NHS, in collaboration with Salve Regina University, will host Gerald M. Carbone, author of Nathanael Greene: A Biography of the American Revolution (Palgrave Macmillan 2010), for a 6pm program on Thursday October 21, 2010.
Without Rhode Island-born general Nathanael Greene there would be no United States of America, for without Greene America would have lost the Revolution. Despite Greene’s key role in the founding of the United States his story is now little known, even in his native state of Rhode Island.
Biographer Gerald M. Carbone, a former journalist for the Providence Journal, will share Greene’s story, how he rose from being the bookish, asthmatic, gimp-kneed son of a Quaker to a general of genius who saved the American Revolution. Carbone will also discuss the Battle of Rhode Island, where Greene commanded the First Rhode Island Regiment comprised of freed slaves in repulsing British and Hessian attacks on the American lines at Portsmouth.
The Washington Times calls this biography, “engaging.” Publisher’s Weekly describes his work as a, “lively chronicle” and “well-researched.” He received two of American journalism’s most prestigious prizes—The American Society of Newspaper Editors Distinguished Writing Award and a John S. Knight Fellowship at Stanford University. He also authored Washington: Lessons in Leadership (Palgrave Macmillan 2009).
This program will take place at 6pm at Salve Regina University’s Antone Academic Center (formerly Mercy Hall), located at the corner of Leroy and Lawrence Avenues, in the DiStefano Lecture Hall which is just inside the doorway to the right. Parking is available across the street in the Wakehurst parking lot, accessed on both Leroy and Lawrence Avenues. Admission is free; donations are welcome. A book signing will follow the hour-long lecture.
Matthew Brenckle will discuss Suited for Sea: US Navy Enlisted Uniforms During the War of 1812 for an evening lecture about early American naval uniforms on Thursday November 4, 2010 at 6pm at the Colony House on Washington Square.
For years, novelists, film directors, reenactors and a fair number of historians have argued that the seamen who served in the early American navy were free to clothe themselves as they chose, with little regard for uniformity. Unfortunately, this is just another myth of the early navy. Senior officers, determined to shape public perception of the fledgling fleet, imposed strict uniform requirements on the men under their command. New research reveals that the Navy had a sophisticated procurement system to provide sailors with affordable, well-made clothing, even at the height of the war. Matthew Brenckle presents the myth-shattering results of ten years of research into Federal-era sailor clothing.
Matthew Brenckle is the coauthor of the forthcoming book Sailor Clothing in Britain and America, 1750-1820 (Scurlock Publishing). For more than twelve years he has examined the clothing of the laboring classes during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a study enhanced by his careful reproduction of original hats and garments. Matthew holds degrees in archaeology and maritime history from Brown University and East Carolina University. He currently works as the research coordinator at the USS Constitution Museum in Charlestown.
Admission costs $5 per person, $1 for NHS members. Reservations requested. Persons with mobility issues should call in advance. 401-841-8770
Kathryn Allamong Jacob, author of King of the Lobby: The Life and Times of Sam Ward, Man-About-Washington in the Gilded Age (Johns Hopkins UP 2009), for an evening presentation on Thursday September 23rd at 6pm at the Colony House on Washington Square.
King of the Lobby tells how Sam Ward, a colorful character with a Newport connection and brother to Julia Ward Howe, harnessed delicious food, fine wine and good conversation to become the most influential lobbyist of the Gilded Age. Scion of an old and honorable family, best friend of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and charming man-about-Washington, D.C., Ward lived by the motto that the shortest route between a pending bill and a congressman’s “aye” was through his stomach, he elegantly entertained political elites in return for their votes.
At a time when waves of scandal washed over Washington, D.C., the popular press railed against the wickedness of the lobby, and self-righteous politicians predicted that special interests would cause the downfall of democratic government, Sam Ward still reigned supreme. By the early 1870s, he had earned the title “King of the Lobby” and the style of lobbying he cultivated is alive today.
The Wall Street Journal writes that, “Jacob’s trim and surprising biography brilliantly shows how, in the hands of a master, lobbying can be lifted to the level of art.” The Washington Post commented that, “[Sam Ward] was an immensely able, influential and engaging character who has been rescued from obscurity by Kathryn Allamong Jacob.”
General admission costs $5 per person, $1 for Newport Historical Society members. Reservations requested; persons with mobility issues should call in advance. 401-841-8770 A book signing will follow the presentation.
The Museum & Shop at Brick Market will host a Fall Trunk Show with Newport designer Jessica Hagen-Hill, owner of Jessica Hagen Fine Art + Design. The show will feature Jessica’s handmade jewelry. Necklaces and bracelets will be showcased, each made by hand from semi-precious gemstones and crystal. Select pieces are vintage-inspired.
Jessica Hagen-Hill is the owner and director of Jessica Hagen Fine Art + Design. Located at 226 Bellevue Avenue in Newport, Rhode Island, the gallery features new works by local and regional artists that range in style from Abstractionism to Realism. As Director, Jessica curates the gallery’s collection of painting, sculpture, glass and jewelry and, an artist herself, she also exhibits her own paintings and jewelry. Additionally Jessica currently serves on the board of the Newport Historical Society.
August 13- 15, 2010
Presenting Sponsor: William Vareika Fine Arts, Ltd.
Preview Party Sponsor: Brown Brothers Harriman
At St. George’s School in Middletown, the Newport Antiques Show brings the country’s leading antiques dealers to Rhode Island in an event which supports the Historical Society and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Newport County.
Gala Preview Party: Friday, August 13, 6 – 9PM
Tickets for the Preview Gala will be available by phone at 401-846-0831 through noon on Friday. After that time, please plan to buy your tickets at the door.
www.newportantiquesshow.com
Hold Fast: Newport’s Enduring Bond with the Sea
At the Newport County Visitor’s Center (Gateway)
23 America’s Cup Avenue, Newport
Daily, 9AM – 5PM
This exhibit offers visitors to this City a reminder that Newport’s story begins before the American Revolution and continues to develop today. A glimpse of how the sea has been integral to our history is combined with suggestions of “Where to Go From Here.”
Tooth and Bone: Scrimshaw and Minature Paintings from the Collections
At the Newport Antiques Show
August 13 – 15th only
St. George’s School, Purgatory Road, Middletown, RI
Weekend admission to Show: $12
The 2010 Newport Antiques Show will include an exhibit featuring exquisite minaiture paintings, including four by Edward Greene Malbone, and scrimshaw items from the NHS collections. The scrimshaw includes portraits of John and Henrietta DeBlois, a Newport couple who shared a three year whaling voyage. Curated by Jeffrey Egan, NHS summer intern.
Dressing Manifest Destiny: Men’s Clothing in America 1800-1850, an exhibit from Historical Society collections, opens in the restored 1730 Seventh Day Baptist Meeting House Saturday July 31st from 1-3pm. Refreshments will be served. Click here to view the invitation.
Dressing Manifest Destiny examines changes in men’s clothing during a time when masculine dress began to resemble what is worn formally today. The exhibit showcases some of the finest pieces of early 19th century men’s clothing and accessories in the collections. Articles on display range from working clothing, formal wear, and military dress. Images include daguerretypes and portraiture reflecting men’s dress of the time. Curated by NHS summer interns Matthew Keagle and Charlotte Wolfe.
The Seventh Day Baptist Meeting House is located in the Newport Historical Society headquarters building at 82 Touro Street, Newport, RI.
Exhibit hours after the 31st are M-F 11-3; admission is by donation.
The Newport Historical Society will reprise a new tour featuring the history of the French in Newport during the American Revolution. On Wednesday August 11th at 11:30am, learn about the French occupation of Newport and the role the French played during the American Revolution.
Tour departs from the Museum & Shop at Brick Market, 127 Thames Street, Newport, RI. Reservations required as space is very limited. 401-841-8770 Tour costs $12 per person, $10 for Newport Historical Society members.
Step back in time to Newport in 1813 as the young nation recruits for the War of 1812. The Newport History Society will host a 19th century living history program on Saturday July 31, 2010 from 11am to 1pm at the 1739 Colony House on Washington Square.
Visitors will meet a group of first person historic interpreters portraying an 1813 recruiting station for the War of 1812 against Britain. A 19th century recruiting officer will ask the visitors-turned-naval-recruits a series of historically based questions to learn if they would make good sailors. An officer or surgeon’s mate will “examine” the recruits. When they pass muster, they will sign shipping papers, receive a “cash bounty” (facsimile period money) and told where and when to report for duty.
“Many living history events do not actively engage the public,” explains Matthew Brenckle who portray a recruiting officer. “This program aims to change that by encouraging visitors to take a central role.”
Admission costs $1 per person, $5 maximum for families and is free for Newport Historical Society members.
