In recognition of the 150th anniversary of the date that the Emanicaption Proclamation went into effect, former Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court Frank Williams will trace the legal status of African Americans from the time before the Emancipation Proclamation to the present. This program is part of a series of programs commemorating […]
Jason Mancini, researcher, Mashantucket Pequot Museum, will speak on his research of the various local Indian tribes' mapping project and significance in Westerly, and Westerly’s north end development after 1910. Sponsored by the Westerly Historical Society.
Linda Welters, Professor and Textile Department co-chair at the University of Rhode Island, will speak on the history of Rhode Island quilts. Sponsored by the Westerly Historical Society.
Although it is not true, many people believe that when Lincoln met Harriet Beecher Stowe, he said, “So this is the little lady that started this great war.” It is true, however, that this novel helped lay the ground work for the Civil War. Presented by Ellen Madison whose doctoral dissertation was on Uncle Tom’s […]
Scott Molloy, Professor of Labor Relations at the University of Rhode Island and historian, will speak on “Hidden Rhode Island History”. Sponsored by the Westerly Historical Society.
Les Rolston, author of several books on Civil War "ordinary people who do extraordinary things" will present a program based on his book Long Time Gone: Neighbors Divided by Civil War. It is an epic story of two young Rhode Islanders—boyhood friends from the sleepy seaside village of Pawtuxet—who as teenagers fought in the Civil […]
Edie Clark has written extensively about New England in award-winning feature stories and columns for Yankee magazine for more than thirty years. Through the 1980s and the 1990s, she was Senior Editor for Yankee magazine. She has taught at several colleges. Among her many books are Monadnock Tales, a long narrative poem about Mt. Monadnock; […]
Cpl. V. E. Johnson, Battery C, First Rhode Island Light Artillery will focus on the battle of Little Round Top and the three Union officers whose heroic actions turned the tide: General John Buford, General George S. Greene of Rhode Island, and LTC Joshua Chamberlain, whose famous and creative manuver on Little Round Top prevented […]
Granite historian Linda Smith Chaffee will examine the monuments from Westerly that commemorate this pivotal battle of the Civil War. Hear the stories that the monuments tell. Appreciate the skill of the statue cutters in capturing emotions. At the Carriage House. Non-members $2.00; members free
The Museum's docents have scheduled another of their very popular summer Doll Teas on July 17 this year. Guests bring their favorite dolls for a lovely afternoon tea in the Carriage House and a bit of history. Apart from providing the delicious desserts, docents take our guests on a short tour of the house including […]
In the third of a series of programs combining an account of a Civil War battle and the role that the Westerly granite industry played in commemorating that battle, Cpl. V. E. Johnson will discuss the Battle of Chickamauga, the site of the largest Union defeat in the western theater of the war. At the […]
Linda Chaffee will illustrate the progression of Chickamauga (Georgia) from a battlefield to the first Civil War military park. Her focus will be on the development of the Ohio monuments and we will discover the reason for the unusual acorn monument. Also included will be a quick look at the unique monuments made by the […]
Frank Heppner will present this program sponsored by the Westerly Historical Society. At the Carriage
Once again the Babcock-Smith House Museum will participate in Museum Day. In the spirit of Smithsonian Museums, who offer free admission everyday, Museum Day is an annual event hosted by Smithsonian magazine in which participating museums across the country open their doors to anyone presenting a Museum Day Ticket…for free. Official tickets can be found […]
Brian Cooper from Early New England Restorers will present a talk on the restoration project on the Pendleton-Chapman House of Avondale. His talk and accompanying video & time-lapse photography will cover the origins of the homestead, the deconstruction, and how the timbers are being restored. At the Carriage House
