A tour was led by Stephen Luce at three cemeteries in Lawton Valley! First visited was the stone cellar hole. This was the home for many of those interred nearby. From there, we will walk to the oldest cemetery. It is currently unrecorded and contains several unmarked gravestones. It was discussed why they are unmarked. […]
“Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul” by John M. Barry. Anne Wagner served as a thought-provoking moderator for the forum. Copies of the book are still available at the Portsmouth Free Public Library (www.portsmouthlibrary.org , 401-683-9457). Everyone who attended enjoyed this non-lecture forum with those who enjoyed reading the book.
Glen Farm: A Gentleman’s Farm Lecture by Town Historian Jim Garman Local Historian Jim Garman gave a presentation on one of the most historically-significant “Gentlemen’s Farms” in Portsmouth’s history. In the late 19th and early 20th century a number of the prominent citizens of Newport’s Gilded Age decided to establish farms “out in the country”
The Butts Hill Fort Restoration Committee is amassed volunteers to continue the removal of vegetation which currently obscures and prevents access to this Revolutionary War earthwork, the largest in southern New England.The cleanup was held on Sunday, 12 September. The area cleared contains vines (Poison Ivy), briars, bushes, and small trees. .
It was six months late, but the “Polar Dive” bonfire, normally scheduled for New Year’s Day was held at on Saturday Sept 4 at Island Park Beach in Portsmouth. John Vit, bonfire coordinator said, “we tried very hard to have the event on January 1, but, out of an abundance of caution to keep people
Over 50 members and guests attended a lecture on the Battle of RI by historian and author Christian McBurney. Watch the video below.
The Portsmouth Historical Society invites all its members and guests to the 5th Annual All Charity Day at Newport Polo on August 1st, 2021. The 6-chukker match began at 5pm, and featured home team Newport against “Foxtrot”. The match ended in a 10-10 tie with Newport pulling out a win in a sudden death overtime.
The PHS Fundraising “An Evening on Blue Bill Cove” on July 15, 2021 was a great success. Over 60 supporters joined for great music, delicious lobster rolls and a silent auction of Portsmouth Arts Guild watercolors.
Lecture by Christian McBurney June 17, 2021 Rhode Island’s contribution to World War II vastly exceeded its small size. Narragansett Bay was dotted by some of the country’s most important army forts and navy facilities. Attendees learned fascinating details about Aquidneck Island’s wartime role, shared by Christian McBurney, a popular historian, speaker, and co-author of
Book Club “Rhode Island’s Civil War Hospital, Life and Death a Portsmouth Grove, 1862-1865” by Frank L. Grzyb The book club reconvened with a discussion hosted by Portsmouth Historical Society corporate sponsor, Gulf Stream Bar & Grille, in the Melville Marina, where the Portsmouth Civil War hospital complex was located. Maps and artifacts from the
