UPCOMING EVENTS:
We have no upcoming events scheduled. Stay tuned. We are working on interesting projects all the time!
The Ocean Road 10K is October 4th. Gray Matter Marketing puts on this amazing race, and they share the proceeds with the Narragansett Historical Society. Want to volunteer? We use volunteers Saturday for bib pickup and Sunday for race supp0rt. Contact Sue Bush at suhubu@gmail.com if interested in helping out! Visit oceanroad10k.com if interested in registering. But hurry! They are almost sold out!
PAST EVENTS:
‘Gansett Days – September 20, 2026 – Central Street Promenade
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Update: We’ve checked the forecast for Sunday, and while Mother Nature appears determined to give our umbrellas a workout, the tour is still on!
So dust off your wellies, locate that umbrella you’ve been ignoring since last year (err… last Sunday), and join us as planned.
If your scheduled time slot seems likely to feature its own personal rain cloud, feel free to reschedule in advance or show up at a less soggy hour.
Haven’t registered yet? Good news! We still have openings. Go ahead and register at the link below or stop by the registration table at Central and Boon Streets between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., and we’ll do our best to fit you in.
Remember: there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear. And possibly bad weather. But at the moment it looks like that’ll be after 4:00.
Join us for a promenade down Central Street where you will stop along the way to learn about area historic homes and life in turn-of-the century Narragansett. The walking tour is expected to last about an hour. You will stop outside of the properties, there will be no entrance to homes or properties. Homes included on the tour are:
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Idlewild
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Sonnenschein
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Sea Croft -
Linger Long
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Yellow Patch
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Sunnymead
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La Sata
and St. Peter’s by-the-Sea
Learn, too, about the history of St. Peter’s, including the stories behind the stained glass windows, and enjoy music by the South County Chamber Singers, led by music director Tony Romeo.
We request that you register in advance so the event can run as smoothly as possible. There is no fee to attend, however a donation of $10 per person to help the Narragansett Historical Society fulfill its mission is suggested.
Please register for a specific timeslot by clicking here.
This event is sponsored by:
With marketing support by:
Note that there is no fee to attend this event, but a $10 per person donation is suggested.
For questions/assistance in registering please email nhs1888@aol.com.
Urban Renewal in Narragansett – July 15 and July 22
Presented by Terry Fleming and Robert Muller, NHS Board Members
Note – this event was so well received that we hope to present it again in the future.
July 15 – Part One – 6:00 p.m. at Maury Loontjens Memorial Library, Narragansett
The first part of this presentation will cover the history of downtown Narragansett from 1900 to 1969. Major hurricanes in 1938 and 1954 flooded downtown and led to an effort by the Army Corps of Engineers to build storm protection. This was voted down by the residents in 1965. Ultimately a group of citizens led by Royal Little embarked on a plan to transform what some called an “old downtown” into a vibrant commercial district under the aegis of the Federal Urban Renewal Program. Plans were developed and town residents largely supported the effort, voting in favor of a bond to implement it in 1969. A video that was used to win approval for that 1969 vote will complete this lecture.
There is no fee to attend this event, but please register online at the Library’s Events Page.
The Historical Society would like to acknowledge Hope Wholey, with gratitude, who helped with this presentation.
July 22 – Part Two – 6:00 p.m. at Maury Loontjens Memorial Library, Narragansett
After receiving approval in 1970 from the Federal government, the town redevelopment agency and town council embarked on a multi-year urban renewal effort to implement the plans shown to voters. For many reasons the plans were not completed as envisioned. Despite the selection of a well-known developer, downtown was demolished and much of the land laid vacant for years before the project was completed.
There is no fee to attend this event, but please register online at the Library’s Events Page.
The Historical Society would like to acknowledge Hope Wholey, with gratitude, who helped with this presentation.
December 2 -Tim Cranston – Setting the Record Straight About the R.I. Colony (Rescheduled from September)
Setting the Record Straight – An honest reckoning of South County history requires a “warts and all” examination of our dealings with the indigenous population as well as a long hard look at Rhode Island’s complicated connections with the institution of slavery. Join Tim Cranston as he sets the record straight about these two aspects of our region’s complex story.
This event takes place at 6:00 p.m. at Maury Loontjens Library, Narragansett. Please register at the library’s event page for this no-cost event
November 18 – Brian Wallin – The Narragansett Railroad, 6:00 p.m.
Down to the Sea by Rail
The quirky little Narragansett Pier Railroad operated between Kingston and Narragansett Pier starting in 1876. The eight-and-a-half-mile short line was the brainchild of millionaire South County mill owner Rowland Gibson Hazard. The Hazard family started their freight and passenger line to serve the needs of their Peace Dale Mill. It soon became popular with vacationers who had discovered the joys of summers on the Pier. But all wasn’t roses for the Hazards. They learned that running a railroad wasn’t as easy as they had thought. Numerous period illustrations trace the rise and fall of the NPRR, which ended operations in the 1980’s. Today, the line’s right of way is one of the state’s most popular bike paths.
This event is being held in partnership with the Maury Loontjens Memorial Library. There is no fee to attend, but please register online at https://narlib.org/calendar/ or by calling 401-789-9507 option 4 so that we can be prepared.
October 29 – Brian Wallin – The Seaview Railroad, at 6:30 p.m.
All Aboard the Seaview: South County’s Trolley to the Beach
By the 1870’s, Narragansett Pier was firmly established as a summer resort. At first, it was a vacation spot for people of means, but by the turn of the century, it became a popular daytime destination for residents of Providence and other communities, thanks largely to the scenic and affordable Seaview Trolley Company that ran from East Greenwich down to the Pier. The line also carried freight and the products of local farmers. There were grandiose plans to run the line into Wakefield, but the line ran smack into the competing Narragansett Pier Railroad right in the middle of the town’s Main Street. The omnivorous New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, which had been assembling a transportation monopoly in New England also threw a curve ball at the Seaview, with a surprise alternative service. Sadly, tracked trolleys in Rhode Island fell victim to the arrival of the automobile age after World War One. By 1920, the Seaview would be bankrupt, its tracks torn up and sold for scrap. Today, its only visible remains are the power lines along the right of way, now under control of Rhode Islands Energy. This well-illustrated tale takes a ride on the Seaview, with some detours to share stories of the people and places that made the line so popular in its heyday.
Brian Wallin is a frequent lecturer to audiences across the state on Rhode Island history. He writes for specialty publications and is a contributing author to the on line journal of Rhode Island history, www.smallstatebighistory.com. Brian is the co-author of “World War Two Rhode Island”, a book about the war’s impact on the Ocean State, published by the History Press.
This event is being held in partnership with the Maury Loontjens Memorial Library. There is no fee to attend, but please register online at https://narlib.org/calendar/ or by calling 401-789-9507 option 4 so that we can be prepared.
Sunday, September 21 — Open House at the Windmill Building
As part of ‘Gansett Days…
Visit the iconic Windmill Building and learn about our Living History Project which aims to document the impact of the Town’s “ Urban Renewal Project” that took place from the mid 1960’s through the 1970’s.
140 Clarke Road
Sunday, Sept. 21
11 AM to 3PM
Aug. 27 – Tim Cranston – Agriculture and the Plantations in South County
Join historian Tim Cranston as he describes the life of prominent families that settled in South County after King Phillips War. These families developed large-scale plantations, raising dairy cattle, sheep, and the horses that came to be called famed Narragansett pacers. They also produced cheese and raised corn and other crops. Learn about the Triangle Trade that took place between Rhode Island, West Africa, and the Caribbean islands – supporting the Rhode Island agrarian economy. Learn, also, of the factors that came into play to wind down this large-plantation era.
Tim Cranston has worked closely over the years with groups such as Historic Wickford, the Newport Historical Society, the RI Black Heritage Society, North Kingstown Arts Council, and North Kingstown Free Library. Hi popular local history newspaper column has run in the NorthEast Independent for more than eleven years and has won two RI Press Association “Spirit of RI” Awards as well as two PreserveRI Education Awards. His work as a historian and preservation advocate through his non-profit corporation, Swamptown Enterprises, has garnered education and advocacy awards. The South County Tourism Council awarded Tim its South County ‘Starlight Award’ for his entertaining and educational walking tours and guided bus tours of the region. Tim has also been honored by the North Kingstown Arts Council as the inaugural recipient of the Skog Award.
July 30 – Robert Geake – History of the Narragansett Tribe
Join us as author and historian Robert A. Geake chronicles the history of the Narragansett from their early European encounters to the tribe’s return to sovereignty in the 20th Century. The Tribe and its members were considered warriors within the region. The Narragansett customarily offered protection to smaller tribes in the area. Certain Nipmuck bands, the Niantics, Wampanoag, and Manisseans all paid tribute to the Narragansett tribe. These tribes all resided in areas of Rhode Island at the time of the first European settlement around 1635. In 1636, Roger Williams acquired land use rights to Providence from the Narragansett Sachems. The colonists quickly came into contact with both the Narragansett and Niantic Sachems.
Robert A. Geake is a public historian and the author of fifteen books on Rhode Island and New England history, including From Slaves to Soldiers: The First Rhode Island Regiment in the American Revolution and A History of the Narragansett Tribe: Keepers of the Bay, Native and New Americans. As a public historian, Mr. Geake is a contributor to the blogs smallstatebighistory.com, rifootprints.com, and most recently, The Cocumscussoc Review on smithscastle.org. His essay on Rhode Island and The American Revolution is among those contributed to EnCompass, online tutorials for the Rhode Island Historical Society and the Rhode Island Department of Education.
This event takes place at 6:00 p.m. at Maury Loontjens Library, Narragansett. Please register at the library’s event page for this no-cost event.
June 25 – James Warren – Roger Williams, the Narragansetts and King Phillip’s War
James Warren, author of God, War, and Providence, will speak about King Philip’s War (1675 – 1676). This war was the bloodiest war in American history for the white population (in terms of the percentage of casualties) and it marked the end of the power and autonomy of the Narragansetts in Rhode Island. The war was started by Metacom, known as King Phillip, the chief sachem of the Wampanoags, whose lands included parts of Bristol County, with allied bands in what is now Tiverton (the Pocassets) and Little Compton (the Sakonnets). The war expanded into an alliance of several New England tribes against Puritan and Plymouth settlers. Warren has reviewed the scholarly modern articles and books on the topic, and he notes that many writers take the view of the Puritans and Pilgrims, as they left the most written documents behind. Warren’s approach differs, in that it more strongly considers the tribes’ viewpoint.
James A. Warren is a historian and foreign policy analyst. A regular contributor to The Daily Beast, he is the author of God, War, and Providence: The Epic Struggle of Roger Williams and the Narragansett Indians against the Puritans of New England; American Spartans: The US Marines: A Combat History from Iwo Jima to Iraq; and The Lions of Iwo Jima: The Story of Combat Team 28 and the Bloodiest Battle in Marine Corps History (with Major General Fred Haynes, USMC-RET), among other books. For many years, Warren was an acquisitions editor at Columbia University Press, and more recently a visiting scholar in American Studies at Brown University. He lives in Saunderstown, Rhode Island.
June 1, 2025 – Windmill Building Ribbon Cutting
A fabulous event, a ribbon cutting and open house to celebrate the renovation of our permanent location on Clarke Road, Narragansett, took place on June 1, 2025. Thank you to all who helped us celebrate, who contributed food, beverages, and talent, and helped make the windmill building a beautiful location.
October 9th 2024 – “Rhode Island’s Top Secret World War Two German POW Camps”
Brian Wallin presented the fascinating story of a group of anti-Nazi German POWs who were secretly brought to Rhode Island by the U.S. Army to create a re-education and aware-ness program about American democracy to be promulgated to the 360,000 German POWs held across the U.S. during the latter stages of World War II. The selection of Rhode Island, the programs and the people involved, and the ultimate impact of this little-known story (kept under tight wraps by military security during the war) includes numerous images never before publicized. The personal experiences of several POWs will also be presented.
This event was in partnership with Maury Loontjens Library. .
Brian L. Wallin is a graduate of Stonehill College and earned his master’s degree from American International College. He spent the first 20 years of his career as a radio and television news reporter, anchor and producer in New England also contributing to the NBC, CBS and ABC networks. He broadcast the America’s Cup yacht races between 1967 and 1983 for national and international news organizations. He has served as an adjunct professor at Providence College and Salve Regina University and is currently on the faculty of the URI Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
In 1984, he turned to health care management, holding senior leadership positions at health care systems in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. He retired in 2009 as Vice President of Kent Hospital in Warwick, RI.
He is a past president of the New England Society for Healthcare Communications and of the North Kingstown (RI) Rotary, and a Rotary Club International Paul Harris Fellow. He is a member of the Varnum Continentals historic militia in East Greenwich (RI), a docent at the United States Naval War College Museum, a member of the US Naval Institute and a consulting historian to the Narragansett Historical Society.
Brian is a frequent lecturer to audiences across the state on Rhode Island history. He writes for specialty publications and is a contributing author to the on line journal of Rhode Island history, www.smallstatebighistory.com. Brian is the co-author of “World War Two Rhode Island”, a book about the war’s impact on the Ocean State, published by the History Press.
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September 10 – “A Pictorial History of Ships in Rhode Island”
Astrid Drew, Archivist for the Steamship Historical Society of America, presented an overview of vessels that would have been seen in the bay from the earliest years of steamships up to more recent times. Astrid gave this presentation on Tuesday, September 10 at 6:00 p.m.
This talk was in partnership with the Maury Loontjens Memorial Library.
August 21 (Rescheduled from August 14th) – American Privateers and the British Slave Trade
Christian McBurney discussed a topic he delves into in his book called “Dark Voyage: An American Privateer’s War on Britain’s African Slave Trade.” At the start of the American War of Independence, Great Britain dominated 
overseas commerce and was the leading slave-trading nation in the world. In 1776, American privateers—privately owned ships granted commissions by the Continental Congress to attack and disrupt enemy trade—began to prey on British merchantmen. Some privateers captured British slave ships with African captives on board just before they arrived at their Caribbean Island destinations. The privateers were not altruistic in their actions, however. They wanted to advance the cause of independence from Britain through harming Britain’s economy, while also enriching themselves by selling the plunder they captured—including enslaved Africans.
Christian McBurney is a native Rhode Islander, who began writing about history while in high school. He is a graduate of South Kingstown High School and Brown University as well as NYU School of Law. He practices law in Maryland, but rekindled his love of history and has writeen several books. His primary area of interest is the Revolutionary War. 
Time: Wednesday, August 14, 6:00 p.m.
Location: Maury Loontjens Memorial Library, Narragansett
This talk was in partnership with the Maury Loontjens Memorial Library. There is no charge for this event, but please register on the library’s website or call 401.789.9507. Ext. 4.
July 10 – Lecture “You Will Find it Handy”: Rhode Island’s Listings in The Negro Traveler’s Green Book
The Negro Traverler’s Green Book enabled African-Americans to travel during the pre-Civil Rights era by offering information on safe places to eat, stay, and vacation. As the smallest state in the nation, Rhode Island had relatively few listings in African-American travel guides like The Green Book. Even so, their history speaks to the existence of a thriving African-American landscape of travel in Rhode Island during the twentieth century. In this talk, Catherine Zipf will identify and discuss what Rhode Island’s Green Book sites tell us about the pre-Civil Rights era in Rhode Island.
Time: Wednesday, July 10, 6:00 p.m.
Location: Maury Loontjens Memorial Library, Narragansett, RI
Award-winning architectural historian Catherine W. Zipf studies the underdogs (and the elites when t
hey were underdogs) of American architectural history. With an interest in race and gender, Zipf reconstructs lost or overlooked histories, providing a new and often surprising viewpoint on the traditional narrative. Recent projects include Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, a book that examines Wright’s career before the construction of Fallingwater, and The Architecture of the Negro Travelers’ Green Book, a public catalogue of Green Book sites.
Zipf serves as the Executive Director of The Bristol Historical & Preservation Society in Bristol, RI – a Colonial-era Norman Rockwell-esque town built by money generated from the slave trade. Her current projects examine Gilded Age women who built houses in Newport, RI, enslaved people who lived in Bristol, and Cuban sugar plantations owned by prominent Bristolians during the 19th century.
June 24 – Hurricane History of Southern Rhode Island
Photo Exhibit: June 6 – 30
Talk by Robert Muller: Monday, June 24th at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Maury Loontjens Memorial Library Narragansett, RI
Narragansett resident Robert Muller presented a talk on hurricane history.
The lecture focused on the historical record of hurricanes from 1635 until today as well as other recent studies of coastal sediments that have provided a longer perspective. The talk included weather data, reports of the events and personal accounts. The main emphasis was on the New England Hurricane of September 1938 and Hurricane Carol that struck on August 31 1954, the last major category 3 hurricane to affect this area.
A photo exhibit of the devastating impact from those storms was available during the library’s operating hours from June 6 – June 30th.
This talk and photo display were held in partnership with the Maury Loontjens Memorial Library.
When living outside of Boston in 1960, Hurricane Donna knocked out Robert Muller’s power and that began his fascination with hurricanes that he has continued to track since then.
After considering a career in meteorology he pursued a different path, working in the public finance industry as a leading research analyst, including a 41-year stint with JP Morgan. Following Hurricanes Andrew and Katrina, his knowledge of hurricanes intersected with his work life and he was involved in financing the State property insurance companies in Florida and Louisiana.
Robert holds a BA in history from Trinity College and an MPA from NYU in urban policy and economics. He and his wife became full-time residents of Narragansett this past September but have owned their Narragansett home since 2012.
Annual Meeting – Sunday April 21, 2024, 2:00 p.m. at The Towers, Narragansett
We held our 2023 Annual Meeting. Attendees were apprised of the progress we have made on the Windmill Building and other eforts, as well as our plans for the future. Our esteemed guest speaker was RI Secretary of State Gregg Amore. 
Mr. Amore brings to the office 27 years of teaching experience at East Providence High School where he taught Advanced Placement U.S. History and U.S. Civics and Government courses. He was recognized as teacher of the year by teh DAR in 2008. He also served as a state legislator for East Providence in 2012.
November 2nd — Talk on the Narragansett/South Kingstown Split
On November 2nd, 2023 Richard Vangermeersch gave a talk on the Narragansett/South Kingstown split. This event was part of the South Kingstown 300 Celbration and took place at 7:00 p.m. at the South Kingstown High School Auditorium. There was no charge for this event.
October 29th, Opera on The Great Swamp Massacre
URI Canonchet Concert featuring music and poetry by Geoffrey Gibbs, will be given Sunday, October 29th at 7:00 pm. The concert was held at the URI Fine Arts Center Concert Hall, 105 Upper College Road, Kingston RI.
See https://web.uri.edu/music/events/ for more information.
The featured musicians are Yohji Daquio (soprano), Ethan Bremner, (tenor), René de la Garzs (baritone), Alexey Shabalin (violin), Ceili O’Connor (guitar), and Philip Martorella (piano). The works featured are “Silcock’s Mohawk Songs”, “Three Portentous Songs” (dedicated to the victims of the fires and floods that have plagued the Earth this year), and three scenes from an opera “Canonchet” inspired by the research of the URI retired professor, Richard Vangermeersch. Canonchet was the 17th century renowned chief of the Narragansett Indigenous Nation.
Silcock is a Mohawk maiden who was Geoffrey Gibbs’s great-great-great grandmother. She lived at the time of the American revolution. The Narragansett Nation which had retreated from their village to a fort in the Great Swamp was massacred by Colonial troops in 1675. The fort was burned to the ground. The opera is about this event and the killing of Canonchet.
Geoffrey Gibbs and René de la Garza are both retired URI professors. Gibbs has put on URI concerts of his music almost every year since 1965. René de la Garza has been featured in three of Gibbs’ operas.
For more information on the concert, please contact Dr. Geoffrey Gibbs— geoffgibbs@uri.edu.
Boon Street Walking Tour — SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO MADE THIS TOUR A SUCCESS! ESPECIALLY OUR VOLUNTEERS, ARNOLD LUMBER for their sponsorship, Kaitlyn Pimental of RE/MAX and her marketing team for marketing and registration assistance, and The Contemporar Theater for their wonderful participation! And thank you to the public, for attending!
Enjoy learning about 7 historic buildings on this walking tour, as you are escorted by performers from the Contemporary Theater Group. The tour will
begin at the corner of Central and Boon Streets, and end with a sneak peak of the recently renovated train station. Visit the wonderful shops, restaurants and galleries on Boon Street, play “Gilded Age” games (1:00 – 3:00) and enjoy live music from a Barbershop Quartet (2:00 to 3:30) at Leroy Thompson Memorial Park.
There is no charge for this event, which is being held as part of ‘Gansett Days, but we would gratefully accept donations. We encourage pre-registration online to ensure the day goes smoothly! Please register at this link.
Buildings to be highlighted include:
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Idlewild
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Seafield Cottage
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The Presyterian Church
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The Telephone Building
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Papas General Store
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The Gladstone Spring House
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The Narragansett Pier Train Station
Thanks to Arnold Lumber for sponsoring this event!
Thanks also to RE/MAX for providing marketing support, and The Contemporary Theater for their participation.
Pirates and Privateers of “Rogue’s Island” – September 12, 6:00 p.m.
On Tuesday, September 12th at 6:00 p.m. at the Maury Loontjens Memorial Library historian Brian L. Wallin gave a talk on Pirates in Narragansett Bay.
Their ships slipped in and out of Newport harbor and Narragansett Bay in the 17th and 18th centuries. Privateers sailed with official government authorization to capture enemy merchant vessels, and shared their bounty with the government. But, some went into business for themselves and flew the black flag of piracy. Their often bloody cruises brought fortune to some and ended at the gallows for others. Because of its importance in colonial trade, Rhode Island left out the welcome mat for pirates and smugglers. Eventually, however, England reached its limit of patience. In 1723, 26 pirates, captured off Block Island, met the hangman in Newport. Before long, colonial America would rise up in revolt and privateers substituted for a colonial navy.
This lavishly illustrated lecture discounts many myths of piracy, and includes the stories of a number of Rhode Islanders who sailed far and wide seeking treasure. In fact, they may have left some behind in the Ocean State. Who knows? Dead men tell no tales, as the buccaneers would have said.
This event was co-sponsored by the Maury Loontjens Memorial Library and The Narragansett Historical Society.
The Coast Guard’s War on Rumrunners – August 8th, 6:00 p.m. CANCELLED
Unfortunately this event was cancelled due to illness. The same talk will be given on August 23rd at the South County Museum at 6:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, August 8th at 6 p.m. at the Clarke Cener (170 Clarke Road) author and historian Christian McBurney will give a talk about the Coast Guard’s efforts to prevent rum running in Narragansett Bay during prohibition. The Coast Guard vessels in Narragansett Bay and other Rhode Island waters fired thousands of machine gun and one-pound cannon rounds. . . at fellow-Americans, though ironically During World War I and World War II, army and navy fortifications and artillery pieces surrounded Narragansett Bay, but no shots were ever fired in anger.
The Coast Guard ws t
argeting crew members on rumrunners who, using speedy powerboats, had picked up illegal liquor from supply ships stationed at “Rum Row”—an area beyond the twelve-mile zone off the coast of southern New England and Long Island. The rumrunners, operating at night or in foggy conditions, on their return voyages would cruise up Narragansett Bay to assigned drop off points to unload their liquor. Because buying and selling alcohol was illegal under Prohibition laws then in force, the profits from a successful voyage could be enormous.
The Coast Guard became the lead federal government agency fighting the “Rum War” at sea. Coast Guard patrol boats insisted on inspecting vessels suspected of carrying illicit liquor, and if they did not stop after being signaled, they were targeted with live ammunition from large caliber weapons—machine guns or one-pounder cannon. Christian McBurney identified 29 shooting incidents in which the Coast Guard fired large caliber guns at rumrunners, striking the craft, in or near Rhode Island waters. In several incidents, hundreds of machine gun bullets were fired. It is a wonder that more men were not killed and wounded.
For more information, see the Small State Big History website.
There is no fee for this talk, but the Narragansett Historical Society would gratefully accept donations to offset our costs for hosting this event.
Clam Cake Land: The Origins and Enduring Popularity of a Local Summer “Sacrament” Explained
On July 13 at 6 p.m. at the Clarke Center (170 Clarke Road) Great Clam Cake and Fritter Guide author Carolyn Wyman gave a fun and interesting talk on the communal consumption of clam-flavored doughnut holes and how this treat was a near-sacred summer ritual in Rhode Island and almost nowhere else, and how Clam cakes’ origins as a filling first course at Victorian clambakes hold the key to this mystery.
Wyman’s talk, which based on her newly released book, dug deep into the history, culture and cuisine of this cultish regional specialty, which was first served at pavilions and amusement parks surrounding Narragansett Bay in the mid-to-late 1800s, including the still fondly-remembered Rocky Point and Crescent Park.
Carolyn presented stories behind the roadside restaurants and drive-ins that replaced the resorts as clam-cake sources when cars replaced steamboats and trolleys as Americans’ favorite mode of transportation, including the 103-year-old James Beard Award-winning Aunt Carrie’s, the 1930’s lunch-shack-turned-local institution that is George’s and the sea wall-situated former bait shop Monahan’s.
The Great Clam Cake and Fritter Guide (Globe Pequot, $21.95) is the definitive clam cake history, cookbook and travel guidebook, discussing artistic and event tributes to this food and containing more than 20 recipes and 50 restaurant profiles. Carolyn Wyman is the Rhode Island native author of seven previous food books, including The Great American Chocolate Chip Cookie Book, Better Than Homemade, Spam: A Biography, Jell-O: A Biography and The Great Philly Cheesesteak Book, about the favorite fatty food in her current hometown of Philadelphia. But she was weaned on clam cakes and stuffies and still has Del’s and coffee milk running through her veins.
A book signing followed the 45-minute illustrated talk.
Lecture on the South Kingstown/Narragansett Split – Nov. 10, 2:00 p.m. Peace Dale Library
Dr. Richard Vangermeersch spoke about the Narragansett/South Kingstown split.
The area was settled about 1675 and was named for the Narraganset Indians, who were defeated and dispersed during King Philip’s War (1675–76). Originally part of South Kingstown, it was set off as an enclave of its own in 1888 and was incorporated as a separate town in 1901.
This talk will take place at the Peace Dale Library on Thursday November 10, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.
This event was jointly sponsored by Peace Dale Library and the Narragansett Historical Society.
Cornerstone Playhouse Concert – Nice Work If You Can Get It
What a wonderful treat this was! A concert of 1930s musical theater songs was held on Thursday, October 6th at 7:30 pm at the Clarke Building, 170 Clarke Road, Narragansett. 
Our friends at the Narragansett Chamber of Commerce graciously organized this event as a fundraiser, as all profits will be donated to the Narragansett Historical Society’s Windmill Restoration Project Fund to “Finish It for Shirley,” who was a Cornerstone Playhouse fan and a lifelong supporter of the performing arts.
Peg Fredette did a fantastic job producing this event. The vocalists, Allison Lindsay and Daniel Kamalic were fantastic, and the pianist, Gerald Moshell, was not only an excellent musician but also walked us through the history of the 1930’s (when the windmill building was constructed) through musical storytelling.
Ocean Road 10K — October 2. Thank you to all how ran, and ESPECIALLY to all who volunteered! You were fantastic! We couldn’t do this without you!
September 11 — Dr. Richard Vangermeersh, Research and Writing Workshop
Dr. Richard Vanngermeersch held a research and writing workshop, providing tips and inspiration, and using “Women of Narragansett” to highlight his approach. The talk highlighted interesting tid bits and stories about women of/with ties to Narragansett. Sue Bush also participated in this presentation.
Dr. Richard Vangermeersch is Emeritus Professor of Accounting from URI. He has lived in Narragansett since 1971. His expertise is in the history of accounting. Since his 2004 retirement from URI he has refocused much of his efforts on researching local history, developing expertise in several topics and in several instances supporting novelists and other writers. In addition, he has been very involved with numerous organizations’ histories as they celebrated milestones and anniversaries.
August 14 — Dr. Joanne Pope Melish, Slavery in South County
Dr. Joanne Pope Melish presented information about slavery in South County, and described the regional economy’s reliance upon slavery and the “triangle trade.”
Joanne Pope Melish is Associate Professor of History Emerita at the University of Kentucky, where she also directed the American Studies Program and co-directed the Africana Studies Initiative for several years. Dr. Melish received her B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in American Civilization from Brown University. She is the author of Disowning Slavery: Gradual Emancipation and “Race” in New England, 1780-1860 (Cornell University Press, 1998) and many essays on race and slavery in the early republic and on slavery in public history and pedagogy. Joanne has directed or co-directed several NEH-funded residential summer teacher institutes and workshops on race and slavery in early New England and has served as a consultant to a number of historic sites. Currently she is a Visiting Scholar in the American Studies Department at Brown University.
July 10 — Bella Noka, The story of Tarzan Brown
On Sunday July 10th, we had the unique opportunity to learn about well-known local legend, “Tarzan” Ellison Myers Brown’s, and his accomplishments from several members of his family. The discussion was led by Tarzan’s niece, Bella Noka. Tarzan was born in Westerly, RI and was a member of the Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island. While he would become a stone mason, Tarzan is most known for being a two-time winner in the Boston Marathon, 1936 (2:33:40) and 1939 (2:27:30), as well as holding speed records at all seven checkpoints and setting a course record in 1939. In 1936 at age 22, he became the youngest winner of the Boston Marathon. He also ran the marathon in the 1936 Summer Olympics held in Berlin.
In the 1936 Boston Marathon, Tarzan sped out of the starting gate and had an early lead. But as the Newton hills approached, Johnny Kelley, the defending champion, caught up to Tarzan. Kelley patted Tarzan, and then passed Tarzan. From that point on, Tarzan would pass Kelley, Kelley would pass Tarzan, with Tarzan ultimately winning the race. “A newspaper reporter the next day called the final hill where Tarzan had broken Kelley’s spirit ‘Heartbreak Hill.’ The legend of Heartbreak Hill was born!” (The Legend of Tarzan Brown, Westerly Life, March 13, 2019.)
We enjoyed hearing stories from Tarzan Brown’s relatives, and hearing Native American drumming and singing. Thank you to all who participated and attended.
