lectures. All talks take place on Sundays at 1:30pm at the Museum of Work & Culture, 42 S. Main St., Woonsocket.
A Postcard, a Clarification, & an Apology
Earlier this week, RIHS members and donors received a postcard asking them to consider our Annual Fund in their holiday … Continue reading A Postcard, a Clarification, & an Apology
Christmas Cheer?
Diary Excerpts from the Rhode Island Historical Society collections. While most diary entries about Christmas are happy remembrances like Sarah … Continue reading Christmas Cheer?
‘Tis the Season for Reciprocity!
Today, we announce our participation in the North American Reciprocal Museum Association, Time Travelers Reciprocal Program, the Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums, and the Rhode Island Attractions Marketing Alliance.
Happy Hanukkah!: A Lunar Calendar
In celebration of Hanukkah, here’s an important item of Rhode Island Judaica from the R.I.H.S. Collections
#GivingTuesday Gives You the Opportunity to Help the RIHS!
We realize that ours is not the first appeal you’ve received today, but we believe it to be among the most important.
Small Business Saturday, #BuyLocalRI, and More at RIHS Museum Gift Shops
On Saturday, Nov. 28, the John Brown House Museum (52 Power St., Providence, 1-4pm) and the Museum of Work & Culture (42 S. Main St., Woonsocket, 10am-4pm) will offer free admission. What’s more, patrons can shop at our RIHS museum gift shops with a 20% discount on all purchases!
Thanksgiving Reminiscences
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving! As we all prepare ourselves for the fun-filled frenzy of family gatherings and eating too much, the … Continue reading Thanksgiving Reminiscences
“Rhode Island’s Forgotten Power Broker and the Founding of the Federal Reserve”
In America’s Bank (Penguin Press), journalist and author Roger Lowenstein tells the drama-laden story of how the United States created … Continue reading “Rhode Island’s Forgotten Power Broker and the Founding of the Federal Reserve”
Expansion of All-Ability Program at the Museum of Work & Culture
The Museum of Work & Culture is proud to announce that it will be extending its hours of operation one … Continue reading Expansion of All-Ability Program at the Museum of Work & Culture
Morg Calling Orson, Come in Orson
Morgan Grefe, Ph.D. RIHS Executive Director There are those people who you’ve known for years and never knew that he … Continue reading Morg Calling Orson, Come in Orson
Celebrating 50 Years of Art in RI: Nov. 17
Join Rhode Island Historical Society and Providence Inner City Arts as we kick off one year of programming, educational opportunities, … Continue reading Celebrating 50 Years of Art in RI: Nov. 17
Murder at the Mill Nov 6
TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE! When: Friday, November 6 Where: The Museum of Work & Culture, 42 S. Main St., … Continue reading Murder at the Mill Nov 6
WhatCheerDay2015
Ever wonder what life–and death–were like in early 1800s Rhode Island? Knock at the door of John Brown Esq.’s mansion … Continue reading WhatCheerDay2015
RIHS 194th Annual Meeting Nov. 10, 2015
Save the Date for RIHS 194th Annual Meeting: November 10, 2015 November 10, 2015 at 5:30PM Aldrich House, 110 Benevolent … Continue reading RIHS 194th Annual Meeting Nov. 10, 2015
Free Admission + Sneak Peeks at What Cheer Wednesdays
What Cheer Wednesdays Bring You Behind the Scenes! Free museum admission and pop-up programming RIHS’s “What Cheer Wednesdays,” is an … Continue reading Free Admission + Sneak Peeks at What Cheer Wednesdays
French Sci-Fi & Fantasy Films Screening Oct. 21
Museum of Work & Culture Screening French Sci-Fi & Fantasy Films When: Wednesday, October 21 at 7:30pm Where: The Museum … Continue reading French Sci-Fi & Fantasy Films Screening Oct. 21
What Is #ReCollectingRI? [UPDATED]
We’re asking all Rhode Island Facebook users to play a statewide game of show & tell by posting a treasured photo, artifact, heirloom, video, recipe, sound file, or anything else you value most from the past and sharing why you picked it, along with the hashtag #ReCollectingRI. Then, we’re asking you to tag three friends to do the same.
Smithsonian Museum Day Live 2015!
As a Smithsonian Affiliate, we’re proud to participate in Museum Day Live 2015, a nationwide event produced by Smithsonian Magazine that celebrates the Smithsonian’s open doors and free admission policy! Our “Benefit Street: A Mile of History” walking tour, starting at 11am at the John Brown House Museum (52 Power St.) will also be free on Museum Day Live 2015.
“514 Broadway: A&L Tirocchi Gowns and the American Dream”
To mark the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Tirocchi sisters’ shop on Broadway in Providence, we’re honored to welcome Museum of Fine Arts Boston Curator Pamela Parmal to discuss her work with the Tirocchi collection on Sunday, Sept. 20, 3:30pm, at the Rhode Island Historical Society’s Aldrich House (110 Benevolent St.).
Help Us Celebrate American Girl’s Girl of the Year®!
Each year, American Girl debuts a new character whose story captures what it means to be a modern American girl. This year’s girl, Grace Thomas, is from the Blackstone Valley and is passionate about French, baking, and her dog Bon-Bon.
Commemorating a Cataclysm
On a Saturday morning in 1815, 11-foot-plus storm surges blasted the coast of Rhode Island, driven by what experts believe was a Category 4 hurricane originating in the West Indies and making landfall in New England.
Two hundred years later, join us for two events in September presented in partnership with Historic New England!
A Major Announcement: The RIHS Is Now a Smithsonian Affiliate!
In an exciting development years in the making – and thanks to the dedication of our Board of Trustees, members, supporters, partners, friends, and staff – the state will now have a conduit to the Smithsonian and its countless resources, as the Institution has designated the Rhode Island Historical Society as an Affiliate. In turn, Smithsonian patrons will gain greater access to collections and programs reflecting Rhode Island’s own history.
Let’s Celebrate This WaterFire Weekend!
To celebrate the Saturday, July 18, full WaterFire lighting, the John Brown House Museum (52 Power St.) will be open from 10am until 7:30pm, and will reopen on Sunday, July 19, at 1pm, closing at 4pm.
Duke Robillard Handpicks Replacements for July 16 Concert Under the Elms
And by replacements, we don’t meant the band the Replacements, although that would be cool, too. We mean award-winning bluesmen Sugar Ray Norcia and Monster Mike Welch!
Woody Spring, Rhode Island Astronaut!
Space Shuttle missions began in 1981, a year after Rhode Island’s own Sherwood “Woody” Spring was selected as an astronaut. Spring, raised in Eden Park in Cranston and Harmony village, graduated from Ponaganset High School in 1963.
Talk About a WaterFire Lighting …
Happy Gaspee! Thanks to one well-placed sandbar at Namquit Point off the coast of Warwick, the movement toward American Revolution really heated up 243 years ago today when the HMS Gaspee ran aground and was later boarded and burned by rebel colonists under the direction of John Brown and Abraham Whipple. Guess what? We have a walking tour for that!
Historical Research in Rhode Island Will Never Be the Same …
For the first time in more than 50 years, historians, students, authors, and genealogists from across New England – and around the world – will no longer be visiting the Rhode Island Historical Society Library to pursue their work.
Object Thursday: Pirates Off Cuba! 1829
Many Rhode Islanders’ letters and records document foreign lands and more particularly their waters. The Collections of the Rhode Island … Continue reading Object Thursday: Pirates Off Cuba! 1829
Happy R.I. Independence Day!
Happy Rhode Island Independence Day! Happy Independence Day Rhode Island! Two full months before the Continental Congress in Philadelphia declared independence … Continue reading Happy R.I. Independence Day!
Object Thursday: Letters to Napoli
The immigrant experience is central to the history of Rhode Island. Italian-Americans celebrate Saint Joseph’s day today. One fascinating collection … Continue reading Object Thursday: Letters to Napoli
R.I. Colonial Patriots of Color
Who is lost to the historical record? And can they be “rediscovered”? A long, often accurate, criticism of the teaching … Continue reading R.I. Colonial Patriots of Color
Miss Peck: The “19th Century Indiana Jones”
The following is a guest post by former RIHS intern Jessica Chandler. Pictured here in her mountaineering uniform in 1908 … Continue reading Miss Peck: The “19th Century Indiana Jones”
Object Thursday: The Declaration of Independence
Tonight, Thursday, July 3rd, the Rhode Island Historical Society will display a rare, original Rhode Island edition of the Declaration … Continue reading Object Thursday: The Declaration of Independence
Flag Day Spotlight: 14th R.I. Heavy Artillery
The following is a guest post by RIHS intern Jessica Chandler. Happy Flag Day! In celebration, this post is dedicated … Continue reading Flag Day Spotlight: 14th R.I. Heavy Artillery
The Burning of the Gaspee
The following is a guest post by RIHS intern Jessica Chandler. When the Gaspee, an armed British Navy ship, became … Continue reading The Burning of the Gaspee
Elmwood Walking Tour
Here are few photos from our March 1 walking tour of Providence’s historic Elmwood neighborhood. The still-cold weather didn’t stop … Continue reading Elmwood Walking Tour
Object Thursday: Landscapes
While we have been concentrating on disaster recovery over the past several weeks (and the gallery has some new photos), … Continue reading Object Thursday: Landscapes
There goes the Reading Room…
We’ve been busy this week, but not as busy as US Art. They are tasked with packing the entire contents … Continue reading There goes the Reading Room…
Object Thursday: February Blooms
April showers, May flowers—who has patience to wait for those?! This cold and slush-filled winter week we bring you some … Continue reading Object Thursday: February Blooms
Object Thursday: Soup Tureen
With the cold weather we’ve had lately, soup seems especially appealing. This Chinese export porcelain tureen in the shape of … Continue reading Object Thursday: Soup Tureen
Object Thursday: Sledding in Saylesville
Children all over Rhode Island are looking forward to a snow day, and wondering why some of them had school … Continue reading Object Thursday: Sledding in Saylesville
Object Thursday: A Band Box for Boxing Day
Elsewhere in the world, it’s Boxing Day, the uniquely British Commonwealth holiday when servants and working people received Christmas boxes … Continue reading Object Thursday: A Band Box for Boxing Day
Object Thursday: Death of Washington
George Washington died December 14, 1799. The A true man of the 18th Century, he passed away just as it … Continue reading Object Thursday: Death of Washington
Object Thursday: Metal Crafts
Rhode Island’s reputation as the Jewelry Capital of the World was born and developed in Providence around 1786. Some of … Continue reading Object Thursday: Metal Crafts
"to render Sincere THANKS"
Three hundred and fifty years ago, Great Britain, France and Spain concluded a world war with a Treaty signed on … Continue reading "to render Sincere THANKS"
A perfidious wretch: Hitchcock's sermon on Arnold's treason
By you probably know how much I like the Reverend Enos Hitchcock in all his forms and centuries. We are … Continue reading A perfidious wretch: Hitchcock's sermon on Arnold's treason
Object Thursday: Gorham Silver
The RIHS has a small but lovely collection of Gorham Manufacturing Company catalogs from the last quarter of the nineteenth … Continue reading Object Thursday: Gorham Silver