NOTE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

by C. Morgan Grefe, Ph.D., Executive Director

I’ve never been one to seek out conferences. While I love the camaraderie and the chance to connect with my far-flung peers, it often feels that most of the time is spent sitting through unchanging panel discussions about the challenges our industry has faced for decades.

So, I wasn’t overly enthusiastic when I received an invitation to the Virginia 250th conference, the first national gathering of organizations from across the country to share their state’s plans for the upcoming semiquincentennial in 2026.

Virginia? Why would I go all the way to Virginia when RI has more than enough Revolutionary history? But, I realized I needed to break from my comfortable, Rhode Island sentiments of “What, you think you got something better over there?” and find a way to head down to Colonial Williamsburg

For many other reasons, though, I was excited to go to Colonial Williamsburg again. The last time I immersed myself in the experience was on my high school senior class trip. I won’t go into much detail, but suffice it to say, I have far more memories of the roller coasters at Busch Gardens, than of the historic village. This time I would be traveling with my frequent “partner in history,” Rick Ring, our Deputy Executive Director of Collections & Interpretation. When we set off on our drive my expectations for the weekend were not high, I would return unable to stop talking about a weekend that was nothing short of extraordinary.

You’re probably thinking, how could a rout history conference be extraordinary? Easy significant funding for Virginia’s 250th commission and the all-out, over-the-top hospitality of Colonial Williamsburg.

Unlike your typical banquet chicken, our fi night included a five-course meal, served f style, consisting of period recipes from Jefferson’s collections We were also welco by Colonial Williamsburg’s Foundation’s C Carly Fiorina, better known as the first fem CEO of Hewlett-Packard and former presidential primary candidate.

The next day we heard from experts who h been surveying and assessing the American public about their feelings on the impendin anniversary, as well as leaders of museums sites related to the Revolution. We then w on special private tours with CW staff and trustees.

Saturday night’s programs, however, made everything else look like child’s play The guests met in the hall of the Williamsburg Lodge and processed to the Governor’s Palace accompanied by a fife and drum corps. Upon arriving at the palace, there were more musicians and lighted braziers guiding us in. We proceeded through the palace and into the gardens where we were met by a young “Jefferson” and other interpreters, as well as a tent for 400 in which to dine. Again, we were treated to another historically-inspired meal,

Historic Sites And Museums

After dinner, not quite sure what could be better than what had just happened, we went back into the garden and there began a private fireworks display for our group. While we had all been chatting in small groups, we now fell silent and took in a truly remarkable display and as I stood there I realized that while I often feel appreciated for what I, we do, I rarely feel celebrated. That night, I did.

The celebratory air had stilled the next morning, and as we all reckoned with eating so very much food, we heard from retired Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy and Jeffrey Rosen, the President and CEO of the National Constitution Center and Georgetown Law professor who is currently writing a book on the enlightenment ideal of happiness.

There were other meals and talks, including a wonderful session during which we heard about what is happening, or not, in other states–35 of which have commissions.

The final program of the weekend required us to go into the village and hear from Richard Henry Lee. While Rick and I were going to leave early because of the very long drive in front of us, Rick indulged me when I asked to attend this final spectacle I am so glad I did Lee delivered an impassioned speech about the need to form a committee of correspondence in March of 1773. What was the impetus, you ask? It was the burning of the British revenue Schooner, the Gaspee, in the waters off of Rhode Island. The denial of due process and the treatment of the accused assailants could not stand, he contended, and when they received verification from Sam Adams that the accounts written in the Virginia Gazette were true, the leaders of Virginia were moved to act.

In a brief moment of glory, the folks from Massachusetts patted me on the back. Even some of the trustees congratulated me. For what happened 250 years ago? No, for our work to make sure that we always strive to understand the complexity of the past–that for every event that is remembered and commemorated throughout the country, there were dozens of actions that occurred on a smaller stage, but still had ripples It was not one monumental act that led to the revolution, but rather many small acts that demonstrated and catalyzed the radicalization of the colonists and emboldened them to act on a larger stage.

This “Common Cause for All” was not a call for Revolution 250 years after our first one. No, these were folks focused on bettering the nation through civic and historical engagement, not war. This time, the common cause was to seek ways to tell a fuller story, one that doesn’t simply celebrate the pastness of the past, but rather examines the promises of the earlier days and shows how our work is still needed if those original vows are ever to be fulfilled

For more information about Rhode Island's plans for the semiquincentennial visit rhodeisland250.org

by Anne Conway, MoWC Director & Deborah Krieger, MoWC Exhibit & Program Coordinator

Mishpakha: Jewish History of Woonsocket is the latest exhibition in the Museum of Work & Culture's gallery. Developed by Exhibit & Program Coordinator Deborah Krieger and supported by volunteer research assistant Kathryn Sos-Hayda, Mishpakha explores stories from Woonsocket’s Jewish community, sharing and celebrating local narratives of worship, entrepreneurship, and social life.

The exhibit takes its name from the Hebrew word that translates to “family,” but Mishpakha means much more than biological families and blood relations. Rather, it can be thought of as “kin” -- those who are part of our community, our closest friends, those we can count on for anything, and the kind of people we want to have at our table to celebrate the coming of the new year.

Beginning in the 1860s with a German-born peddler, Woonsocket soon became a hub for Jewish immigrants in Northern Rhode Island, boasting a thriving Jewish population of over 200 families. By most accounts, they were a tight-knit group that was a crucial thread of the fabric of the bustling textile city. Jewish-owned businesses occupied every aspect of Woonsocket life from kosher delis to mills.

Woonsocket’s Jewish community struggled to become part of the tapestry of the city of FrenchCanadian Catholics and other immigrant communities, facing prejudice and intolerance from those who saw difference as a threat.

Despite these difficulties, over one hundred Jewish Woonsocketers served their country in both World Wars, with their families volunteering on the homefront.

Due to the deep ties they had to each other and their heritage, as well as their faith, the Jewish community persevered and was ultimately welcomed, creating something certainly worth celebrating and remembering

It was this spirit that Krieger hopes the exhibit, which will be on display through August 26, captures After months of interviews, writing, and designing the exhibit, she is excited that the moment has arrived when others can see the stories that have been inspiring her for themselves

"Growing up Jewish in Los Angeles, I always felt surrounded by a visible and vibrant community," said Krieger "In Woonsocket, the history of the Jewish community is much less well known, but Jewish residents of the city were incredibly vital to Woonsocket's development over the twentieth century I wanted to share stories from this wonderful, tight-knit group--this 'mishpakha,' this family ”