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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260919T130000
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DTSTAMP:20260917T013438Z
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SUMMARY:Civil War Encampment Weekend Brings the 1860s to Life During Hopkinton’s 250th Celebration
DESCRIPTION:Civil War Encampment Weekend turns a corner of Crandall Field in Ashaway into an 1860s military camp on Saturday and Sunday\, September 19–20\, with living-history reenactors camping overnight\, period clothing\, music\, historical storytelling\, and the possibility of cannon fire. \nAnd this one is bigger than the encampment alone. \nThe weekend is part of Hopkinton’s 250th anniversary celebration\, so the town has built two days of activities around the living-history camp. There will be horse-drawn hayrides\, food trucks\, children’s activities\, historical displays\, and musicians roaming the grounds. Saturday adds an opening ceremony\, community dinner\, and fireworks. Sunday continues the encampment and concludes with an evening performance by The Swell Band. \nWith the exception of food and Saturday’s ticketed dinner\, the activities are free. \nThe setting also gives the Civil War component some genuine local context. Men from Hopkinton served in Rhode Island regiments during the war\, while Ashaway itself had connections to the abolition movement and Underground Railroad before the fighting began. \nThis Isn’t Just a Few Reenactors Stopping By for the Afternoon\nThe encampment is being established on the Route 216 side of Crandall Field\, and the reenactors are staying there throughout the weekend. \nThat means tents\, camp equipment and the routines of military life become part of the landscape rather than a brief scheduled demonstration. \nHopkinton’s organizers describe it as an opportunity to experience living history from the 1860s. \nThe encampment continues through both days and overnight Saturday\, giving visitors a look at the physical world occupied by Civil War soldiers away from the battlefield. \nFor soldiers in the 1860s\, battles occupied only a fraction of military service. \nMuch more time was spent in camp. \nSoldiers drilled\, cooked\, cleaned equipment\, wrote letters\, repaired clothing\, stood guard\, waited for orders and tried to make themselves comfortable in circumstances that frequently were anything but comfortable. \nLiving-history encampments attempt to reconstruct some of that less dramatic but essential part of the Civil War experience. \nAnd Yes\, There May Be a Cannon\nOrganizers say the reenactors plan to fire their cannon if conditions and permissions allow. \nThat’s an important qualification. \nThe cannon firing isn’t guaranteed. \nBut if it happens\, it should provide a rather convincing reminder that Civil War artillery is something very different when experienced physically instead of through a television speaker. \nEven demonstration charges without projectiles produce tremendous concussion and sound. \nThe encampment continues rain or shine\, according to Hopkinton’s official anniversary schedule. \nThe Weekend Begins With a Saturday Opening Ceremony\nThe formal celebration begins at 1 p.m. Saturday with an opening ceremony. \nLocal Boy Scouts will provide an honor guard\, accompanied by patriotic music and presentations. \nFrom there\, the field becomes a mixture of eras. \nThe Civil War encampment occupies one portion of the grounds\, while volunteers dressed in 19th-century clothing circulate through the celebration. \nA wandering fiddler will perform music from the 1700s and 1800s\, and a harpist will perform in the gazebo during meal periods. \nHistorical storytelling is planned for children and adults\, with an emphasis on Rhode Island and Hopkinton history. \nThere will also be drawing and art activities for younger visitors built around a “Happy Birthday America!” theme. \nHopkinton’s Civil War Connection Was Personal\nFor Hopkinton families in the 1860s\, the war wasn’t something happening exclusively in Virginia\, Tennessee or Georgia. \nLocal men left town to fight. \nRhode Island responded quickly after the Confederate bombardment of Fort Sumter in April 1861. President Abraham Lincoln initially called upon the state to supply 780 men\, and Rhode Island’s General Assembly moved rapidly to meet the request. \nWithin days\, Rhode Island troops were leaving for war. \nAmong the first was the 1st Rhode Island Detached Militia under Col. Ambrose E. Burnside\, who would become one of the state’s most famous Civil War figures. \nThe regiment included a company from nearby Westerly. \nOver the next four years\, Rhode Islanders served in infantry\, cavalry\, artillery and naval units across the war. \nHopkinton was part of that story. \nA Dozen Hopkinton Men Went Into the 4th Rhode Island Together\nOne particularly interesting local connection involves the 4th Rhode Island Infantry. \nHopkinton did not raise enough men to form its own company for the regiment. \nInstead\, about a dozen Hopkinton men were placed in Company D\, whose ranks otherwise came primarily from Glocester and Burrillville. \nHistorical accounts describe the Hopkinton recruits initially being regarded as the “South County Boys” by their northern Rhode Island comrades. \nEventually\, those distinctions faded as the men trained and fought together. \nThe 4th Rhode Island would see serious combat\, including the bloody fighting at Antietam and Fredericksburg. \nThat puts a local dimension on the rows of tents and military equipment visitors will see at Crandall Field. \nFor men from Hopkinton\, an encampment like this once wasn’t a historical display. \nIt was where they lived. \nTwo Hopkinton Soldiers Died One Day Apart\nThe story becomes even more personal with the 7th Rhode Island Infantry. \nTwo young men connected to Hopkinton\, George Washington Gardiner and Gideon Franklin Collins\, served in Company A. \nThey died in October 1862 while the regiment was encamped in Maryland. \nNot in battle. \nFrom disease. \nGardiner died first. Collins followed the next day\, on his 25th birthday\, after contracting typhoid fever. \nTheir deaths were among the regiment’s first. \nThe loss made such an impression that Col. Zenas Randall Bliss ordered the entire regiment to participate in a funeral ceremony for them. \nIt’s a useful piece of history to remember while walking through a recreated military camp. \nDisease killed enormous numbers of Civil War soldiers. Camp sanitation\, contaminated water\, infectious disease and primitive medical knowledge could be every bit as dangerous as combat. \nAshaway Had Another Connection to the Coming War\nThe story of Civil War-era Hopkinton actually begins before Fort Sumter. \nNot far from the weekend’s celebration stands the historic Jacob D. Babcock House in Ashaway. \nBabcock was an outspoken abolitionist. \nHe repeatedly ran for lieutenant governor on the Liberty and Free Soil tickets and became chairman of Rhode Island’s delegation to the first Republican National Convention in 1856. \nHistorical research also identifies his Ashaway home as a station on the Underground Railroad\, although the secretive nature of that work means precise documentation of the people assisted there has not survived. \nThere’s an especially striking Civil War connection to the house. \nOn the night of December 31\, 1862\, Hopkinton residents gathered there as the clock approached midnight. \nThey were waiting for January 1\, 1863. \nThe day Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation took effect. \nThat history happened only a short distance from where visitors will be walking among the encampment this weekend. \nRhode Island Sent Black Soldiers to War\, Too\nRhode Island’s Civil War history also includes the 14th Rhode Island Heavy Artillery (Colored). \nThe regiment was composed of Black enlisted soldiers commanded\, as was federal policy at the time\, by white officers. \nThe unit served in Louisiana and Texas. \nAlthough it did not experience major combat\, disease took an enormous toll. The Rhode Island Historical Society notes that it suffered the highest number of deaths of any Rhode Island unit during the war\, with nearly all resulting from disease. \nThe regiment was part of a much larger transformation after the Emancipation Proclamation opened the Union Army more broadly to Black enlistment. \nBy the end of the war\, roughly 200\,000 Black Americans had served in the Union Army and Navy. \nThat makes the local story of abolition in Ashaway and the military history being interpreted this weekend parts of the same larger history. \nHopkinton Is Using the Weekend to Tell More Than Military History\nThe anniversary committee isn’t limiting its historical interpretation to soldiers. \nThe Tomaquag Museum is expected to participate with an exhibit highlighting Indigenous culture and regional history. Organizers say the museum may also promote the effort to create a statue honoring Ellison “Tarzan” Brown\, the Narragansett runner from Westerly who twice won the Boston Marathon. \nThat matters in an anniversary celebration covering 250 years. \nHopkinton’s history didn’t begin with European settlement\, and it certainly can’t be understood solely through wars. \nThe weekend’s historical storytelling is intended to broaden the picture. \nHorse-Drawn Hayrides and Period Music Fill Out the Grounds\nNot everything requires a history lesson. \nHorse-drawn hayrides will operate around the grounds. \nA wandering fiddler will perform music dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. \nA harpist will provide music during meal periods. \nVolunteers in period clothing will circulate through the celebration. \nFood trucks and local vendors will be on site throughout the weekend. \nThree large tents are being erected to provide shelter and meal space\, an important detail because the celebration is scheduled to proceed rain or shine. \nThe town is also providing an accessible transportation option. Hopkinton’s handicapped shuttle van will run between Ashaway School and the Crandall House. \nSaturday Night Ends With Fireworks\nSaturday has the more elaborate evening schedule. \nA community pulled pork and chicken dinner begins at 5 p.m.\, with mac and cheese\, pork and beans\, cornbread and salad. \nUnlike the rest of the celebration\, the dinner isn’t free. \nTickets are $28 per person\, must be purchased in advance and will not be sold on site Saturday. \nPeople without dinner tickets aren’t being left hungry. Food trucks and other vendors will continue selling food. \nThen\, at 7:30 p.m.\, fireworks are scheduled over Crandall Field. \nSevere weather could push the fireworks to Sunday\, but the Civil War encampment itself continues regardless of the weather. \nSunday Keeps the Encampment Going\nThe Westerly Sun’s Sunday listing begins at 1 p.m.\, and Hopkinton’s official schedule likewise identifies 1 p.m. as Sunday’s start time for the anniversary activities. \nThe Civil War camp\, however\, is described by organizers as continuous throughout the weekend\, with reenactors remaining on site overnight. \nSunday again includes food trucks\, period music\, volunteers in 1800s clothing\, storytelling and children’s activities. \nThe weekend then makes a considerable chronological leap. \nAt 5:45 p.m. Sunday\, The Swell Band is scheduled to perform. \nThat’s less Civil War camp and more community birthday party. \nWhich is really what this entire weekend is. \nWhy Hopkinton Is Celebrating 250 Years in 2026\nHopkinton’s anniversary activities commemorate the town’s incorporation in 1757\, but the community has been using 2026 for a broad series of commemorative activities connected with local history and America’s 250th anniversary era. \nThe celebration isn’t confined to one weekend. \nEarlier activities took place in June\, while the Civil War Encampment Weekend occupies September 19–20. \nA Liberty Tree Planting Ceremony follows on September 26. \nThe Crandall House itself is part of Hopkinton history. \nThe historic property dates to around the turn of the 19th century\, and the Crandall House and surrounding field were acquired by the town in 1976\, following a gift from the Crandall family combined with federal funding. \nToday the property functions as a recreation and community center. \nFor one September weekend\, the field becomes something else. \nCanvas tents go up. \nPeriod clothes come out. \nA fiddler begins playing. \nAnd\, if everything goes according to plan\, somewhere on the Route 216 side of the field a cannon is going to make sure everyone knows the Civil War encampment has arrived. \nDetails\nEvent: Civil War Encampment Weekend\nDates: Saturday–Sunday\, September 19–20\, 2026\nSunday Time: Anniversary activities begin at 1 p.m.; the Civil War encampment is continuous through the weekend\nLocation: Crandall House and Crandall Field\nAddress: 188 Main Street\, Ashaway\, RI 02804\nEncampment Location: Route 216 side of Crandall Field\nAdmission: Free\nCivil War Encampment: Living-history camp operating throughout the weekend and overnight\nCannon: Firing is planned if conditions and permissions allow\nOther Activities: Historical storytelling\, children’s activities\, period-costumed volunteers\, wandering fiddler\, harp music\, horse-drawn hayrides\, historical displays\, food trucks and vendors\nSaturday Opening Ceremony: 1 p.m.\nSaturday Community Dinner: 5 p.m.; $28 advance ticket required\, no day-of dinner ticket sales\nSaturday Fireworks: 7:30 p.m.; may move to Sunday in severe weather\nSunday Music: The Swell Band at 5:45 p.m.\nWeather: Rain or shine; Civil War encampment continues regardless of weather\nAccessibility: Hopkinton’s handicapped shuttle van will transport visitors between Ashaway School and the Crandall House\nParking: Follow event signage and directions at the Crandall House/Field area \nMore information is available at the Event Website link below. \n  \n  \nFeatured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people\, location\, or activities shown.
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/civil-war-encampment-weekend-brings-the-1860s-to-life-during-hopkintons-250th-celebration/
LOCATION:Crandall House & Crandall Field\, 188 Main St A\, Ashaway\, RI\, 02804\, United States
CATEGORIES:Crandall House & Crandall Field
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Civil-War-Encampment-Weekend-Brings-the-1860s-to-Life-During-Hopkintons-250th-Celebration.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260617T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260617T190000
DTSTAMP:20260501T211804Z
CREATED:20260501T211804Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260501T211804Z
UID:10000169-1781719200-1781722800@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:250 Ignition: Philip Freneau’s War Poetry Reading
DESCRIPTION:It’s another 250 Ignition even in Westerly: There’s a different kind of way to connect with history… not through artifacts or displays\, but through the words that captured it as it was happening. The Philip Freneau War Poetry Reading at the Westerly Public Library brings that perspective to life\, centered around one of the earliest voices of the American Revolution. Often called the “Poet of the American Revolution\,” Freneau’s work reflects the tension\, pride\, and uncertainty of a country finding its footing. \nPresented by Robert Madison and a group of three readers\, the program weaves together selections of Freneau’s war poetry with the historical context surrounding it. Timed to the anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill and just days before the sailing of the Bon Homme Richard\, the reading ties directly into pivotal moments of the Revolutionary era\, giving the words added weight and relevance. \nSet in the quiet\, reflective space of the library\, the event offers a slower\, more thoughtful experience—one that lets the language and meaning settle in. It’s a chance to hear history not just told\, but felt\, through the voice of someone who lived it.
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/250-ignition-philip-freneaus-war-poetry-reading/
LOCATION:Waterford Public Library\, 49 Rope Ferry Road\, Waterford\, CT\, 06385\, United States
CATEGORIES:Westerly Library & Wilcox Park
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/250-Ignition-Pyro-Drone-Show.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260614T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260614T190000
DTSTAMP:20260501T211304Z
CREATED:20260501T211304Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260501T211304Z
UID:10000168-1781434800-1781463600@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:250 Ignition: Stars and Stripes: A Special Flag Day Display at Westerly Armory
DESCRIPTION:It’s another 250 Ignition event in Westerly\, where there’s something quietly powerful about seeing history laid out in front of you\, and the Stars and Stripes: A Special Flag Day Display at the Westerly Armory leans into that feeling. This exhibit brings together an impressive collection of American flags\, each representing a different moment\, meaning\, or chapter in the nation’s story. It’s not just about the stars and stripes you recognize… It’s about how that symbol has evolved and what it has stood for over time. \nAlongside the American flags\, the display includes a range of other significant flags tied to key events and ideas in U.S. history. Each piece adds another layer\, giving context to how identity\, conflict\, and unity have been expressed visually across generations. It’s the kind of exhibit that invites you to slow down a bit\, take a closer look\, and connect the dots between past and present. \nPresented by Westerly Armory Restoration\, Inc.\, the event is free to attend\, making it an easy addition to the day. Whether you’re stopping in out of curiosity or looking to spend some time with a piece of American history\, it offers a simple\, meaningful way to mark Flag Day.
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/250-ignition-stars-and-stripes-a-special-flag-day-display-at-westerly-armory/
LOCATION:Westerly Armory\, 41 Railroad Ave\, Westerly\, RI\, 02891\, United States
CATEGORIES:Westerly Armory
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/250-Ignition-Pyro-Drone-Show.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260516T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260516T120000
DTSTAMP:20260513T210506Z
CREATED:20260513T210506Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T210506Z
UID:10001547-1778925600-1778932800@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Charlestown 250th Anniversary Historical Bike Tour
DESCRIPTION:Charlestown 250th Anniversary Historical Bike Tour offers a slower\, more scenic way to experience one of Rhode Island’s quiet historic corners as cyclists wind through the rural landscape of Cross Mills on Saturday\, May 16. Hosted as part of local historical programming tied to America 250 celebrations\, the guided ride blends small-town history\, community storytelling\, and springtime scenery into an experience that feels both educational and relaxing. Riders will stop at several historic sites along the route while learning more about the village’s past and the role the area played in southern Rhode Island’s development. \nLocated within Charlestown\, Cross Mills still carries much of the atmosphere that defines old New England village life\, with historic buildings\, quiet roads\, and stretches of countryside that feel largely untouched by modern development. The route is designed less like a competitive cycling event and more like a moving historical tour\, giving participants time to take in the surroundings while hearing stories connected to the area’s architecture\, early industry\, and local landmarks. For riders interested in photography\, local history\, or simply spending a calm morning outdoors\, the event offers a very different pace from larger festivals and crowded shoreline attractions. \nThe ride begins at 10 a.m. on May 16 and is expected to attract both local residents and visitors interested in Rhode Island history and scenic cycling experiences. The vintage-inspired theme of the event pairs naturally with the setting itself\, where old stone walls\, church steeples\, and winding village roads create the kind of backdrop that feels almost frozen in time. Historical Bicycle Ride Through the Village of Cross Mills requires advance registration\, and participants can sign up by clicking the event link below. \nRules and Suggestions:\n• Participants should arrive early for check-in and preparation\n• Riders are encouraged to bring water and wear comfortable cycling attire\n• Helmets are strongly recommended for all participants\n• Guests should be prepared for changing spring weather conditions\n• The event focuses on historical touring and sightseeing rather than competitive riding\n• Respect for village roads\, historic sites\, and fellow riders is encouraged throughout the event\n• Registration is required before participating in the ride \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/charlestown-250th-anniversary-historical-bike-tour/
LOCATION:Charlestown Mini-Super\, 4071 Old Post Road\, Charlestown\, RI\, 02813\, United States
CATEGORIES:Charlestown Mini-Super
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Charlestown-250th-Anniversary-Historical-Bike-Tour.jpeg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260514T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260514T190000
DTSTAMP:20260501T210447Z
CREATED:20260501T210447Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260501T210447Z
UID:10000167-1778779800-1778785200@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:250 Ignition: Supper and Celebration of Our 50 States at Westerly Armory
DESCRIPTION:It’s 250 Ignition\, and today\, we take a light\, easygoing journey across the country without ever leaving Westerly at the Supper and Celebration of Our 50 States\, held at the Westerly Armory. The evening starts with a light supper\, setting the tone for a relaxed\, social atmosphere before the main event begins. It’s the kind of gathering where you settle in\, get comfortable\, and let the night unfold at its own pace. \nLeading the presentation is Roberta Mudge Humble\, known for her Rhode Island–focused books and games\, who brings a mix of insight and humor to a tour of all 50 states. Through a visually rich slide presentation\, she compares Rhode Island to the rest of the country\, highlighting what makes each place unique while keeping things light and engaging. It’s informative without feeling heavy\, with just enough personality to keep the room connected. \nAt $28\, the event blends food\, storytelling\, and a touch of humor into something that feels both educational and entertaining. Whether you’re a local history fan or just looking for something a little different to do for the evening\, it’s a simple\, well-paced way to explore the country from a new perspective.
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/250-ignition-supper-and-celebration-of-our-50-states-at-westerly-armory/
LOCATION:Westerly Armory\, 41 Railroad Ave\, Westerly\, RI\, 02891\, United States
CATEGORIES:Westerly Armory
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/250-Ignition-Pyro-Drone-Show.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260503T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260503T150000
DTSTAMP:20260501T205537Z
CREATED:20260501T205537Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260501T205537Z
UID:10000166-1777816800-1777820400@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:250 Ignition: The Conspiracy to Destroy the British Revenue Schooner Gaspee in 1772
DESCRIPTION:It’s RI’s 250 Ignition\, and there’s a moment in Rhode Island history that doesn’t get as much attention as it should… but once you hear the story\, it sticks. The Conspiracy to Destroy the British Revenue Schooner Gaspee in 1772 takes center stage at the Babcock-Smith House Museum\, diving into one of the boldest acts of defiance leading up to the American Revolution. Long before the Declaration of Independence\, a group of Rhode Islanders took matters into their own hands\, setting the stage for what resistance could look like. \nLeading the presentation is John Concannon\, historian for the Gaspee Days Committee\, who brings both depth and clarity to the story. Drawing from his work preserving this chapter of local history\, he walks through the events that led to the burning of the British schooner\, why it mattered\, and how it helped ignite a growing sense of rebellion in the colonies. It’s the kind of talk that connects the dots between a local incident and a much larger movement. \nSet inside one of Westerly’s most historic homes\, the evening feels grounded in place as much as it does in story. Admission is free for members and $5 for non-members\, making it an easy way to spend some time with history that’s closer—and more consequential—than most people realize.
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/250-ignition-the-conspiracy-to-destroy-the-british-revenue-schooner-gaspee-in-1772/
LOCATION:Babcock-Smith House Museum\, 124 Granite Granite Street\, Westerly\, RI\, 02891\, United States
CATEGORIES:Babcock-Smith House
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/250-Ignition-Pyro-Drone-Show.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260502T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260502T210000
DTSTAMP:20260501T202025Z
CREATED:20260501T202025Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260501T202025Z
UID:10000164-1777744800-1777755600@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:250 IGNITION 🔥 – PYRO DRONE SHOW – Celebrate RI Independence Day
DESCRIPTION:It’s 250 Ignition! Get ready for a night that lights up the sky—and a little bit of history with it. America 250 Westerly Pyro Drone Show turns downtown Westerly into a full-on street party\, with food trucks\, live music from Never Enuff\, and a crowd that’s there for one thing: the moment the sky comes alive. \nAnd when it does\, it’s not your typical fireworks show. More than 300 synchronized drones take over\, moving in precise formations that shift and evolve above you\, paired with real pyrotechnic bursts that add heat\, sound\, and scale. The show walks through key moments in American history—from the founding era to the Wright brothers’ first flight\, all the way to the Apollo 11 moon landing—turning the sky into a moving\, glowing timeline. \nIt’s the kind of event that builds as the night goes on. You wander\, grab something to eat\, catch the band\, and then everything slows just enough before the main event hits. Heads tilt up\, the crowd quiets for a second\, and then it all starts. Big\, bright\, and just a little unexpected… this is one of those nights that sticks with you long after it’s over.
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/250-ignition-%f0%9f%94%a5-pyro-drone-show-celebrate-ri-independence-day/
LOCATION:Westerly High School\, 23 Ward Ave\, Westerly\, RI\, 02891\, United States
CATEGORIES:Westerly High School
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/250-Ignition-Pyro-Drone-Show.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260502T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260502T170000
DTSTAMP:20260501T203546Z
CREATED:20260501T203546Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260501T203546Z
UID:10000165-1777730400-1777741200@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:250 Ignition: Open House at Westerly’s Home of Revolutionary History
DESCRIPTION:It’s 250 Ignition at the Babcock Smith House Museum. This event brings the past out of the textbooks and into a real space you can walk through. The 1734 home becomes a window into the era surrounding Rhode Island’s Renunciation Act—an early step toward independence that came before the Declaration itself. \nInside\, visitors can explore original documents\, including Joshua Babcock’s will and estate inventory\, along with letters from Benjamin Franklin that offer a rare\, personal glimpse into the time. Period furniture fills the rooms\, giving a sense of how life looked and felt in the 18th century\, while small details help connect the bigger story of a colony moving toward independence. \nIt’s not just for history buffs. The event is designed for all ages\, with games and toys for children\, adding a hands-on element that makes the experience feel accessible and alive. Whether you’re there to dive into the details or just curious to see a piece of Revolutionary-era life up close\, it’s an easy way to connect with a pivotal moment in American history right where it happened.
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/250-ignition-open-house-at-westerlys-home-of-revolutionary-history/
LOCATION:Babcock-Smith House Museum\, 124 Granite Granite Street\, Westerly\, RI\, 02891\, United States
CATEGORIES:Babcock-Smith House
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