Discover the unsung and underwritten heroes of the American Revolution at this day-long learning event in East Greenwich, RI, on Saturday, June 28.
African Americans, Indigenous people, women, and many others shaped the fight for independence in ways many do not appreciate or even know about. This event remedies some of that shortfall and will help attendees appreciate pivotal (but forgotten) people and forces in America's early history.
Appropriately, this lecture and the workshop series launches at the former home of a Rhode Islander who is one of the best examples of a “Forgotten Founder”, General James Mitchell Varnum, who commanded troops during the American Revolution, founded the 1st Rhode Island Regiment (or "Black Regiment”), and played an integral role in forming the rule of law in early America.
This event is hosted by the 
Varnum House Museum
. All lectures and keynote addresses take place at 
St. Luke’s Church
 right next door.
=== Our Speakers for the Day:
-- 
Dr. Norman Desmarais: “The French in Newport”
Norman Desmarais is a professor emeritus at Providence College and an active reenactor. He is a member of Le Regiment Bourbannais, the 2nd Rhode Island Regiment, and the Brigade of the American Revolution. Mr. Desmarais is the author of 
Guide to the American Revolutionary War
 series (13 volumes), as well as 
America’s First Ally: France in the American Revolutionary War
, as well as other books and numerous translations.
-- 
Robert A. Geake: “Witness to a Fragile Freedom: Resurrecting the Life of Silas Royal”
Robert A. Geake is a public historian and the author of fifteen books relating to Rhode Island and New England history, including 
From Slaves to Soldiers, the First Rhode Island Regiment in the Revolutionary War
, 
New England Citizen Soldiers
, and 
The Battle Off the Field in the American Revolution
.
-- 
Dr. Shirley Green: “Revolutionary Blacks: Discovering the Frank Brothers”
Shirley Green received her PhD in history from Bowling Green State University in 2011. She is currently an Adjunct Professor of History at the University of Toledo, OH and Bowling Green State University. She is also the Director of the Toledo Police Museum. She served as a Toledo Police Officer for 26 years. Dr. Green will be speaking about her recent book 
Revolutionary Blacks: Discovering the Frank Brothers, Freeborn Men of Color, Soldiers of Independence
.
-- 
Christian McBurney: “A Rhode Island Privateer Disrupts the British Slave Trade”
Christian McBurney, an independent historian from Kensington, MD, with deep roots in Rhode Island, has written ten books on the history of Rhode Island and the Revolutionary War, including recently: 
Dark Voyage: An American Privateer’s War on Britain’s African Slave Trade
 (Westholme, 2022). He is also president of the George Washington American Revolution Round Table of the District of Columbia and is publisher and chief editor of the online journal at Smallstatebighistory.com, devoted to Rhode Island history.
=== Open to the Public!
This ticketed event is open to the public and directly benefits the programming and preservation of the Varnum House Museum, the former East Greenwich manor home of General James Mitchell Varnum. The Varnum House Museum will be open for free tours during this event.
=== Varnum House Museum Neighborhood Lawn Hangout (end-of-day):
Note that at the end of the day, the 
Varnum House Museum
 will welcome event attendees and the East Greenwich community to its first annual "Varnum House Neighborhood Lawn Hangout". This year will feature:
-- Tree Planting Ceremony to launch “Preservation Garden” program (including military salute by the Varnum Continentals and the Kentish Guard led by Commander Joanne Breslin)
-- Varnum House BYOP (Bring Your Own Picnic)
-- Varnum House Museum tours (free)
=== Our Sponsors:
-- 
Battle of Rhode Island Association
-- 
Freshmaps.us
-- 
Rhode Island 250th Commission
Information Source: Varnum House Museum | eventbrite

Kent County

United States

East Greenwich

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Time:	Jun 28, 2025 (UTC-4) ENDED
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