Located on the RIC campus, the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society is dedicated to the preservation of artifacts — books, art, pamphlets, letters, images, and any other historical material — relating to the history of the Black community in Rhode Island, and the telling of the story of the descendants of the African Diaspora. There …
(2.2) The Congdon Street Baptist Church will be hosting a screening of the PBS film Becoming Frederick Douglass: Discover how a man born into slavery became one the nation’s most influential leaders. Presented by Stages of Freedom in conjunction with Rhode Island PBS, the video screenings will be followed by a discussion: Lee Blake of …
The Soldiers and Sailors Monument in downtown Providence memorializes the 1,727 Rhode Islanders who lost their lives in the Civil War. This includes the 14th Rhode Island Heavy Artillery (Colored); a plaque added later also acknowledges the famous 1st Rhode Island Regiment who gained their freedom by fighting against the British during the Revolution. Surrounding …
(2.12) The Providence Archives and the Providence City Council invite the public to the opening of a new exhibit with a celebration of black history. This year’s exhibit will include a new interactive experience: Tell Your History. (Facebook event.) “ Pillars on Race: The Story of Race in Providence From 1935 to Today” which takes …
Nancy Elizabeth Prophet was the first female African American graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design. Born in 1890, Prophet graduated in 1918. Think of the resolve and determination it took just to apply. This compelling work, Negro Head, was executed some time before 1927 and is now on display at the RISD Museum. …
“In Memory of three respectable Black persons, Phillis, Rose, & Fanny Chace who served faithfully in the home of Samuel Chace Esq.” So reads the headstone marking the grave of the Chace sisters whose faithful service was also mandatory. A walkway to the cemetery of St. John’s Cathedral can be accessed alongside the house at …
The one-block street formerly known as Magee is now officially called Bannister Street, renamed to honor the 19th-century African-American couple, artist Edward Bannister and entrepreneur Christiana Bannister who made Providence their home. William Fairchild Magee was a slave trader and opium merchant. Following the dedication ceremony last October, the representative from the Department of Public …
A series of free events are planned for this weekend to celebrate world-renowned singer, Sissieretta Jones, culminating in the placing of a headstone at her previously unmarked grave. The exhibit “Sissieretta Jones: the Greatest Singer of Her Race” opens tonight at Stages of Freedom, the museum/gift shop co-founded by historian, and former Democratic state representative, …
America’s First Black Diva — Sissieretta Jones At 150 Read More »
A new exhibit “Do Lord Remember Me — The Black Church in Rhode Island” is up at Stages of Freedom, the non-profit museum and shop right across from the Turk’s Head on Westminster. The exhibit, chronicling 300 years of the state’s black religious history through images and text, is the result of over two years …
Acclaimed 19th century opera singer Sissieretta Jones, née Joyner, moved with her family to Providence at the age of 8. She lived here on Weaton Street from 1876 until her death in 1933, although it is clear she was traveling the world for much of that time. Jones was sometimes known as The Black Patti. …
(4.16) First an update on this formerly endangered property from the Providence Preservation Society (PPS). The iconic 1810 Cathedral of St. John, designed by Providence Architect John Holden Greene, was included on the PPS Most Endangered Properties List for seven years due to increasing maintenance costs associated with the building. In late 2014, the Episcopal …
Doing business at the state house often involves standing around and waiting. Fortunately one is surrounded by interesting statuary like this arresting bust outside the senate chamber. The last name caught my attention. Abolitionist, entrepreneur, and patron of the arts, Christiana Bannister was inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame in 2003. She …
This evening Brown’s Department of Africana Studies continues its post-election week run of free public events with contemporary Black intellectuals and artists. Shola Lynch, a young filmmaker who in 2004 completed a documentary on the legendary Shirley Chisholm, will be joined by Ray Watson of the Mt. Hope Neighborhood Association and renowned professor of Africana …