About this Event
Discover the unsung and underwritten heroes of the American Revolution at this day-long learning event in East Greenwich, RI, on Saturday, October 4.
African Americans, Indigenous people, women, and many others shaped the fight for independence in ways many do not appreciate or even know about. This event remedies some of that shortfall and will help attendees appreciate pivotal (but forgotten) people and forces in America's early history.
Appropriately, this lecture and the workshop series launches at the former home of a Rhode Islander who is one of the best examples of a “Forgotten Founder”, General James Mitchell Varnum, who commanded troops during the American Revolution, founded the 1st Rhode Island Regiment (or "Black Regiment”), and played an integral role in forming the rule of law in early America.
This event is hosted by the . All lectures and keynote addresses take place at right next door.
=== Our Speakers for the Day:
-- Dr. Norman Desmarais: “The French in Newport”
Norman Desmarais is a professor emeritus at Providence College and an active reenactor. He is a member of Le Regiment Bourbannais, the 2nd Rhode Island Regiment, and the Brigade of the American Revolution. Mr. Desmarais is the author of Guide to the American Revolutionary War series (13 volumes), as well as America’s First Ally: France in the American Revolutionary War, as well as other books and numerous translations.
-- Robert A. Geake: “Witness to a Fragile Freedom: Resurrecting the Life of Silas Royal”
Robert A. Geake is a public historian and the author of fifteen books relating to Rhode Island and New England history, including From Slaves to Soldiers, the First Rhode Island Regiment in the Revolutionary War, New England Citizen Soldiers, and The Battle Off the Field in the American Revolution.
-- Dr. Shirley Green: “Revolutionary Blacks: Discovering the Frank Brothers”
Shirley Green received her PhD in history from Bowling Green State University in 2011. She is currently an Adjunct Professor of History at the University of Toledo, OH and Bowling Green State University. She is also the Director of the Toledo Police Museum. She served as a Toledo Police Officer for 26 years. Dr. Green will be speaking about her recent book Revolutionary Blacks: Discovering the Frank Brothers, Freeborn Men of Color, Soldiers of Independence.
-- Keith Stokes: “The War at Home: Empowering an African Benevolent Society Movement During the Revolutionary Era”
Keith Stokes is Rhode Island's Historian Laureate, consulting historian for the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society, and a former state advisor for the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He also serves on the RI250 Commission.
=== Open to the Public!
This ticketed event is open to the public and directly benefits the programming and preservation of the Varnum House Museum, the former East Greenwich manor home of General James Mitchell Varnum. The Varnum House Museum will be open for free tours during this event.
=== Varnum House Museum Neighborhood Lawn Hangout (end-of-day):
Note that at the end of the day, the will welcome event attendees and the East Greenwich community to its first annual "Varnum House Neighborhood Lawn Hangout". This year will feature:
-- Tree Planting Ceremony to launch “Preservation Garden” program (including military salute by the Varnum Continentals and the Kentish Guard led by Commander Joanne Breslin)
-- Varnum House BYOP (Bring Your Own Picnic)
-- Varnum House Museum tours (free)
=== Our Sponsors:
--
--
--
Agenda
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Check-in & continental breakfast (St. Luke’s Church)
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Opening Remarks (St. Luke’s Church)
Info: Features Brian Wallin and Joanne Breslin
🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:15 AM
Speaker Session #1 (St. Luke's Church)
Host: Dr. Norman Desmarais
Info: Dr. Norman Desmarais: “The French in Newport”
🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Keynote Speaker #1 (St. Luke's Church)
Host: Dr. Shirley Green
Info: Dr. Shirley Green: “Revolutionary Blacks: Discovering the Frank Brothers”
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:30 AM
Mid-Day Break
Host: East Greenwich, RI
Info: Lunch break; Varnum House tours; strolling Main Street, E. Greenwich, RI.
🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:15 PM
Speaker Session #2 (St. Luke’s Church)
Host: Robert A. Geake
Info: Robert A. Geake: “Witness to a Fragile Freedom: Resurrecting the Life of Silas Royal”
🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:30 PM
Keynote Speaker #2 (St. Luke’s Church)
Host: Keith Stokes
Info: Keith Stokes: “The War at Home: Empowering an African Benevolent Society Movement During the Revolutionary Era”
🕑: 02:45 PM - 04:00 PM
Closing Ceremonies (open to the public) (Varnum House Museum)
Host: Varnum House Museum
Info: Tree Planting Ceremony to launch “Preservation Garden” program; Military salute by the Varnum Continentals and the Kentish Guard led by Commander Joanne Breslin; Varnum House BYOP (Bring Your Own Picnic): Neighborhood Lawn Hangout; Varnum House Museum tours (free)
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 99 Peirce Street, East Greenwich, United States
USD 12.51 to USD 49.87
