RI Historical Society -- Upcoming Events

Thursday, April 17, 6:30 p.m.
Gallery Night
John Brown House Museum
52 Power Street, Providence
Free Admission, To R.S.V.P.: Dalila Goulart
(401) 331-8575 x45 or programs@rihs.org
 
If These Walls Could Talk… A Genial History of Rhode Island
The Gallery Night lectures continue tonight with a unique take on Rhode Island history. Join us in welcoming Paul F. Eno and Glenn Laxton, both longtime news reporters, to speak on their joint work, Rhode Island: A Genial History. The book takes an entertaining approach on highlighting the varied heroes and villains throughout our state’s history. The talk will particularly feature discussion on Nathanael Greene, the murder of Amasa Sprague, and the WWII Chopmist Hill Radio Intelligence Division (RID) station. Copies of the book will be on hand for sale after the lecture.

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Saturday, April 26
10:00 a.m. – 12 noon
Rhode Island Historical Society Library
121 Hope Street, Providence
Register by April 18!
To Register: (401) 273-8107 x12
For more information: Lee Teverow
lteverow@rihs.org
 
Family History for Families – A Beginner’s Look at Genealogy
If you have little or no experience with genealogy, this workshop is for you! Jonathan D. Galli, a professional genealogist with 30 years of international research and education experience, will teach you the methods and the sources for accurately tracing your family history in an interactive presentation using today's technology. Bring your children (ages 12 and up), parents, grandparents, adult siblings, younger and older relatives, and also bring whatever names, dates and other information you have to make the most of this session. Mr. Galli and RIHS librarians will be on hand to guide your research. Participants will also receive resource materials including blank charts to record what you already know as well as new discoveries. Free to RIHS members; non-members: $15 for two family members, $25 for 3-4.
 
 
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At the Providence Public Library …

For more information:
Tonia Mason, Marketing & Communications Director
401-455-8090
www.provlib.org <http://www.provlib.org>  or www.thelibraryonline.org <http://www.thelibraryonline.org/>
 
“Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World” traveling exhibition
Schedule of Events:

Imaginative “Inventions” Workshop
Saturday, April 19, 10:00 am – Providence Public Library, 150 Empire Street, 455-8025
Karen Lambe, Early Childhood Developer at the Providence Children’s Museum

Philip Dray – Meet the Author: Stealing God’s Thunder: Benjamin Franklin Lightening Rod and the Invention of America
Sunday, April 20, 2:00 pm – Providence Public Library, 150 Empire Street, 455-8000

Ellen R. Cohn – “Historian as Detective: Solving the Mysteries in Franklin’s Papers”
Sunday, April 27, 2:00 pm – Providence Public Library, 150 Empire Street, 455-8000

Cecilia Brauer – “Ben Franklin and the glass Armonica” – lecture and performance
Sunday, April 27, 3:30 pm – Providence Public Library, 150 Empire Street, 455-8000
Ms. Brauer will be on hand during the Exhibit (1 – 5 pm)

 
On Exhibit from April 15 - May 15

Miniature Books – (3rd Floor Exhibit Hall, outside Special Collections)
PPL will display its collection of miniature books (less than three inches tall), which include thumb Bibles, ancient Babylonian temple records, and tiny illustrated books for children.  
 
Lecture – On Saturday, April 26, a related illustrated lecture on the history of the miniature book will be given by Anne Bromer (Boston author and Antiquarian book dealer), whose title “Miniature Books: 4,000 Years of Tiny Treasures” recently won first prize at the New York Book Show for the best gift book of the year.