Spring/Summer 2008

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Providence, RI Permit No. 617 and 110 Benevolent Street Notes News Providence, RI 02906 for members and friends of the Historical Society

in this issue:

c Springtime for History Main Street 2

c Hear Ye, Hear ye 3

c History’s Mystery 4 History Makers 2008 c c c Don’t Miss a Chance to Make History Restored & Improved History Makers Gala, June 7th 2008 5

Join us for the Rhode Island Historical Society’s biennial honorees, including Dr. Robert Ballard, one of the world’s c fundraising Gala, History Makers, on Saturday, June 7, foremost oceanographers and the discoverer of The Titanic; 2008 at 6:00pm, and celebrate with us the contributions of The Honorable Bruce Selya, senior federal judge on U.S. Happenings individuals whose accomplishments have enhanced the Court of Appeals for the First Circuit; and Mr. Jim Tari- 6 quality of life in Rhode Island and who stand as inspiring cani, highly respected and award-winning investigative news role models for generations to come! reporter. Dr. Ballard will deliver the keynote address. Guests c Our 2008 History Makers honorees are individuals who, by will then enjoy dinner, music and dessert – how else to end direct and positive achievements, contributions, actions, and the perfect summer’s night? Education ideas have shaped the past and present of our state in the Proceeds benefit the Rhode Island Historical Society – 7 areas of arts and humanities, business, education, govern- please help us make and preserve history! ment, and sports. Honorary Chairpersons Mr. and Mrs. Tickets are available at a range of prices, starting at $150 per c Malcolm and Elizabeth Chace and Chairpersons Ms. Lisa person. For more information or to purchase tickets, please Churchville and Mr. Alex (Skip) Carlin graciously invite call 401-331-8575, ext. 33. History Makers 2008 you to join us at the Johnson and Wales Culinary Arts Mu- c seum for a historic evening! The Gala begins at 6:00 with a 8 cocktail reception, followed by the speaking program, when we will recognize the accomplishments of the evening’s c Main Street c Education c Be Part of History CONCERTS UNDER THE ELMS 2008 Board of Directors The Rhode Island Historical Society is a nonprofit organization sustained by our June 26 The American Band PRESIDENT many generous donors, members and volunteers. While we preserve the past, our Patriotic music and “pops” repertoire At the Center of It All: The Newell D. Goff ROGER N. BEGIN members and donors ensure our future through membership fees, special gifts, and July 10 Duke Robillard Band Center for Education and Public Programs WINIFRED E. BROWNELL, PH.D. donations. Rhode Island’s history is the story of all the people who have lived here. Classic blues, R & B, and swing WILLIAM F. CONNELL We need your help to tell those stories. July 17 Magnolia EDWARD J. COONEY Cajun music Many of you have been WILLIAM P. DEVEREAUX July 24 Pendragon enlightened by our If MICHAEL DOYLE Membership - Whether you join at the Basic Level or opt for a Lifetime Member- LYLE S. FAIN Celtic-inspired “roots music” These Walls Could Talk ROBERT G. FLANDERS, JR. ship, your membership in the Rhode Island Historical Society supports our mission July 31 Greg Abate Jazz Quartet lecture series or taken WILLIAM G. FOULKES to collect, preserve and share the Ocean State’s rich history. For more information WILLIAM M. FOWLER, JR. Swinging melodic jazz standards and tours of the newly rein- EVAN J. GRANOFF please contact Ms. Mary Lou Upham at 401-331-8575, ext. 33. original music in the same style terpreted John Brown ROBERT J. MANNING August 7 Driftwoods House Museum. In the CAROLYN MEDINA Beach Boys tribute band PETER J. MINIATI How You Can Donate summer, you’ve treated TIMOTHY T. MORE your out-of-town rela- WILLIAM S. SIMMONS, PH.D. Cash – Monetary donations are an important source of operational support for the Adults $8; Children under 12 free; RIHS members tives to an eye-opening THEODORE W. SMALLETZ Society programs including research and collections, exhibits, educational program and accompanying minor children, free. LUTHER W. SPOEHR, PH.D. walking tour of Benefit support, equipment and staff development. DENNIS E. STARK Street. Or perhaps BARBARA J. THORNTON All concerts begin at 6:30PM on the John Brown C. JUNE TOW House lawn. 52 Power Street, Providence. you’ve participated in NONDAS HURST VOLL In-kind gifts – Donations of in-kind gifts may include equipment and/or materials to our Teaching American build or enhance exhibits, programs and special events. Donations of services are also a EX OFFICIO NO PETS ALLOWED History Professional THOMAS R. EVANS valuable way of contributing to the Society. Let us discuss your in-kind gift with you. Development courses For more information contact Mary Lou Upham or enjoyed one of our EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BERNARD P. FISHMAN Stock and Bonds – Appreciated stocks or bonds make for a gift that benefits not only 401-331-8575, ext. 33 or [email protected] annual Goff Lectures. the Society but also benefits the giver with a significant tax advantage. Well, if you’ve en- Charmyne Goodfellow, Deputy Director and gaged in any of these Controller Don’t Miss Home Movie Day C. Morgan Grefe Ph.D., Director, Newell D. c activities, then you’re Gifts made through a will – Consult your estate planner to prepare the perfect gift at the RIHS! Goff Education Center a beneficiary of the and Public Programs for future generations of The Rhode Island Historical Society patrons Kirsten Hammerstrom, Deputy Director for Pull out those old home movies and join other Newell D. Goff Center Collections and Curator devotees of homemade cinema at Aldrich House for Education and Marlene K. LeRoy, Director, Development and Life insurance – Declare the Rhode Island Historical Society as a beneficiary on a Public Relations on Saturday, October 25th, to screen films and Public Programs—the new or existing policy. This will ensure the Society’s success for generations to come. celebrate amateur filmmaking - all while learn- outreach and education arm of the Rhode Island Historical Society. Northern Division: Museum of Work & Culture Raymond Bacon, Co-Director ing how to protect and save your family’s films Created in 2004, thanks to the foresight and generous funding of one of Anne Conway, Co-Director For information on ways to give, please call the Development office at 401-331-8575, ext for generations to come! Mark your calendars the Society’s best friends, the Goff Center plans the public programs for .33, or [email protected]. All gifts are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. now, and don’t miss this event to preserve your ALDRICH HOUSE c the RIHS, including lectures, workshops, teacher training, walking tours, 110 Benevolent Street favorite filmed memories! and the tours of the John Brown House Museum. In a fortuitous part- Providence, Rhode Island 02906 186 Annual Meetings So Far, and c Home Movie Day Wish List nership rare among historical societies, the Goff Center educators work PH: 401.331.8575 Looking Forward to the 187th! FAX: 401.351.0127 directly with the experts of the collections staff to interpret the Society’s For the past two summers the RIHS Library has WEB: WWW.RIHS.ORG museums. On Wednesday, November 7, 2007, the RIHS celebrated our progress, achievements, hosted our state’s Home Movie Day, and we’re JOHN BROWN HOUSE MUSEUM strength, and momentum toward the future at our 2007 Annual Meeting. Mayor looking forward to doing it again. What do we The broad scope of the Center’s mission is thankfully matched by the equally 52 Power Street David Cicilline brought greetings from the City of Providence and presented the broad talents of its strong and cohesive team. Goff Center Director, Dr. Providence, Rhode Island 02906 need from you? We need your home mov- PH: 401.273.7507 Society with a Municipal Grant of Operating Support from the city. ies: 8mm, 16mm, VHS, whatever you’ve got. Morgan Grefe, has the distinct honor of working with Marie Parys, Teach- ing American History Program coordinator; Dalila Goulart, programs and LIBRARY We were honored to welcome as our speakers Dr. Patrick T. Conley and Judge Robert CLOSE-UP ON….. YOUR OLD MOVIES! tours coordinator; Barbara Barnes, special tours and conventions manager; 121 Hope Street G. Flanders, Jr., co-authors of The Rhode Island State Constitution: A Reference For more information please contact Karen Providence, Rhode Island 02906 and Dan Santos, education and tours manager at the John Brown House Guide, a legal and historical compendium of Rhode Island’s constitutional develop- Eberhart, Special Collections Curator, at 401.273.8107 Museum. Each brings a level of skill and enthusiasm without match to his ment. This book’s historical introduction is the most succinct yet comprehensive sur- 273-8107 x20, or [email protected], or visit MUSEUM OF WORK & CULTURE or her work, and together they keep the Goff Center at the center of the vey ever written of Rhode Island’s constitutional history. Members and guests were our website: www.rihs.org/grcollfilm.htm. 42 South Main Street c Society’s public mission. Woonsocket, Rhode Island 02895 treated to a lively and participatory discussion with Dr. Conley and Judge Flanders, 401.769-9675 with engaging conversation among RIHS trustees, members, and staff continuing at the festive reception after the program.

2 7 Happenings c c Hear Ye, Hear ye Summer Like It’s SUPPOSED to Be: Seeing Is Believing A Closer Look at RiverWalk: By Bernard Fishman Stereoview Photography Before The Fires Are Lit ur new public access online catalogue, the most Graphics collection inventory, Take a closer look at the world of stere- Discover the winding history and continued oview photography with RIHS Executive importance of Providence’s rivers! Evenings important advance in the Society’s collections- to include counting, basic cata- Director Bernard Fishman. This Spring, of full WaterFire lightings at 5:30 pm; $10 related management capacities and public service, loguing, re-housing in proper Mr. Fishman will be giving an illustrated per person. RiverWalk tours are presented is a stunning success! But even this triumph has put online only storage materials, and condition in collaboration with WaterFire Providence. three-part lecture series on the histori- about 110,000 collection records, perhaps 20% of our whole assessments. At a little more cal value of photographic stereoviews. For schedule of WaterFire lightings: www. talks on the anti-slavery movement in waterfire.org, or (401) 272-3111. collection; we still have years of work ahead to include the rest, than a year into this project, The dates of these lectures are Wednes- Woonsocket, the collapse of New France, O besides future digitization of objects and images. we have reviewed about 75,000 day March 5, Wednesday April 2, and and the history of Burrillville. For more Wednesday May 7 at 5:30 pm and all Downcity: A 21st Century Debut! photographic items, and now details on these lectures, visit our website: The Providence renaissance meets the So how much remains to catalogue and put online? Well, we take place at the RIHS Library. think there may be 300,000, www.rihs.org. Victorian city center in Downcity Alive!, don’t really know… but we are getting much closer to answers! or even 400,000 photos to as- The Walls Are Still Talking… Starting April 6, the Museum of Work perhaps RIHS’s most dynamic summer Recent inventories and cataloguing projects have put many of our sess! We will need several years of extra work, and much more & Culture’s gallery will be showcasing tour. Learn the fabled pasts of such glorious collections in good professional order. We know we have 6,000 Gallery Night Providence returns this icons as Grace Church, the Providence grant money, as this collection appears to be twice as big as we March, and so does the lecture series If Robert Godin’s photography exhibit manuscript collections, about 90,000 printed items, about 8,000 entitled “Along the Atlantic Seaboard,” Biltmore Hotel, the Turk’s Head Building, thought. But this kind of effort is fundamental to what we do: These Walls Could Talk… at the John and the Arcade. Downcity Providence is an textiles, and perhaps 20,000 three-dimensional objects. But the Brown House Museum. The series runs which will feature idyllic views of familiar if we don’t know what we have, how can we share it with YOU? coastal scenes from New Jersey to Prince award-winning urban neighborhood and most uncharted of all our collections is the Graphics collection, from March – June, and again from Sep- the heart and soul of a proud capital city. including all formats of photographs, negatives, movie films, And as a collector of photographs myself (I have some 21,000 tember – November. This season, expect Edward Island. Tours depart from the Providence Biltmore maps, two-dimensional works of art, and sound recordings. late 19th and early 20th century photographs, mainly in stereo to become quite familiar with Rhode As always, the Museum will be hosting on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 4 view format), I am personally invested in this kind of endeavor, Island history. Stanley Lemons starts its Annual Labor Day Open House, this pm, $10 per person. Over the years we have claimed to have anywhere from 150,000 the season off with a lecture on the First year on Monday, September 1 from 9:30 to 250,000 photographs. Only partially catalogued, and af- as much of my historical sense is based on seeing images and Baptist Church in America, followed by am – 4 pm. Admission is free inside the Celebrating H.P. Lovecraft: A believing through them what history tells us. So I am excited Paul Eno and Glenn Laxton speaking on flicted by incompatible ‘systems’ imposed by successive curators, Museum and to all its events today, in- Literary Walk to realize that within a few years we will really know what our their joint work, Rhode Island: A Genial This walking tour celebrates the life and this bear of a collection has called (or roared!) out to be tamed cluding the annual book sale. Stay tuned whole treasure of images contains. And for you photo sleuths History in April. For a complete schedule to the website for more details. work of Providence native and author by the application of professional management and standards. and more information, visit our website: Howard Phillips Lovecraft. Lovecraft’s Now, thanks to a generous grant, Deputy Director Kirsten who would like to know what my own collection contains, www.rihs.org, or contact Dalila Goulart Let Rhode Island History “Providence stories” provide the basis Hammerstrom, Special Collections Curator Karen Eberhart, watch for the presentations I will be giving at our library about at (401) 331-8575 x45. Move You! for this walk. The tour will be offered on and Graphics Assistant James Da Mico have begun our first the fascinating World of Stereo views. SummerWalks – historical walking tours of Saturday, March 15, the anniversary of Come Celebrate History Providence, June 15 – October 15, 2008. Lovecraft’s death, and on Saturday, August In The Making Made possible in part by generous support 16, the anniversary of his birth. Tours start Make sure to mark your calendar to at- form Parkside Rostisserie & Bar, AAA from the John Brown House Museum at 11 A Rich History with RIHS! tend the RIHS’s History Makers 2008 Southern , the Providence am; $12 per person. Gala on Saturday, June 7. This year, the Biltmore Hotel, and Whole Foods Market. signature award ceremony and fundraiser A Fox Point Fourth of July! On January 16, 2008, the Rhode Island Historical Society said Society. The last five takes place at the Johnson & Wales The Benefit Street and RiverWalk tours On Saturday, June 28 and Saturday, July 5, “Farewell!” in grand style to Carol Holscher, retiring after near- years have been excit- Culinary Arts Museum in Providence. begin at the John Brown House Muse- the scheduled 11 am walking tours will be ly twenty-one years as the Society’s Executive Assistant. Nearly ing as I’ve witnessed um. For more information, please contact patriotic strolls through Providence’s Fox For more information on this spectacular fifty Society staff and trustees attended to express their thanks the Society make great event, see back page. Barbara Barnes at [email protected] or Point neighborhood. Come learn about the (401) 273-7507 x62. life and works of Providence native George and best wishes to guests of honor Carol and her husband Her- strides into the digital At the Museum of M. Cohan, the original Yankee Doodle man, and to shower the Society’s longest continuously-serving age as well as preserv- Work & Culture Benefit Street: Dandy, and discover the history of 4th of employee with gifts and fond remembrances. We will all miss ing our past with the July celebrations in the city. The RIHS officially welcomes Spring A Mile Of History Carol, who sets an almost impossibly high standard in work and restoration of our Two hundred and fifty years of history in with the annual “Salute to Spring Also, the June 19 If These Walls Could in life, showing kindness to all, quiet diligence and effectiveness physical assets. I have one action-packed mile: trace the steps of Celebration!” at the Museum of Work Talk… lecture will feature music scholar at work, and a cheerful disposition no matter how tough the truly enjoyed working George Washington and Edgar Allan Poe, & Culture. This year, the event is on Michael Fink to speak about Cohan, and find a 19th century armory, a 17th century times or how difficult a day. When approached for some part- with all the staff and Sunday, March 9 from 1 pm – 5 pm, and don’t forget The American Band will be burial site, a world-class art museum, and ing remarks, she wrote: board members. What will the next twenty years bring – it will includes musical entertainment by Josée kicking off this year’s Concert Under the the homes of a Declaration of Indepen- be exciting to find out! Vachon and two history presentations. Elms on June 26 with some pieces of rous- I am sitting at home relaxing with a book in front of a lovely Tickets are $15. For more information, dence signer and a Civil War general! ing American music. fire burning in our fireplace, my thoughts drifting back to the Fondly, call Anne Conway, (401) 769-9675. Tuesdays through Saturdays at 11 am; twenty years spent working at the Rhode Island Historical Carol Holscher The Ranger Days series will be continu- Adults $12; Seniors and RIHS members ing at the Museum until March 30, with $10; Children under 12, $6

6 3 History’s Mystery c c Restored & Improved

Body, Body, Who’s Got the Body? A Rhode Island Mystery…. Statues for All Seasons: the John Brown House Busts of Where in the World IS Roger Williams? Summer and Winter to Return, Restored! any Rhode Islanders know the story of the Society), and a mystery was born. Where is the body of Roger apple-tree root that grew into something like Williams? Other skeletons and artifacts were discovered within or nearly two centuries two dignified busts stood his unwilling bride, who the shape of a body where Roger Williams is blocks of his ‘grave,’ so there don’t seem to be any special flesh- on the exterior gateposts of the John Brown shuttled between earth supposed to have been buried. The root, with its own coffin-like eating qualities to the earth at the corner of Benefit and Bowen. House. Based on a 1790 letter in which John and the underworld and display board, came into the Society’s collections after Zachariah More likely, they didn’t find the grave, or the body had been Brown asked his son-in-law, John Frances, to buy brought the growing, fertile MAllen excavated what he thought was William’s grave in 1860. already moved and is now lost. Whew! How could they lose one some busts while in Versailles, France, we believe that these seasons of the year only pieces, along with the four similar sculptures that remain in when she was actually with Williams, who had died in 1683 (probably), was buried, as was of the greatest of all Americans?! the house, were bought there. the living on the surface; typical for the time, in what became a small family plot at the If anyone finds him, please call the Society. in her absence, the earth edge of his property, now at the corner of Benefit and Bowen F The six busts represent was shrouded in deathly Streets in Providence. But within 50 years only the ruined cellar An Award to Treasure Indeed! divinities from classical winter. Naturally, to the of his house could still be seen, with hardly a trace of the graves RIHS Receives Save America’s Treasures Grant mythology, and they would Persephone people of Providence these remaining. One Nathaniel Packard claimed that when a boy have expressed the cultured The Rhode Island Historical Society has been awarded busts came to be known as Summer and Winter, and rarely have (about 1740) he saw the actual bones of Roger Williams when learning and sound education $243,000 for the John Brown House restoration thanks to two statues witnessed so much history: George Washington’s they were accidentally exposed by the digging of another grave that the owner of the house the highly competitive Save America’s Treasures Grant Pro- visit to the John Brown House, the agitation of the Civil War, nearby. The remains, he told his daughter (he never wrote down would have wished his visitors gram. This much sought-after grant is awarded jointly by the the Gilded Age renovation of the house under tycoon Marsden his story), were covered with a “mossy substance.” By 1836 the to assume he had. Inside the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities and the Perry, and the Depression. By the 1980s, however, they had aged abolitionist Moses Brown said that the grave of Roger house are Apollo (God of the . Only 16 grants for historic building become so eroded by the elements that they were brought inside Williams “‘is unknown.” Sun), Artemis (Goddess of restorations were made nationwide in this year’s competition, Hades the house, leaving the gateposts bereft ever since. the Moon), Dionysus (God of But Allen thought he knew better and dug up what he believed making the Rhode Island Historical Society one of a very select Wine), and Ceres (Goddess of the Harvest). The identifica- But their return is assured! By the end of 2008, Summer and were seven graves, at the corner of the old lot, including that number of recipients. of Roger Williams, intending to move Williams to a dignified tions are based on appearance or attributes, and are thus not in Winter will again take up their vigil outside the John Brown The Save America’s Treasures program helps conserve signifi- place and give him a fine monument. He thought he had identi- every case certain. On the gateposts outside were Hades, God House, or at least reproductions of them, watching knowingly cant U.S. cultural and historic treasures associated with great of the Underworld, bearded and cloaked, and Persephone, over life on Power Street. Be sure to look for them! fied William’s grave by its position, but when he opened it “not c events, ideas, and individuals that have contributed to our na- any vestige of any bone was discoverable…so completely had tion’s history and culture. disappeared all earthly remains of the founder of the state….” In the last two months of 2007 the Society raised $696,000 He did, however, discover the now famous root. William Ely, RIHS Is Restored RIHS Is Improved who was present, wrote 46 years later (1906): “Roger Williams- from five different funds for Phases III and IV of the John --body and blood—had passed into this root and risen from Brown House restoration project. Over the past three years Phase II of the John Brown House restoration has now been com- We have just finished repainting the outside of Aldrich House and his earthly bed into the apple tree of the Dorr family above.” a total of just under $2 million has been raised for this ef- pleted, at a cost of nearly $500,000. Our deep thanks go to the repairing and rebuilding chimneys so deteriorated that a strong wind So some greasy earth was scraped up, ‘buried’ in an urn in the fort. Given this recent success, we believe that we are within Champlin Foundations and the 1772 Foundation, the largest sup- might have blown them off the roof. We are now repainting the front North Cemetery (with a dollop put in a jar for the Historical $500,000 of reaching the final amount needed to complete the porters of this phase of the work. We completed all the repairs hall and dining room, and new carpets are on the way. With the house entire plan for rehabilitating one of Rhode Island’s most impor- needed for the north exterior of the house: roof, drainage systems, refurbished, we can resume renting out this glorious historic place. So woodwork, masonry, new storm windows, new lightning protec- think of your spring and summer events, and imagine how much more c Museum of Work & Culture Kick-Off tant historic structures! Capital and Endowment Campaign tion, new exterior lighting systems, and new plantings inspired by special they’d be in the unique and beautiful setting of Aldrich House! Marsden Perry’s plan of 1900. Since 2004 we have spent about $1.2 With spirited assistance from volunteer-actors, Erik Eckilson, Romeo Berthiaume, and Danielle DeRotto, Museum Co-Directors million on the John Brown House, and we are now engaged in rais- RIHS Is Enriched Anne Conway and Raymond Bacon announced the launch of the Capital and Endowment Campaign. They were able to report the ing the funds for Phase III, which will complete the exterior work by encouraging news that a silent phase, including donations from individuals committed to becoming Incorporators of the future rebuilding the now-collapsing pergola and the front gate, and replac- In November and December 2007 we received the delightful news that Museum of Work & Culture Foundation, had already raised over $200,000 of the Campaign’s overall goal of $750,000! ing a great deal of deteriorated brownstone on the building. After we would receive a total of $448,000 in new grants for the continu- that, there is plenty to do on the inside – no rest for the weary! But ing renovation of the John Brown House. Our heartfelt thanks go to The main project of the Campaign, the development of the Treasury of Life Exhibit, was also unveiled. Once built, The Treasury make sure you come and admire our progress so far - our outstand- the Champlin Foundations, the Rhode Island Historical Preservation of Life Exhibit will resemble a bank vault, only one containing items far more valuable than money. Over 250 safety deposit type ing historical landmark is looking better than at any other time in and Heritage Commission, and the Felicia Fund for their tremendous boxes, each engraved with the family name, will be offered to families and individuals, in which to store such memorabilia as letters, the past century! generosity in furthering this complex and multi-stage process. These photographs, birth certificates, immigration forms, and other precious, irreplaceable papers documenting family history. One hun- grants will allow us to complete Phase III of the restoration project in dred percent of the proceeds from the sale of the Treasury of Life boxes will go to the Museum’s endowment. 2008, including all remaining work on the outside of the building. 4 4 5 History’s Mystery c c Restored & Improved

Body, Body, Who’s Got the Body? A Rhode Island Mystery…. Statues for All Seasons: the John Brown House Busts of Where in the World IS Roger Williams? Summer and Winter to Return, Restored! any Rhode Islanders know the story of the Society), and a mystery was born. Where is the body of Roger apple-tree root that grew into something like Williams? Other skeletons and artifacts were discovered within or nearly two centuries two dignified busts stood his unwilling bride, who the shape of a body where Roger Williams is blocks of his ‘grave,’ so there don’t seem to be any special flesh- on the exterior gateposts of the John Brown shuttled between earth supposed to have been buried. The root, with its own coffin-like eating qualities to the earth at the corner of Benefit and Bowen. House. Based on a 1790 letter in which John and the underworld and display board, came into the Society’s collections after Zachariah More likely, they didn’t find the grave, or the body had been Brown asked his son-in-law, John Frances, to buy brought the growing, fertile MAllen excavated what he thought was William’s grave in 1860. already moved and is now lost. Whew! How could they lose one some busts while in Versailles, France, we believe that these seasons of the year only pieces, along with the four similar sculptures that remain in when she was actually with Williams, who had died in 1683 (probably), was buried, as was of the greatest of all Americans?! the house, were bought there. the living on the surface; typical for the time, in what became a small family plot at the If anyone finds him, please call the Society. in her absence, the earth edge of his property, now at the corner of Benefit and Bowen F The six busts represent was shrouded in deathly Streets in Providence. But within 50 years only the ruined cellar An Award to Treasure Indeed! divinities from classical winter. Naturally, to the of his house could still be seen, with hardly a trace of the graves RIHS Receives Save America’s Treasures Grant mythology, and they would Persephone people of Providence these remaining. One Nathaniel Packard claimed that when a boy have expressed the cultured The Rhode Island Historical Society has been awarded busts came to be known as Summer and Winter, and rarely have (about 1740) he saw the actual bones of Roger Williams when learning and sound education $243,000 for the John Brown House restoration thanks to two statues witnessed so much history: George Washington’s they were accidentally exposed by the digging of another grave that the owner of the house the highly competitive Save America’s Treasures Grant Pro- visit to the John Brown House, the agitation of the Civil War, nearby. The remains, he told his daughter (he never wrote down would have wished his visitors gram. This much sought-after grant is awarded jointly by the the Gilded Age renovation of the house under tycoon Marsden his story), were covered with a “mossy substance.” By 1836 the to assume he had. Inside the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities and the Perry, and the Depression. By the 1980s, however, they had aged abolitionist Moses Brown said that the grave of Roger house are Apollo (God of the National Park Service. Only 16 grants for historic building become so eroded by the elements that they were brought inside Williams “‘is unknown.” Sun), Artemis (Goddess of restorations were made nationwide in this year’s competition, Hades the house, leaving the gateposts bereft ever since. the Moon), Dionysus (God of But Allen thought he knew better and dug up what he believed making the Rhode Island Historical Society one of a very select Wine), and Ceres (Goddess of the Harvest). The identifica- But their return is assured! By the end of 2008, Summer and were seven graves, at the corner of the old lot, including that number of recipients. of Roger Williams, intending to move Williams to a dignified tions are based on appearance or attributes, and are thus not in Winter will again take up their vigil outside the John Brown The Save America’s Treasures program helps conserve signifi- place and give him a fine monument. He thought he had identi- every case certain. On the gateposts outside were Hades, God House, or at least reproductions of them, watching knowingly cant U.S. cultural and historic treasures associated with great of the Underworld, bearded and cloaked, and Persephone, over life on Power Street. Be sure to look for them! fied William’s grave by its position, but when he opened it “not c events, ideas, and individuals that have contributed to our na- any vestige of any bone was discoverable…so completely had tion’s history and culture. disappeared all earthly remains of the founder of the state….” In the last two months of 2007 the Society raised $696,000 He did, however, discover the now famous root. William Ely, RIHS Is Restored RIHS Is Improved who was present, wrote 46 years later (1906): “Roger Williams- from five different funds for Phases III and IV of the John --body and blood—had passed into this root and risen from Brown House restoration project. Over the past three years Phase II of the John Brown House restoration has now been com- We have just finished repainting the outside of Aldrich House and his earthly bed into the apple tree of the Dorr family above.” a total of just under $2 million has been raised for this ef- pleted, at a cost of nearly $500,000. Our deep thanks go to the repairing and rebuilding chimneys so deteriorated that a strong wind So some greasy earth was scraped up, ‘buried’ in an urn in the fort. Given this recent success, we believe that we are within Champlin Foundations and the 1772 Foundation, the largest sup- might have blown them off the roof. We are now repainting the front North Cemetery (with a dollop put in a jar for the Historical $500,000 of reaching the final amount needed to complete the porters of this phase of the work. We completed all the repairs hall and dining room, and new carpets are on the way. With the house entire plan for rehabilitating one of Rhode Island’s most impor- needed for the north exterior of the house: roof, drainage systems, refurbished, we can resume renting out this glorious historic place. So woodwork, masonry, new storm windows, new lightning protec- think of your spring and summer events, and imagine how much more c Museum of Work & Culture Kick-Off tant historic structures! Capital and Endowment Campaign tion, new exterior lighting systems, and new plantings inspired by special they’d be in the unique and beautiful setting of Aldrich House! Marsden Perry’s plan of 1900. Since 2004 we have spent about $1.2 With spirited assistance from volunteer-actors, Erik Eckilson, Romeo Berthiaume, and Danielle DeRotto, Museum Co-Directors million on the John Brown House, and we are now engaged in rais- RIHS Is Enriched Anne Conway and Raymond Bacon announced the launch of the Capital and Endowment Campaign. They were able to report the ing the funds for Phase III, which will complete the exterior work by encouraging news that a silent phase, including donations from individuals committed to becoming Incorporators of the future rebuilding the now-collapsing pergola and the front gate, and replac- In November and December 2007 we received the delightful news that Museum of Work & Culture Foundation, had already raised over $200,000 of the Campaign’s overall goal of $750,000! ing a great deal of deteriorated brownstone on the building. After we would receive a total of $448,000 in new grants for the continu- that, there is plenty to do on the inside – no rest for the weary! But ing renovation of the John Brown House. Our heartfelt thanks go to The main project of the Campaign, the development of the Treasury of Life Exhibit, was also unveiled. Once built, The Treasury make sure you come and admire our progress so far - our outstand- the Champlin Foundations, the Rhode Island Historical Preservation of Life Exhibit will resemble a bank vault, only one containing items far more valuable than money. Over 250 safety deposit type ing historical landmark is looking better than at any other time in and Heritage Commission, and the Felicia Fund for their tremendous boxes, each engraved with the family name, will be offered to families and individuals, in which to store such memorabilia as letters, the past century! generosity in furthering this complex and multi-stage process. These photographs, birth certificates, immigration forms, and other precious, irreplaceable papers documenting family history. One hun- grants will allow us to complete Phase III of the restoration project in dred percent of the proceeds from the sale of the Treasury of Life boxes will go to the Museum’s endowment. 2008, including all remaining work on the outside of the building. 4 4 5 Happenings c c Hear Ye, Hear ye Summer Like It’s SUPPOSED to Be: Seeing Is Believing A Closer Look at RiverWalk: By Bernard Fishman Stereoview Photography Before The Fires Are Lit ur new public access online catalogue, the most Graphics collection inventory, Take a closer look at the world of stere- Discover the winding history and continued oview photography with RIHS Executive importance of Providence’s rivers! Evenings important advance in the Society’s collections- to include counting, basic cata- Director Bernard Fishman. This Spring, of full WaterFire lightings at 5:30 pm; $10 related management capacities and public service, loguing, re-housing in proper Mr. Fishman will be giving an illustrated per person. RiverWalk tours are presented is a stunning success! But even this triumph has put online only storage materials, and condition in collaboration with WaterFire Providence. three-part lecture series on the histori- about 110,000 collection records, perhaps 20% of our whole assessments. At a little more cal value of photographic stereoviews. For schedule of WaterFire lightings: www. talks on the anti-slavery movement in waterfire.org, or (401) 272-3111. collection; we still have years of work ahead to include the rest, than a year into this project, The dates of these lectures are Wednes- Woonsocket, the collapse of New France, O besides future digitization of objects and images. we have reviewed about 75,000 day March 5, Wednesday April 2, and and the history of Burrillville. For more Wednesday May 7 at 5:30 pm and all Downcity: A 21st Century Debut! photographic items, and now details on these lectures, visit our website: The Providence renaissance meets the So how much remains to catalogue and put online? Well, we take place at the RIHS Library. think there may be 300,000, www.rihs.org. Victorian city center in Downcity Alive!, don’t really know… but we are getting much closer to answers! or even 400,000 photos to as- The Walls Are Still Talking… Starting April 6, the Museum of Work perhaps RIHS’s most dynamic summer Recent inventories and cataloguing projects have put many of our sess! We will need several years of extra work, and much more & Culture’s gallery will be showcasing tour. Learn the fabled pasts of such glorious collections in good professional order. We know we have 6,000 Gallery Night Providence returns this icons as Grace Church, the Providence grant money, as this collection appears to be twice as big as we March, and so does the lecture series If Robert Godin’s photography exhibit manuscript collections, about 90,000 printed items, about 8,000 entitled “Along the Atlantic Seaboard,” Biltmore Hotel, the Turk’s Head Building, thought. But this kind of effort is fundamental to what we do: These Walls Could Talk… at the John and the Arcade. Downcity Providence is an textiles, and perhaps 20,000 three-dimensional objects. But the Brown House Museum. The series runs which will feature idyllic views of familiar if we don’t know what we have, how can we share it with YOU? coastal scenes from New Jersey to Prince award-winning urban neighborhood and most uncharted of all our collections is the Graphics collection, from March – June, and again from Sep- the heart and soul of a proud capital city. including all formats of photographs, negatives, movie films, And as a collector of photographs myself (I have some 21,000 tember – November. This season, expect Edward Island. Tours depart from the Providence Biltmore maps, two-dimensional works of art, and sound recordings. late 19th and early 20th century photographs, mainly in stereo to become quite familiar with Rhode As always, the Museum will be hosting on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 4 view format), I am personally invested in this kind of endeavor, Island history. Stanley Lemons starts its Annual Labor Day Open House, this pm, $10 per person. Over the years we have claimed to have anywhere from 150,000 the season off with a lecture on the First year on Monday, September 1 from 9:30 to 250,000 photographs. Only partially catalogued, and af- as much of my historical sense is based on seeing images and Baptist Church in America, followed by am – 4 pm. Admission is free inside the Celebrating H.P. Lovecraft: A believing through them what history tells us. So I am excited Paul Eno and Glenn Laxton speaking on flicted by incompatible ‘systems’ imposed by successive curators, Museum and to all its events today, in- Literary Walk to realize that within a few years we will really know what our their joint work, Rhode Island: A Genial This walking tour celebrates the life and this bear of a collection has called (or roared!) out to be tamed cluding the annual book sale. Stay tuned whole treasure of images contains. And for you photo sleuths History in April. For a complete schedule to the website for more details. work of Providence native and author by the application of professional management and standards. and more information, visit our website: Howard Phillips Lovecraft. Lovecraft’s Now, thanks to a generous grant, Deputy Director Kirsten who would like to know what my own collection contains, www.rihs.org, or contact Dalila Goulart Let Rhode Island History “Providence stories” provide the basis Hammerstrom, Special Collections Curator Karen Eberhart, watch for the presentations I will be giving at our library about at (401) 331-8575 x45. Move You! for this walk. The tour will be offered on and Graphics Assistant James Da Mico have begun our first the fascinating World of Stereo views. SummerWalks – historical walking tours of Saturday, March 15, the anniversary of Come Celebrate History Providence, June 15 – October 15, 2008. Lovecraft’s death, and on Saturday, August In The Making Made possible in part by generous support 16, the anniversary of his birth. Tours start Make sure to mark your calendar to at- form Parkside Rostisserie & Bar, AAA from the John Brown House Museum at 11 A Rich History with RIHS! tend the RIHS’s History Makers 2008 Southern New England, the Providence am; $12 per person. Gala on Saturday, June 7. This year, the Biltmore Hotel, and Whole Foods Market. signature award ceremony and fundraiser A Fox Point Fourth of July! On January 16, 2008, the Rhode Island Historical Society said Society. The last five takes place at the Johnson & Wales The Benefit Street and RiverWalk tours On Saturday, June 28 and Saturday, July 5, “Farewell!” in grand style to Carol Holscher, retiring after near- years have been excit- Culinary Arts Museum in Providence. begin at the John Brown House Muse- the scheduled 11 am walking tours will be ly twenty-one years as the Society’s Executive Assistant. Nearly ing as I’ve witnessed um. For more information, please contact patriotic strolls through Providence’s Fox For more information on this spectacular fifty Society staff and trustees attended to express their thanks the Society make great event, see back page. Barbara Barnes at [email protected] or Point neighborhood. Come learn about the (401) 273-7507 x62. life and works of Providence native George and best wishes to guests of honor Carol and her husband Her- strides into the digital At the Museum of M. Cohan, the original Yankee Doodle man, and to shower the Society’s longest continuously-serving age as well as preserv- Work & Culture Benefit Street: Dandy, and discover the history of 4th of employee with gifts and fond remembrances. We will all miss ing our past with the July celebrations in the city. The RIHS officially welcomes Spring A Mile Of History Carol, who sets an almost impossibly high standard in work and restoration of our Two hundred and fifty years of history in with the annual “Salute to Spring Also, the June 19 If These Walls Could in life, showing kindness to all, quiet diligence and effectiveness physical assets. I have one action-packed mile: trace the steps of Celebration!” at the Museum of Work Talk… lecture will feature music scholar at work, and a cheerful disposition no matter how tough the truly enjoyed working George Washington and Edgar Allan Poe, & Culture. This year, the event is on Michael Fink to speak about Cohan, and find a 19th century armory, a 17th century times or how difficult a day. When approached for some part- with all the staff and Sunday, March 9 from 1 pm – 5 pm, and don’t forget The American Band will be burial site, a world-class art museum, and ing remarks, she wrote: board members. What will the next twenty years bring – it will includes musical entertainment by Josée kicking off this year’s Concert Under the the homes of a Declaration of Indepen- be exciting to find out! Vachon and two history presentations. Elms on June 26 with some pieces of rous- I am sitting at home relaxing with a book in front of a lovely Tickets are $15. For more information, dence signer and a Civil War general! ing American music. fire burning in our fireplace, my thoughts drifting back to the Fondly, call Anne Conway, (401) 769-9675. Tuesdays through Saturdays at 11 am; twenty years spent working at the Rhode Island Historical Carol Holscher The Ranger Days series will be continu- Adults $12; Seniors and RIHS members ing at the Museum until March 30, with $10; Children under 12, $6

6 3 Main Street c Education c Be Part of History CONCERTS UNDER THE ELMS 2008 Board of Directors The Rhode Island Historical Society is a nonprofit organization sustained by our June 26 The American Band PRESIDENT many generous donors, members and volunteers. While we preserve the past, our Patriotic music and “pops” repertoire At the Center of It All: The Newell D. Goff ROGER N. BEGIN members and donors ensure our future through membership fees, special gifts, and July 10 Duke Robillard Band Center for Education and Public Programs WINIFRED E. BROWNELL, PH.D. donations. Rhode Island’s history is the story of all the people who have lived here. Classic blues, R & B, and swing WILLIAM F. CONNELL We need your help to tell those stories. July 17 Magnolia EDWARD J. COONEY Cajun music Many of you have been WILLIAM P. DEVEREAUX July 24 Pendragon enlightened by our If MICHAEL DOYLE Membership - Whether you join at the Basic Level or opt for a Lifetime Member- LYLE S. FAIN Celtic-inspired “roots music” These Walls Could Talk ROBERT G. FLANDERS, JR. ship, your membership in the Rhode Island Historical Society supports our mission July 31 Greg Abate Jazz Quartet lecture series or taken WILLIAM G. FOULKES to collect, preserve and share the Ocean State’s rich history. For more information WILLIAM M. FOWLER, JR. Swinging melodic jazz standards and tours of the newly rein- EVAN J. GRANOFF please contact Ms. Mary Lou Upham at 401-331-8575, ext. 33. original music in the same style terpreted John Brown ROBERT J. MANNING August 7 Driftwoods House Museum. In the CAROLYN MEDINA Beach Boys tribute band PETER J. MINIATI How You Can Donate summer, you’ve treated TIMOTHY T. MORE your out-of-town rela- WILLIAM S. SIMMONS, PH.D. Cash – Monetary donations are an important source of operational support for the Adults $8; Children under 12 free; RIHS members tives to an eye-opening THEODORE W. SMALLETZ Society programs including research and collections, exhibits, educational program and accompanying minor children, free. LUTHER W. SPOEHR, PH.D. walking tour of Benefit support, equipment and staff development. DENNIS E. STARK Street. Or perhaps BARBARA J. THORNTON All concerts begin at 6:30PM on the John Brown C. JUNE TOW House lawn. 52 Power Street, Providence. you’ve participated in NONDAS HURST VOLL In-kind gifts – Donations of in-kind gifts may include equipment and/or materials to our Teaching American build or enhance exhibits, programs and special events. Donations of services are also a EX OFFICIO NO PETS ALLOWED History Professional THOMAS R. EVANS valuable way of contributing to the Society. Let us discuss your in-kind gift with you. Development courses For more information contact Mary Lou Upham or enjoyed one of our EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BERNARD P. FISHMAN Stock and Bonds – Appreciated stocks or bonds make for a gift that benefits not only 401-331-8575, ext. 33 or [email protected] annual Goff Lectures. the Society but also benefits the giver with a significant tax advantage. Well, if you’ve en- Charmyne Goodfellow, Deputy Director and gaged in any of these Controller Don’t Miss Home Movie Day C. Morgan Grefe Ph.D., Director, Newell D. c activities, then you’re Gifts made through a will – Consult your estate planner to prepare the perfect gift at the RIHS! Goff Education Center a beneficiary of the and Public Programs for future generations of The Rhode Island Historical Society patrons Kirsten Hammerstrom, Deputy Director for Pull out those old home movies and join other Newell D. Goff Center Collections and Curator devotees of homemade cinema at Aldrich House for Education and Marlene K. LeRoy, Director, Development and Life insurance – Declare the Rhode Island Historical Society as a beneficiary on a Public Relations on Saturday, October 25th, to screen films and Public Programs—the new or existing policy. This will ensure the Society’s success for generations to come. celebrate amateur filmmaking - all while learn- outreach and education arm of the Rhode Island Historical Society. Northern Division: Museum of Work & Culture Raymond Bacon, Co-Director ing how to protect and save your family’s films Created in 2004, thanks to the foresight and generous funding of one of Anne Conway, Co-Director For information on ways to give, please call the Development office at 401-331-8575, ext for generations to come! Mark your calendars the Society’s best friends, the Goff Center plans the public programs for .33, or [email protected]. All gifts are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. now, and don’t miss this event to preserve your ALDRICH HOUSE c the RIHS, including lectures, workshops, teacher training, walking tours, 110 Benevolent Street favorite filmed memories! and the tours of the John Brown House Museum. In a fortuitous part- Providence, Rhode Island 02906 186 Annual Meetings So Far, and c Home Movie Day Wish List nership rare among historical societies, the Goff Center educators work PH: 401.331.8575 Looking Forward to the 187th! FAX: 401.351.0127 directly with the experts of the collections staff to interpret the Society’s For the past two summers the RIHS Library has WEB: WWW.RIHS.ORG museums. On Wednesday, November 7, 2007, the RIHS celebrated our progress, achievements, hosted our state’s Home Movie Day, and we’re JOHN BROWN HOUSE MUSEUM strength, and momentum toward the future at our 2007 Annual Meeting. Mayor looking forward to doing it again. What do we The broad scope of the Center’s mission is thankfully matched by the equally 52 Power Street David Cicilline brought greetings from the City of Providence and presented the broad talents of its strong and cohesive team. Goff Center Director, Dr. Providence, Rhode Island 02906 need from you? We need your home mov- PH: 401.273.7507 Society with a Municipal Grant of Operating Support from the city. ies: 8mm, 16mm, VHS, whatever you’ve got. Morgan Grefe, has the distinct honor of working with Marie Parys, Teach- ing American History Program coordinator; Dalila Goulart, programs and LIBRARY We were honored to welcome as our speakers Dr. Patrick T. Conley and Judge Robert CLOSE-UP ON….. YOUR OLD MOVIES! tours coordinator; Barbara Barnes, special tours and conventions manager; 121 Hope Street G. Flanders, Jr., co-authors of The Rhode Island State Constitution: A Reference For more information please contact Karen Providence, Rhode Island 02906 and Dan Santos, education and tours manager at the John Brown House Guide, a legal and historical compendium of Rhode Island’s constitutional develop- Eberhart, Special Collections Curator, at 401.273.8107 Museum. Each brings a level of skill and enthusiasm without match to his ment. This book’s historical introduction is the most succinct yet comprehensive sur- 273-8107 x20, or [email protected], or visit MUSEUM OF WORK & CULTURE or her work, and together they keep the Goff Center at the center of the vey ever written of Rhode Island’s constitutional history. Members and guests were our website: www.rihs.org/grcollfilm.htm. 42 South Main Street c Society’s public mission. Woonsocket, Rhode Island 02895 treated to a lively and participatory discussion with Dr. Conley and Judge Flanders, 401.769-9675 with engaging conversation among RIHS trustees, members, and staff continuing at the festive reception after the program.

2 7 Spring/Summer 2008

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Providence, RI Permit No. 617 and 110 Benevolent Street Notes News Providence, RI 02906 for members and friends of the Rhode Island Historical Society

in this issue:

c Springtime for History Main Street 2

c Hear Ye, Hear ye 3

c History’s Mystery 4 History Makers 2008 c c c Don’t Miss a Chance to Make History Restored & Improved History Makers Gala, June 7th 2008 5

Join us for the Rhode Island Historical Society’s biennial honorees, including Dr. Robert Ballard, one of the world’s c fundraising Gala, History Makers, on Saturday, June 7, foremost oceanographers and the discoverer of The Titanic; 2008 at 6:00pm, and celebrate with us the contributions of The Honorable Bruce Selya, senior federal judge on U.S. Happenings individuals whose accomplishments have enhanced the Court of Appeals for the First Circuit; and Mr. Jim Tari- 6 quality of life in Rhode Island and who stand as inspiring cani, highly respected and award-winning investigative news role models for generations to come! reporter. Dr. Ballard will deliver the keynote address. Guests c Our 2008 History Makers honorees are individuals who, by will then enjoy dinner, music and dessert – how else to end direct and positive achievements, contributions, actions, and the perfect summer’s night? Education ideas have shaped the past and present of our state in the Proceeds benefit the Rhode Island Historical Society – 7 areas of arts and humanities, business, education, govern- please help us make and preserve history! ment, and sports. Honorary Chairpersons Mr. and Mrs. Tickets are available at a range of prices, starting at $150 per c Malcolm and Elizabeth Chace and Chairpersons Ms. Lisa person. For more information or to purchase tickets, please Churchville and Mr. Alex (Skip) Carlin graciously invite call 401-331-8575, ext. 33. History Makers 2008 you to join us at the Johnson and Wales Culinary Arts Mu- c seum for a historic evening! The Gala begins at 6:00 with a 8 cocktail reception, followed by the speaking program, when we will recognize the accomplishments of the evening’s c