2026 Speaker Series

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In partnership with the Town of North Kingstown Semiquincentennial Committee, the 2026 Speaker Series is a monthly event hosted by HistWick featuring notable and knowledgeable historians, artists, authors, and cultural icons delivering educational, engaging and enlightening lectures or tours on significant historical topics, documents, moments, people and/or themes related to the Revolutionary War and our municipality's history and culture as our nation marks it's 250th anniversary since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

As our 2026 Speaker Series presentations are confirmed, details will be shared below:

January 15:

"Rhode Island in the American Revolution" with Rob Doane, Curator, and Maria Vazquez, Collections Manager, Naval War College (NWC) Museum

  • Hosted by HistWick in Council Chambers at Town Hall (80 Boston Neck Rd) @ 6:30 PM

Join us for an enlightening and informative presentation to learn about Rhode Island’s crucial role in protesting British rule, even before the outbreak of the American Revolution. This early resistance fostered a spirit of rebellion that helped sustain the Revolutionary cause throughout the war. The Narragansett Bay region witnessed fighting on land and sea that altered the course of the war and ensured a protracted conflict.

Presented by Rob Doane, Curator, Naval War College Museum, and Maria Vazquez, Collections Manager; this presentation will feature artifacts from several British frigates scuttled in the waters surrounding Aquidneck Island in 1778.


Please note: Seating is limited to the room's posted capacity; the event will be livestreamed under Special Events on the Town of North Kingstown website here, and available indefinitely for future viewing on YouTube (link to be posted when available).

April 16:

Legacies of Independence: Rhode Island's Revolutionary Veterans of Color in the Early Republic

with Ben Remillard, Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of History and Classics at Providence College

Hosted by HistWick at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall (80 Boston Neck Rd, 2nd floor)

Remillard will present on the personal lives of the Revolution's Northeastern Patriots of color. His lecture will examine the reasons why Black and Native American men supported the Revolutionary cause, how their military service benefitted their families and communities, as well as what their lives were like in the decades after the war as veterans and community activists.

Please note: Seating is limited to the room's posted capacity; the event will be livestreamed under Special Events on the Town of North Kingstown website here, and available indefinitely for future viewing on YouTube (link to be posted when available).


May 21:

Revolutionary Friendships: Nathaniel Greene, George Washington, and the Fight for Independence

with Dr. William Leeman (Professor of History and Director, Pell Honors Program/Salve Regina University)

Hosted by HistWick at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall (80 Boston Neck Rd, 2nd floor)

Over the course of the Revolutionary War, Rhode Island's Nathaniel Greene formed an unlikely friendship with General George Washington. Despite Greene's lack of military experience and Washington's distaste for New Englanders, the two men forged a close bond based on mutual admiration, respect, and devotion to the cause of American independence. When Washington needed an officer he could trust to take on a difficult assignment, he inevitably turned to Greene to get the job done. This friendship between the Rhode Islander and the Virginian would prove to be a critical factor in America's victory over the British.

Please note: Seating is limited to the room's posted capacity; the event will be livestreamed under Special Events on the Town of North Kingstown website here, and available indefinitely for future viewing on YouTube (link to be posted when available).

June 4:

Underlying Causes of the Rebellion

Beyond "No Taxation Without Representation" with Christian McBurney

  • Hosted by HistWick at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall (80 Boston Neck Rd, 2nd floor)

McBurney will discuss how the decision to rebel impacted women and people of color, along with other topics relevant and applicable to the North Kingstown community's commemoration of the nation's 250th anniversary.

Please note: Seating is limited to the room's posted capacity; the event will be livestreamed under Special Events on the Town of North Kingstown website here, and available indefinitely for future viewing on YouTube (link to be posted when available).


August 13:

"Global Trade Post-Revolution" with Dr. Catherine DeCesare, Asst. Professor/Dept. of History, University of Rhode Island

  • Hosted by HistWick at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall (80 Boston Neck Rd, 2nd floor)

More information will be available soon.


Nov110526_NovemberSlavestoSoldiersember 5:

From Slaves to Soldiers with Robert A. Geake

The 1st Rhode Island Regiment in the American Revolution

Featuring "Brave Men as Ever Fought" by artist Don Troiani, on display in Council Chambers, while on loan from Rhode Island State Archives

  • Hosted by HistWick at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall (80 Boston Neck Rd, 2nd floor)

Join prolific author and renown Rhode Island historian, Robert A. Geake, for an informative and enlightening presentation on the story of the first continental Army unit composed of African American and Native American enlisted men, known as the “Black Regiment.” 

Geake tells the important story of these men as well as the historical constructs which led to the formation of what became the first integrated battalion in our nation’s history, their acts of heroism and misfortune, and of the legacy left by the men who enlisted to earn their freedom in the Revolutionary War.

Please note: Seating is limited to the room's posted capacity; the event will be livestreamed under Special Events on the Town of North Kingstown website here, and available indefinitely for future viewing on YouTube (link to be posted when available).