Newport Historical Society

Raise a glass (or grog!) to Newport's revolutionary spirit?? America's 250th anniversary is fast approaching. Join the Newport Historical Society and kick off the celebrations in style at the Colony House for an evening of spirits, bites, and revolution-inspired revelry. For more information on this event and to purchase tickets visit, NewportHistory.org/events or use the link in our bio.

Upcoming Program ??? 100th Anniversary: Newport’s City Hall Fire of 1925 with NFD Fire Chief Humphrey J. “Harp” Donnelly IV On Thursday, March 20, 2025, nearly marking the 100th anniversary of the March 24, 1925, fire that destroyed the third floor of Newport City Hall and claimed the life of Fire Captain John Malloy. Fire Chief Humphrey J. "Harp" Donnelly IV will discuss the devastating fire, the damage to the heart of Newport's municipal government operations, and the events leading to the tragic death of the City's oldest active firefighter at the time. Thursday, March 20th, 2025 Richard I. Burnham Resource Center | 82 Touro Street, Newport Admission $15 – $20 per person | *Student Discounts now available $10 with valid student ID 6:30pm to 7:30pm; doors open at 5:30pm for a complimentary reception For more information and to purchase tickets visit, https://lnkd.in/eeWajdyY

??The deadline for the 2025 Buchanan Burnham Summer Scholars in Public History Program in Monday the 17th?? Join a team of students, scholars, and museum professionals studying and promoting the diverse and dynamic history of Newport, RI. Fellows have access to the Newport Historical Society’s (NHS) internationally important manuscript and artifact collections; engage with the public through leading tours and program participation; and put theory into practice by participating in the daily operations of NHS. 2025 Fellows are invited to propose a research project that focuses on Newport’s role in the American Revolution and early Federal period; the 1778 Franco-American alliance; Black history; or a project that engages with the NHS collections. Fellows will also have the opportunity to work on ongoing NHS collections cataloging and inventory initiatives. The application deadline is March 17, 2025. To learn more about the 2025 Buchanan Burnham Summer Scholars in Public History Program visit: https://lnkd.in/e58HcfxW

Get your applications in for the 2025 Buchanan Burnham Summer Scholars in Public History Program before the March 17th deadline??? Join a team of students, scholars, and museum professionals studying and promoting the diverse and dynamic history of Newport, RI. Fellows have access to the Newport Historical Society’s (NHS) internationally important manuscript and artifact collections; engage with the public through leading tours and program participation; and put theory into practice by participating in the daily operations of NHS. 2025 Fellows are invited to propose a research project that focuses on Newport’s role in the American Revolution and early Federal period; the 1778 Franco-American alliance; Black history; or a project that engages with the NHS collections. Fellows will also have the opportunity to work on ongoing NHS collections cataloging and inventory initiatives. The application deadline is March 17, 2025. To learn more about the 2025 Buchanan Burnham Summer Scholars in Public History Program visit: https://lnkd.in/e58HcfxW

Upcoming Program??? Join us on Thursday, March 13th for "Edward M. Bannister: The Artist and His Influences" One of the preeminent Black artists of the nineteenth century, Edward Mitchell Bannister led a multi-faceted life. Barbizon painter, photographer, abolitionist, transcendentalist, spiritualist, sailor: Bannister was all of these and more during his life of seventy-three years. A member of the Providence, Rhode Island art community, Bannister also spent time in Newport. Join Nancy Whipple Grinnell, Curator Emerita of the Newport Art Museum, for an illustrated talk as she explores Bannister’s evolution as an artist, his marriage to Christiana Carteaux and the challenges they faced as members of the Black middle class. Thursday, March 13th, 2025 Richard I. Burnham Resource Center | 82 Touro Street, Newport Admission $15 – $20 per person | *Student Discounts now available $10 with valid student ID 6:30pm to 7:30pm; doors open at 5:30pm for a complimentary reception Image of the "View in Paradise Valley" painting by Edward M. Bannister. 1895. 77.2. Gift of Mrs. Harriet Jackson Phelps. Collections of the Newport Historical Society.

The deadline to apply for the Buchanan Burnham Summer Scholars in Public History Program is March 17th! Join a team of students, scholars, and museum professionals studying and promoting the diverse and dynamic history of Newport, RI. Fellows have access to the Newport Historical Society’s (NHS) internationally important manuscript and artifact collections; engage with the public through leading tours and program participation; and put theory into practice by participating in the daily operations of NHS. 2025 Fellows are invited to propose a research project that focuses on Newport’s role in the American Revolution and early Federal period; the 1778 Franco-American alliance; Black history; or a project that engages with the NHS collections. Fellows will also have the opportunity to work on ongoing NHS collections cataloging and inventory initiatives. The application deadline is March 17, 2025. To learn more about the 2025 Buchanan Burnham Summer Scholars in Public History Program visit: https://lnkd.in/e58HcfxW

The March 17th deadline is quickly approaching! Applications are still being accepted for the 2025 Buchanan Burnham Summer Scholars in Public History Program?? Join a team of students, scholars, and museum professionals studying and promoting the diverse and dynamic history of Newport, RI. Fellows have access to the Newport Historical Society’s (NHS) internationally important manuscript and artifact collections; engage with the public through leading tours and program participation; and put theory into practice by participating in the daily operations of NHS. 2025 Fellows are invited to propose a research project that focuses on Newport’s role in the American Revolution and early Federal period; the 1778 Franco-American alliance; Black history; or a project that engages with the NHS collections. Fellows will also have the opportunity to work on ongoing NHS collections cataloging and inventory initiatives. The application deadline is March 17, 2025. To learn more about the 2025 Buchanan Burnham Summer Scholars in Public History Program visit: https://lnkd.in/e58HcfxW

Applications are being accepted for the 2025 Buchanan Burnham Summer Scholars in Public History Program?? Join a team of students, scholars, and museum professionals studying and promoting the diverse and dynamic history of Newport, RI. Fellows have access to the Newport Historical Society’s (NHS) internationally important manuscript and artifact collections; engage with the public through leading tours and program participation; and put theory into practice by participating in the daily operations of NHS. 2025 Fellows are invited to propose a research project that focuses on Newport’s role in the American Revolution and early Federal period; the 1778 Franco-American alliance; Black history; or a project that engages with the NHS collections. Fellows will also have the opportunity to work on ongoing NHS collections cataloging and inventory initiatives. The application deadline is March 17, 2025. To learn more about the 2025 Buchanan Burnham Summer Scholars in Public History Program visit: https://lnkd.in/e58HcfxW

Join us for guided exhibition tours of “Raise the Alarm: Newport’s Fire Department Through the Decades” all week long?? Led by a Newport Historical Society staff member, this tour takes you through the exhibition’s fascinating narratives and artifacts, exploring the history of firefighting in Newport. Learn about the evolution of fire safety, major fires in Newport, and the tools of the trade from past to present. Guests will have the opportunity to ask one-on-one questions and engage in lively discussions about the exhibit. This tour lasts approximately 60 mins. Guided exhibition tours take place Monday the 17th to Friday the 21st at 2pm at the Richard I. Burnham Resource Center located at 82 Touro Street, Newport. On Tuesday, February 18, all guided exhibition tours with be offered free of charge to all guests in memory of NHS tour guide Pat Drislane. This tour is $10 per person or free for guests wearing a Newport Winter Festival button or wristband. Photo credit ?? Michael Derr Photography

Completed in 1900, Newport City Hall became a cornerstone of civic life but faced a devastating fire in 1925. The blaze, which tragically claimed the life of Captain John Malloy, led to a transformative redesign by architect William Cornell Appleton. Today, its colonial-inspired features and iconic cupola stand as a testament to Newport’s resilience. Learn more about Newport's historic fires on our new walking tour, "Raise the Alarm: Newport's Fire History." This tour is offered at 2 pm today and next Saturday, February 22. Get your ticket now at newporthistorytours.org! Check out these before and after images of the Newport City Hall fire! Image 1: Newport City Hall before the 1925 fire. 1900-1925. P9782. Collections of the Newport Historical Society. Image 2: Newport City Hall after the 1925 fire. March 24, 1925. Gift of Walter C. Shea. Collections of the Newport Historical Society.