Remember Interpret Honor Share
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MEMBER MAGAZINE SUMMER 2018
CHAIR
Luther W. Spoehr, Ph.D.
IN MEMORIAM: WILLIAM S. SIMMONS, 1938-2018 When Bill Simmons passed away on June 2, ending a brave battle with cancer, the Rhode Island Historical Society lost a valued friend and guide. After 30 years at the University of California at Berkeley, Bill returned to his native Rhode Island in 1998, joined the RIHS Board of Trustees in 1999, and took on many roles after that, serving as 2nd Vice-Chair in 2007 and 1st ViceChair from 2008 to 2013. He stayed on the Board and began another three-year term last November. An accomplished anthropologist and nationally recognized expert on the history of New England’s Native Americans, he chaired the Collections Committee and headed the Strategic Planning Committee, where he helped to lead the RIHS into the good times it now enjoys. Bill graduated from Providence’s Classical High School and then, in 1960, from Brown University, where he received highest honors in human biology. After earning his master’s and doctoral degrees in anthropology from Harvard, he made his move to California. But Rhode Island was never out of his thoughts: In 1986, he published Spirit of the New England Tribes: Indian History and Folklore, 1620-1984. Said one reviewer, its “erudite research and balanced presentation make it an immediate classic.” As public-spirited as they come, Bill was a trustee of the Providence Public Library, the Education Partnership, the Public Education Fund, and the Providence chapter of the NAACP, which gave him the Roy Wilkins Award for Social Justice in 2006. Scholar, teacher, administrator, and engaged citizen, Bill used his wide experience to counsel and support
all of us at the RIHS. To former Chair Barry Hittner, Bill was memorable for “his ability to take great quantities of facts and data and explain them in a straightforward way that even I could understand.” Former President Roger Begin said that, when he remembers Bill, “I think of a perfect gentleman and his quiet demeanor. Whenever he asked a question or made a comment, it was evident that he was a very knowledgeable and thoughtful man with a passion for his work.” My time at the RIHS and at Brown has coincided almost exactly with Bill’s. Our academic interests overlapped – I teach about the history of American higher education; besides courses on “Religion and Culture” and “Mythscapes,” he taught a course on the “Transformation of the Research University” – but it was at the RIHS that I got to know just how broad and deep his interests were, and how committed he was to helping the RIHS broaden and deepen its own perspectives and programs. Always historically minded, he knew how to be fair to the past without being captured by it. Smart, tough-minded, modest, and funny, he had a realist’s sense of human limitations, an idealist’s determination to overcome them, and a rare capacity to laugh in the face of societal and personal adversity.
Michael L. Baker, Jr., CPA Winifred E. Brownell, Ph.D. Timothy N. Burditt Anthony A. Calandrelli Michael T. Eadie Andrew M. Erickson, CPCU George M. Goodwin, Ph.D. Barry G. Hittner, Esq. Edward A. Iannuccilli, M.D. William R. Logan James P. Loring, CPA, CFA Benjamin D. Lux David R. Marquis Lisa E. Melton Alexandra Pezzello, Esq. Robert H. Sloan, Jr., CLU, CHFC Theodore W. Smalletz Mary C. Speare Barbara J. Thornton, AIA
EX OFFICIO
Lane Talbot Sparkman
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR C. Morgan Grefe, Ph.D.
SENIOR STAFF
Charmyne Goodfellow Deputy Executive Director for Finance and Administration Richard J. Ring, MLS Deputy Executive Director for Collections and Interpretation Anne Conway Director, Museum of Work & Culture Geralyn Ducady, M.A. Director, Newell D. Goff Center for Education and Public Programs Lauren Jordan Director of Advancement
Like so many organizations and institutions, the RIHS is a better place because Bill Simmons was here to help. May we honor his memory by following his example.
ALDRICH HOUSE
– Luther Spoehr, Chair, Board of Trustees
52 Power Street Providence, Rhode Island 02906 401.273.7507
110 Benevolent Street Providence, Rhode Island 02906 401.331.8575
JOHN BROWN HOUSE MUSEUM
ROBINSON RESEARCH CENTER
ON THE COVER:
Roger Begin and family take a ride in a vintage 1963 Rocky Point Park “House of Horrors” car at Spring Forward … Think Back: Midway Memories in May. Photo by Judith Potter. Begin was honored with our History Maker award for his lifelong contributions in helping Rhode Islanders learn about and celebrate their history and culture. The car was loaned to the RIHS for the evening by Warwick resident and recent high school graduate Sean McCarthy, who lovingly restored it. For more from the event, see p. 8
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121 Hope Street Providence, Rhode Island 02906 401.273.8107
MUSEUM OF WORK & CULTURE 42 South Main Street Woonsocket, Rhode Island 02895 401.769.9675
DIRECTOR’S NOTE | C. MORGAN GREFE, Ph.D. Maybe it’s because my office is on the educationally laden East Side, or perhaps it’s because I spent my first three decades living an academic life, but June always feels like the end of the year to me. (Of course, it makes it all the more jarring that I don’t have the next 10 weeks off!) And, as I take a moment to pause and look back, I want to share with you how one of our newest initiatives did in its first year.
but the three groups who came brought 21 individuals this year, and we think that’s a wonderful start.
Around this time in 2017, we announced our Field Trip Free for All. Our hope was that by removing the financial barrier to visiting RIHS sites, we could compel more of our Rhode Island schools to experience history first hand. We aren’t naïve; we know that we have no control over things like testing schedules, but shouldn’t we still try to make it as easy as possible for our teachers and students to access history? We also know that many teachers plan far in advance and might not be able to take advantage in this program in its first year. But we felt strongly that the Field Trip Free for All was a worthy endeavor that would live up to our mission.
You might have seen me quoted recently in the Providence Business News talking about how our state’s museums, libraries, and cultural organizations provide resources at low or no cost for resources that municipalities and districts would otherwise shoulder. This is what I meant. Our cities and towns are often overwhelmed by increasing costs for infrastructure, and non-tested subjects like history and art are often the first things to fall by the wayside.
I was eager to know how the first year turned out, and I write with encouraging results. Please note, the Museum of Work & Culture came into the Field Trip Free for All with higher student attendance and can achieve higher attendance overall because they have a greater building capacity. With that said, the percentage of growth is staggering as we examine the increases from Fiscal Year 2017 (July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2017) to Fiscal Year 2018 (July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018). At the John Brown House Museum, we saw a 74% increase in student attendance, and the growth in the number of groups is even more impressive. This year, we have served 125% more groups than last year, representing a 92% increase in schools participating. And our attendance by Title I schools – which can now defray the cost of their busing thanks to the Klyberg Fund for Educational Access – more than doubled. While the percentages at the Museum of Work & Culture may not look as large at first glance, the raw numbers are, in some cases, double that of the John Brown House Museum: a 23% increase in students served. Thirty-four percent more student groups, and 54% more schools participating. In fact, 25 of our state’s 36 districts sent students to the MoWC this year! And, last year we welcomed 11 Title I schools, with 19 visiting us this year – a 73% increase!
I hope that like me, you are impressed and heartened by these numbers. They illustrate tremendous growth in just our first year – and I believe it’s only the beginning. The RIHS is energized by this response, and we’re already gearing up for the next school year.
At least for history, we aren’t going to let that happen. You are not going to let that happen! We’re able to lower or eliminate our costs because of supporters like you who know the value of history education. And this year, we have seen that our teachers and schools want access to high-quality history programs, as well. This is the business of history and museums, and business is booming. Please keep supporting the great work of the RIHS and our partners throughout the state and nation. We know that you believe in protecting and sharing our state’s stories, and I hope this helps you see that this preservation is being turned into access and experiences that our students so desperately need. Thank you for your support and please help us spread the word about the Free for All – make sure your district’s schools know that we are ready and waiting to bring history to life for their students!
As you no doubt remember, we are also working very hard to serve our community members of all needs and abilities, and the growth of these programs has also been boosted by our Free for All. At the MoWC, we went from serving two adult All-Ability groups with 17 clients in Fiscal Year 2017 to working with 19 groups delivering programs to 122 clients. This is an area that the team at the John Brown House Museum is just beginning to explore,
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ROBINSON RESEARCH CENTER NEWS Richard Ring, Executive Deputy Director for Collections and Interpretation Our sharp-eyed members may have caught the front-page Providence Journal coverage of a very successful program at Roger Williams University on April 9, which included a staff-chaperoned showing of two original letters written in 1639 by Roger Williams from the RIHS collections. Professor Charlotte Carrington-Farmer, who teaches history at RWU, asked her students to transcribe the letters using quill pens and digital copies, but having the actual letters present proved tremendously engaging to everyone. The event was inspired by our series of “Throwback Thursdays” showings of Williams letters at the Roger Williams National Memorial. On April 21, we kicked off another year of our genealogy workshop series in collaboration with the Providence Public Library called “Diggin’ Your Roots.” There will be five events in all, including a “genealogy marketplace” that will be hosted at the Aldrich House on October 20 – where representatives from several institutions and genealogical societies will exhibit information and publications, and answer questions. You can find out more at www.RIHS.org/ genealogy. Michelle Chiles, Research Center Manager, has curated a small display related to the Girls’ City Club of Providence that is currently on view in the foyer of the RRC; a version of it will also be installed with our newly implemented system in the window display case of the Arcade in downtown Providence (facing Westminster Street). We have inaugurated this system with a display promoting the feature article in the next issue of Rhode Island History by Charlotte Carrington-Farmer on the Narragansett Pacer, the first truly American breed of horse, which was famous in the 17th and 18th centuries from Boston to the Caribbean. Collections News The RIHS recently acquired several items of interest from the antiquarian book trade, too many to describe (or even list) here, but among them is a letter from Carrington P. Slade to his mother in Bristol, dated 7 February 1864. Slade (1845-1918) was a free black Rhode Island-born sailor who was writing from aboard the U.S.S. Housatonic off the coast of Charleston, S.C. He had enlisted in the Navy on July 9, 1863, in New York City, where his occupation (“laborer/waiter”) and his complexion (“negro”) are recorded. Librarian Phoebe Bean will be publishing a full
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transcription of the letter along with some of her research on Slade’s life and career very soon on the collections blog. As usual, recent gifts to the collection are legion – but a few merit specific mention. The first is the professional archive (papers and drawings) of Newport-based architect Richard R. Long, who passed away on February 21, 2017. A former U.S. Navy captain from Massachusetts, he met and married his wife at RISD in 1960, and settled in Rhode Island. After working for some time as the principal architect for the Restoration Foundation of Newport, he opened his own practice; the many Newport structures he designed or restored include the Travers Block building on Bellevue Avenue, the Three Sisters on Wellington Avenue, the Island Surf and Sport building on Aquidneck Avenue, and the renovation of the Chanler at Cliff Walk, a luxury hotel. The second major collection gift is a corpus of papers, photographs, ledgers, and other records of the Nicholson File Company, a major manufacturing firm in Providence founded by William Thomas Nicholson (1834-1893) in 1864. This gift from the Nicholson family triples the volume of records we own for this company, which was in business from 1864 to 1972, when it merged with Cooper Industries. We offer our condolences to the Nicholson family for the passing of Paul Nicholson, a longtime member of the RIHS.
SPOTLIGHT ON OUR SUPPORTERS MICHAEL EADIE Shawn Badgley, Communications Manager Michael, many members reading this have probably seen you at our events, but may have never been properly introduced. Will you tell folks a bit about yourself? I live in Bristol with my wife, Maria, and 9-year-old son, Henry. I come from nearby in Massachusetts, but lived most of my professional life in Boston, where I held sales and marketing roles in technology companies. I work at the Washington Trust Company in the wealth management division, where I am the vice president of sales and marketing support. Although my family name is Scottish, I am three quarters French. I grew up in a neighborhood where people still spoke French, and that intrigued me enough to study in Paris and get a degree in French. I am very active in French Canadian civic groups and have recently been named to the board of the Boivin Center at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Not to let the Scottish side of my family down, I am a bagpiper with the Rhode Highlanders Pipe Band. When did you get involved with the Rhode Island Historical Society? What drew you? With which tenets of our mission do you most identify? My former colleague, Peter Miniati, introduced me to the RIHS and recommended that I consider joining the board. I have been an avid follower of history since I was a child, and the focus on local history struck a chord with me. The emphasis that the RIHS places on education is very special to me. While I wasn’t always the best student, I look back fondly at history professors in high school and college that brought the material to life in class. Living in the East Bay,
it’s a pleasure to read about our state’s colorful history and then visit those sites for myself. As a trustee, member, and donor who actively participates in RIHS fundraising and public programs, what aspects of your experience drive you to continue giving of your time and resources? It’s the people! I can’t remember the last time that I met a more can-do, positive group of people so dedicated to their organization and mission. The programs that the RIHS creates help to educate and inspire new generations of Rhode Islanders. Watching children learning about local history is exciting, and as a father this resonates with me when I see my own son asking questions about the state and our history. Are there any areas you look forward to focusing on as part of your efforts here? Where would you like to see the RIHS get stronger? I very much want to put my marketing experience and skills to work on the development committee of the board. I can’t wait to work with Lauren Jordan (see p. 11).
“WHAT STORY DO I WANT TO SHARE?”
Executive Director C. Morgan Grefe wrote a children’s book! Central Falls: The World in One Square Mile was released on June 15. “Part of your job after reading this book is to say ‘What story do I want to share?,” she told students from the Learning Community and Ella Risk Elementary. “That’s what makes this place so special. We’re from all over the world, and we’re right here as neighbors and friends, and we get to learn from each other and tell these stories.” History education and access is a major part of our mission. As our fiscal year ends, will you contribute to our annual fund and help us reach even more kids across the state? The story we want to share is Rhode Island’s, and your support makes that possible. We’ve included an envelope in this issue. Every dollar counts – thank you!
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MUSEUM OF WORK & CULTURE Sarah Carr, Assistant Director, Museum of Work & Culture
This past year has been an exciting time at the MoWC: we have grown not only in terms of attendance, but in mission, as well.
MoWC to seniors throughout the country who are unable to leave their homes.
By the end of June, the MoWC is expected to have welcomed nearly 10,000 individuals through tours, educational and public programs, general admission, and partner events. This will be a 12% increase from last year’s attendance, and the first time the MoWC has seen numbers this high in more than a decade. This includes more than 3,700 visitors under the age of 18 who have had the opportunity to learn about our state’s immigration and labor history, a 22% increase from last year. We were also pleased to welcome visitors from 38 states and 23 foreign nations, with our visitors from Thailand traveling the farthest to tour the MoWC.
FALL 2017
The number of public programs and special events we offered increased by 36%, with 69 total events presented at the MoWC during the course of the year. We also welcomed 109 tours, a 36% increase. This growth would not have been possible without an ever-expanding group of extraordinary volunteers who welcome visitors, guide tours, and keep our programs running smoothly. This year our team of 26 dedicated volunteers gave more than 1,200 hours of their time to the MoWC. Each quarter we set out to improve our reach by working with new community partners, identifying underserved audiences, and building on a foundation of past successes.
SUMMER 2017
We have expanded our All Ability programming, and, with the support of CVS Health Charities Classic grant, we relaunched “Made-to-Order Mondays,” offering art and music therapy activities for children on the autism spectrum. We offered bi-weekly therapist-led activities, which allowed children to creatively engage in the MoWC’s historical themes. This culminated in a partnership with Rhode Island PBS and Sesame Street, which brought Walkaround Julia to the Museum’s Labor Day Open House. Julia is Sesame Street’s newest character and is a sweet 4-year-old with autism. More than 90 children had the opportunity to meet Julia and every child received a storybook courtesy of Sesame Street. The MoWC also worked with the national agency, Senior Center Without Walls, to provide a virtual tour of the
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The primary focus of this fall was the celebration of the MoWC’s 20th Anniversary. We were thrilled to host multiple events in honor of the milestone, including a Donor Appreciation, a Volunteer Appreciation, the RIHS’s 196th Annual Meeting, and the MoWC’s 20th Anniversary Gala. It was at the Gala that we unveiled the project that had been three years in the making, Mills Along the Blackstone: Locally Made, Internationally Known. This new permanent exhibit features our Mill Memory Bank, a registration of mill workers from across the state, as well as our interactive table that tracks the geographical transformation of Woonsocket over 200 years and the history of the city’s most significant mill sites.
WINTER 2018
This winter was marked by the return of three of our most popular programming series: Valley Talks, Moveable Feasts, and Francophonie. These series consisted of 19 public programs and special events, including our sell-out 2nd Annual Best Poutine Competition.
SPRING 2018
When attending the conference of the Francophone and Francophile Cities of North America last summer, member cities were tasked with creating cultural heritage routes for their regions. The MoWC set about securing an intern from France to assist us with this work, and were thrilled to host Aurélie Mejahdi for three months. Together we were able to organize the first route in the United States. The Franco Route of New England links Woonsocket, Manchester, NH, Biddeford, ME, and Lewiston, ME. This trail will give the Canadian and American public the opportunity to explore our regions rich industrial and French Canadian heritage. In April, the MoWC hosted the first meeting of the member cities, and in May we led the second meeting in Manchester, N.H. It is our hope to organize an initial “reconnaissance trip” of the trail for stakeholders in the fall of 2018.
HISTORY EDUCATION GOFF CENTER FOR EDUCATION & PUBLIC PROGRAMS Geralyn Ducady, Director, Newell D. Goff Center for Education and Public Programs
The Goff Center for Education and Public Programs continues its work to make RIHS sites more accessible. Staff from all of our public sites attended a two-hour workshop and training with the Autism Project to learn how to work with visitors and children who are on the autism spectrum, continuing work that the staff of the Museum of Work & Culture started a number of years ago. Given the success of the programming and tools at the MoWC, the John Brown House Museum has developed free tools available for visitors on the spectrum. A “social story,” a tool which can help individuals with autism and their families prepare for their museum experience, is now available at www. RIHS.org/johnbrown-house. Summer interns will translate existing written tour guides for the John Brown House Museum into German and Korean (we currently offer a written guide in Spanish, as well). Our spring semester interns, Julia Turgeon of Stonehill College and Drew Hazen of URI, conducted research for our K-12 programs. The Goff Center would like to welcome new staff members, Samantha Hunter, Education Outreach Manager, and Ellary Gamache, Visitor Services & Logistics Manager at the John Brown House Museum. Samantha comes to us with a strong background in museum education and has done work most recently at the Lippitt House Museum, the Concord Museum, and the Worcester Historical Museum. She has her Master of Arts in Public History from American University in D.C. Before joining the team at the John Brown House Museum, Ellary Gamache spent almost a year at our Robinson Research Center. She has developed training programs and has organized volunteers at the University of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency including during the flood
of 2010. Ellary's educational background is in anthropology and geography with coursework in museum studies, art history, and anthropological research methods. Changes are coming to the John Brown House Museum’s admissions area. We will be converting the area into a Visitor Experience Center with a hands-on interactive interpretation space introducing visitors to the museum and to the history of Providence. Watch our weekly email newsletter for more information as the space is developed. The RIHS, the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society, and the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission 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. This meeting will take place on July 11, 5:30pm, at the Congdon Street Baptist Church at 17 Congdon Street in Providence. The work is supported by a $49,557.76 grant from the National Park Service through its African American Civil Rights Grant Program, which assists projects that “document, interpret, and preserve the sites and stories related to the African American struggle to gain equal rights as citizens in the 20th Century.” Rhode Island’s proposal was one of only 39 projects in 20 states to be funded by the competitive grant program in 2017. The public meeting marks the winding down of Phase 1 of the multi-part project. In the first phase, RIBHS researchers conducted oral history interviews, studied primary and secondary sources, and produced an exhaustive study of the state’s 20th-century African American Civil Rights history. Keith Stokes, project consultant for Phase 1, will share some of his discoveries about historical trends relating to civil rights in Rhode Island’s workplaces, educational institutions, government, housing, and public spaces.
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SPRING FORWARD: MIDWAY MEMORIES
SPRING FORWARD . . . THINK BACK
On May 10, hundreds came to the Aldrich House for Spring Forward … Think Back: Midway Memories, the RIHS’s annual fundraising gala that this year celebrated Rhode Island amusement parks as part of the RIHS programming theme “R&R in R.I.” Thank you so much to our members and friends, as well as to our many community partners, for your support.
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Special thanks to our lead supporter, Amica Companies Foundation, and to the sponsors that helped make the event possible: Bottles Fine Wine, Bank of America, AB
Bernstein, Esten & Richard Agency, Dominion Energy, Mandel & Tracy Certified Public Accountants, Brewster Thornton Group Architects, Narragansett Beer, Van Liew Trust Company, AAA Northeast, and Partridge Snow & Hahn, Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Jennifer Baker, Dr. Winifred E. Brownell, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Calandrelli, Dr. George M. and Mrs. Betsey Goodwin, Dr. Kathleen and Mr. Barry Hittner, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Logan, Mr. James P. Loring, Mr. and Mrs. Frank and Elizabeth R. Mauran IV, Mr. and Mrs. Bob and Cathi Sloan, and Dr. Kathy and Dr. Luther Spoehr. Photos by Judith Potter, J.D. Kay, and Shawn Badgley
WHAT CHEER DAY 2018
WHAT CHEER DAY: LIFE AFTER THE GASPEE AFFAIR
How did Rhode Islanders reckon with the consequences of the Gaspee Affair in the days after the destruction of the infamous customs schooner? Hundreds of history lovers found out on June 2 at What Cheer Day, which featured dozens of costumed interpreters plus family-friendly games, crafts, and even virtual reality in the John Brown House Museum! The afternoon was a joint History Space event presented in partnership with the Newport Historical Society. Photos by J.D. Kay.
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PROVIDENCE PROGRAMS
MOWC PROGRAMS
Second Saturdays (April-August), 9am - 10am
July 9 & 23 and August 6 & 20 (Activity times will vary)
Family-friendly, hands-on activities connect children to life as it was lived 200 years at the John Brown House Museum.
Join us for a series of activities (including filling éclairs period music, and more) designed to help children and pre-teens with autism and other sensory sensitivities engage creatively with the MoWC’s themes. For more info and to register, contact mowc@rihs.org.
MORNINGS AT THE MUSEUM
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday, 10am - 11:30am June 15 – October 31
BENEFIT STREET: A MILE OF HISTORY
Created in the mid-18th century “for the benefit of all,” this thoroughfare boasts an enviable collection of historic structure. August 18, 11am - 12:30pm Saturday & Sunday, October 20 & 21, 12:00pm - 1:30pm
H.P. LOVECRAFT: A LITERARY LIFE WALKING TOUR
Explore Providence through this legendary author’s eyes as we connect passages from his work to East Side sites. August 23, 6pm - 7:30pm, Aldrich House
SUMMER RECREATION SITES WITHIN THE RHODE ISLAND JEWISH COMMUINTY A panel of speakers reflect on favorite vacation spots, including summer camps, country clubs, and beaches, that Rhode Island’s Jewish community enjoyed throughout the 20th century.
June 24, July 22, & August 19, 1:30pm
OPEN ARTIST DISCUSSIONS
Local artist Ron Deziel leads an open discussion related to his retrospective exhibit, Through the Decades. August 9
RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Enjoy our annual screening of French language short films from around the world and vote for your favorite. September 2
LABOR DAY OPEN HOUSE
Join the MoWC for our 20th Annual Labor Day Open House, featuring a day of free public programs. September 21, 6pm Cocktails, 7pm Dinner
DINING IN THE DARK
August 25, 11am - 12:30pm
PERSONALLY PAWTUCKET
This brand-new tour—a collaboration with the Preservation Society of Pawtucket—explores a bustling city with a rich history and a bright future. September 15, 11am - 12:30pm
HURRICANE OF 1938: 80th ANNIVERSARY
This walking tour traces the history of the storm that took Rhode Island by surprise and devastated downtown Providence. September 27, 6pm -7pm, Aldrich House
“YOU WILL FIND IT HANDY”: RHODE ISLAND’S LISTINGS IN THE NEGRO MOTORIST GREEN-BOOK
Architectural historian Dr. Catherine Zipf speaks about Rhode Island’s listings in The Negro Travelers’ Green Book, a pre-Civil Rights Era travel guide created for African American motorists to vacation throughout the United States. September 29, 10am - 12pm, Portsmouth Free Public Library
GENEALOGY WORKSHOP
Join PPL Librarian Kate Wells and RIHS Special Collections Research Associate Jennifer Galpern for our traveling Diggin’ Your Roots genealogical workshop.
Have you ever wondered how your senses would react while eating dinner in complete darkness? Find out this unique sensory experience at Pomodoro’s Restaurant. $60/person; proceeds will go towards adapting our museums with devices to assist visitors with visual and hearing impairments. Watch the email newsletter for ticketing information. October 13, 10am & 1pm
AMERICAN GIRL BAKING CLASS
Fill and frost éclairs with Wright’s Dairy Farm and your favorite American Girl Doll. Participants will receive an apron and chef ’s hat. Watch the email newsletter for ticketing information.
CONCERTS UNDER THE ELMS June 21
CAJUN HOBOS
Baby’s Bonetown BBQ June 28
October 20, 10am - 12pm, Aldrich House
GENEALOGY MARKETPLACE
“Shop” historical societies, public libraries, and other cultural heritage sites and explore the state’s rich genealogical resources. August 14-18
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
Free admission for teachers to our museums & research center. Open hours vary by location; check www.RIHS.org for details. September 22, 10am - 4pm
SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM DAY LIVE!
Free admission at both of our museums!
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MADE-TO-ORDER MONDAYS
FOR MORE INF0, VISIT US AT WWW.RIHS.ORG.
July 19
THE BECKY CHACE BAND
Baby’s Bonetown BBQ
THE AMERICAN BAND
July 26
July 5
Fugo
Incred-A-Bowl
THE DUKE ROBILLARD BAND*
THE NICKEL JUKEBOX BAND
Bugg’d Out BBQ
August 2
July 12
Incred-A-Bowl
STEVE SMITH & THE NAKEDS Fugo
THE DRIFTWOODS*
RAIN DATES: AUGUST 9 and AUGUST 16
Shows begin at 6:30PM; John Brown House Lawn, 52 Power St., PVD $10 Admission
FREE FOR RIHS MEMBERS & KIDS UNDER 12 Coolers Allowed; No Pets, Please *Free Museum Entry/Exhibit, 6-8PM Weather Updates: 401-331-8575 x133
STAFF NEWS INTRODUCING LAUREN JORDAN DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT
The Rhode Island Historical Society is thrilled to announce Lauren Jordan as the organization’s new Director of Advancement. With almost two decades in fundraising for educational institutions and nonprofits, Jordan brings significant experience to the role. In the weeks leading up to her start in mid-June, she took some time to answer a few questions about what brought her to the field – and to the organization. – Shawn Badgley, Communications Manager
donors to continue their loyal commitment and gain a better understanding of the important work that the RIHS does every day.
Can you tell RIHS members about yourself, in terms of both your personal and professional background?
During a rigorous interview process, as well as after you accepted the position, you had the opportunity to meet several staffers, trustees, and donors, in addition to touring venues and attending events. What stood out to you?
I grew up right outside of Boston and attended Bryant University, where I met my husband. We currently live in his hometown of North Kingstown. We have a 9-year-old son, Eleroe, who is a huge basketball fan! While I was at Bryant, I worked as a student in the Advancement Office for the Vice President. I filed, helped with special event logistics, updated the donor database, and even did some prospect research. By the time I was a senior, I was writing solicitation and thank you letters. Without this experience at business school, I may not have entered the nonprofit world. I went on to work at Wellesley College, Providence College, and Johnson & Wales University. Most recently, I was Associate Director of Development at the Gordon School. Each position has afforded me the opportunity to gain experience in a different focus of development. After 17 years in this field, I am still learning and growing as a professional. When time permits, I enjoy writing as my creative outlet. My pieces have been published on parenting blogs and focus mostly on adoption and parenting a child of color. What drew you to the Rhode Island Historical Society? I have always loved history. Our understanding of the past helps create a better future. I was drawn to the mission and work of the RIHS, which speaks to all Rhode Islanders about our shared history. I appreciate that the RIHS is committed to telling the stories of all who have lived here and bringing these stories to schools and the greater community. I am so impressed by the Field Trip Free for All program, which makes history accessible for more students in Rhode Island. I have watched my own third-grader become increasingly interested in the history of Rhode Island through his studies of Roger Williams, the Narragansett tribe, and our local landmarks and memorials. His enthusiasm and interest have been contagious. Even more so, his ability to use history as a context for current events reinforces for me its significance for the next generation of empathetic leaders. Might you discuss a few things you’re looking forward to tackling as you get started? My first task is getting to know the RIHS community. I will be reaching out to supporters, members, and colleagues to learn how we can increase support of RIHS to further the mission. I want to know what motivates our members and
I look forward to creating strong partnerships and collaborations with my colleagues and members of the board of trustees. Multiple perspectives can bring new, creative ideas for outreach and support.
I am amazed by the positive energy and enthusiasm of the RIHS community. So many staff members, trustees, and donors have been part of this organization for many years, and their commitment to the mission and growth of the RIHS is very evident. It is exciting to join such a positive organization that continues to create new, innovative ways to honor and share the past. Do you have a favorite Rhode Island historical figure or period? I attended elementary school across from the Paul Revere House right on the Freedom Trail. I am an expert on the history of Boston but knew very little about Rhode Island history when I moved here after college. My husband proudly revealed to me that he is related to Roger Williams, so I feel obligated to mention him. Of course, I admire Roger Williams for his courage in seeking religious freedom, his commitment to fairness and equity, and his leadership in Rhode Island history. I am also extremely interested in African American history in Rhode Island and I look forward to learning more. What would you like members, donors, and supporters to know when it comes to your approach? Fundraising is all about relationships, and it is the main reason why I love what I do. I am particularly drawn to building relationships within a community to advance the mission. I believe in transparency, open communication, and collaboration. I see the relationship between members and supporters and an organization as a partnership. I look forward to playing an enthusiastic role in nurturing that partnership at the RIHS.
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IMAGE: “ON BLOCK ISLAND,” ca. 1890, RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY COLLECTIONS, RHi X17 2401.