Bristol Historical & Preservation Society

05/26/2026

Please join us May 28 at 5:30pm for the official opening of our newest exhibit, Bristol Immigration 1850-1940: A Complex and Beautiful Tapestry, offered in conjunction with Art Night Bristol Warren.

Bristol Immigration 1850-1940: A Complex and Beautiful Tapestry explores how immigration is a fundamental part of Bristol’s history and how our town has been profoundly shaped by immigrants. In this exhibit, we delve into which ethnic groups settled in Bristol and how they changed over time. We also discuss what they left behind in their home countries, how they travelled here, what their journey was like, and what they found in Bristol when they arrived. And, we showcase the personal stories, artifacts, art, and history of various families who settled here in Bristol.

The BHPS will be open between 5:30pm - 8:00pm For Art Night Bristol Warren. On this night only, we will expand the conversation with a pop-up display of objects connected to this history that are not normally on view. There will also be all-ages, hands-on activities exploring one of the fiber arts that was brought over to Bristol, weaving!

We hope to see you there!

Explore Bristol

Art Night - Gallery & Open Studio Tours of Bristol and Warren, RI

05/22/2026

Did you know that the British came to Bristol twice during the American Revolution?

Please join us on May 23 at 10am for a walking tour entitled Revolutionary Mayhem: The Burning of Bristol. This tour, led by BH&PS Historian Rei Battcher, takes an in-depth look at the second time the British attacked Bristol and burned many of its buildings.

Monday, May 25th, 1778, dawned much like any other early spring day. Though the birds were twittering in the treetops, there was an uneasy feeling in the air. The American Colonies had been at war for the past three years, fighting for independence from Britain. Little did anyone realize that this tranquil, sylvan scene was about to be interrupted by an invading regiment of British and Hessian soldiers, 500 strong, intending to burn Bristol to the ground.

The tour will meet at BH&PS Headquarters, 48 Court Street, Bristol. Tickets may be purchased at the start of the tour and cost $15 for general admission and $10 for BH&PS members. Visit our website bhpsri.org or email [email protected] for more information.

Explore Bristol
Bristol Rhode Island 250
Rhode Island 250

05/20/2026

We are looking for vendors for our upcoming 2026 Flea & Fair!

For more information & contract, call 401-829-9340 or email [email protected].

05/17/2026

Did you know that Bristol’s population of over 1,000 people was directly affected by the American Revolution?

We are delighted to host C.J. Wolanski, and his team of reenactors, on May 23 for a living history event entitled Ordered into the Public Service: Bristol 1776. Join us to learn more about the ways in which Bristol participated in the Revolutionary War and how this historic town felt during this major turning point in our history.

Between 9:00am and 3:00pm, historic reenactors will take over a section of the Bristol Town Common for demonstrations of 18th century militia drills as well as the everyday occupations in which Colonial Bristolians worked. There will also be presentations about different parts of Bristol’s Revolutionary-era history, including flax work demonstrations, a sword show-and-tell and more. You might also be able to meet some figures from Bristol’s past!

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the Bristol Historical & Preservation Society at BHPSri.org. You can also send an email to [email protected] or call 401-253-7223.

If you are looking to dig deeper into Bristol's very own Revolutionary War history then don’t miss the The Burning of Bristol on 1778 Walking Tour that will be running at 10:00 that same day given by BHPS’s Historian Rei Battcher.

Explore Bristol Bristol Rhode Island 250 Rhode Island 250

05/10/2026

Pop quiz: Hairy crab--fuzzy mollusk or a type of tea?

(Hint: it's a type of tea....and we'll have some to try at our Historic Tea....)

Explore Bristol Linden Place Rogers Free Library Bristol Rhode Island 250 Rhode Island 250

On May 13, please join us, and our co-partners Linden Place to get a taste of the American Revolution!

We are hosting a Revolutionary War-themed afternoon tea in the lovely Linden Place Ballroom. This tea’s menu will be inspired by the food that the colonists ate and drank, all provided by local bakeries. We will also be joined by special guest author Gerald Carbone, in informal conversation with BH&PS Director Catherine Zipf, about RI’s own local hero Nathanael Greene.

This program will start at 3:00 PM. Registration is required for the tea and costs $50 for General Admission and $40 for BH&PS and LPM members. Please register at https://shop.beyonk.com/c6bsv2z6/experiences/7hjv8mty.

If you are looking to dig deeper into this topic then join us that night at 6:00pm at the Rogers Free Library for a Lecture! The lecture will be free and open to the public. Participants should register at https://rogersfreelibrary.libcal.com/event/16338791.

This event is proudly co-sponsored by the Bristol 250 Commission and supported in part by a grant from the Rhode Island Semiquincentennial Commission (RI250).

Explore Bristol

Bristol Rhode Island 250

Rhode Island 250

05/09/2026

Ever had chocolate tea? Here's your opportunity!

Come on....you know you want to try it.....

Explore Bristol Linden PlaceRogers Free LibraryBristol Rhode Island 250Rhode Island 250

On May 13, please join us, and our co-partners Linden Place to get a taste of the American Revolution!

We are hosting a Revolutionary War-themed afternoon tea in the lovely Linden Place Ballroom. This tea’s menu will be inspired by the food that the colonists ate and drank, all provided by local bakeries. We will also be joined by special guest author Gerald Carbone, in informal conversation with BH&PS Director Catherine Zipf, about RI’s own local hero Nathanael Greene.

This program will start at 3:00 PM. Registration is required for the tea and costs $50 for General Admission and $40 for BH&PS and LPM members. Please register at https://shop.beyonk.com/c6bsv2z6/experiences/7hjv8mty.

If you are looking to dig deeper into this topic then join us that night at 6:00pm at the Rogers Free Library for a Lecture! The lecture will be free and open to the public. Participants should register at https://rogersfreelibrary.libcal.com/event/16338791.

This event is proudly co-sponsored by the Bristol 250 Commission and supported in part by a grant from the Rhode Island Semiquincentennial Commission (RI250).

Explore Bristol

Bristol Rhode Island 250

Rhode Island 250

05/03/2026

Join us on Saturday June 6 at 1pm at the Rogers Free Library for the last meeting of the BHPS’s Revolutionary War Book Club! We will explore the work of Gilbert Stuart, who was not just the premier portraitist of his time, but also helped document the likenesses of the Founding Fathers.

For this meeting, we will be reading Gilbert Stuart by Richard McLanathan. To some, Gilbert Stuart is merely the artist whose portrait of George Washington appeared in nearly every classroom around the country. He was, as this book beautifully displays, one of this country's finest artists. Beginning as a Colonial primitive, Stuart limited himself to portrait painting and achieved international fame before his death in 1828. McLanathan ably presents a clear, intelligent biography that is profusely illustrated with 51 color reproductions and 50 black-and-whites.

The meeting will be held in the Rogers Free Library at 525 Hope Street Bristol, RI 02809. This event is free and open to the public. For more information contact the BH&PS at [email protected] or the Rogers Free Library at [email protected]. Register at https://rogersfreelibrary.libcal.com/event/15956446.

Explore Bristol Bristol Rhode Island 250 Rhode Island 250

05/01/2026

On May 13, please join us, and our co-partners Linden Place to get a taste of the American Revolution!

We are hosting a Revolutionary War-themed afternoon tea in the lovely Linden Place Ballroom. This tea’s menu will be inspired by the food that the colonists ate and drank, all provided by local bakeries. We will also be joined by special guest author Gerald Carbone, in informal conversation with BH&PS Director Catherine Zipf, about RI’s own local hero Nathanael Greene.

This program will start at 3:00 PM. Registration is required for the tea and costs $50 for General Admission and $40 for BH&PS and LPM members. Please register at https://shop.beyonk.com/c6bsv2z6/experiences/7hjv8mty.

If you are looking to dig deeper into this topic then join us that night at 6:00pm at the Rogers Free Library for a Lecture! The lecture will be free and open to the public. Participants should register at https://rogersfreelibrary.libcal.com/event/16338791.

This event is proudly co-sponsored by the Bristol 250 Commission and supported in part by a grant from the Rhode Island Semiquincentennial Commission (RI250).

Explore Bristol

Bristol Rhode Island 250

Rhode Island 250

04/28/2026

On May 13, please join us, and our co-partners Linden Place and the Rogers Free Library, for two special programs exploring the history of the American Revolution.

First, at 3pm, the BH&PS and Linden Place are hosting a Revolutionary War-themed afternoon tea in the lovely Linden Place Ballroom. This tea’s menu will be inspired by the food that the colonists ate and drank, all provided by local bakeries. We will also be joined by special guest author Gerald Carbone, in informal conversation with BH&PS Director Catherine Zipf, about RI’s own local hero Nathanael Greene.

Then, at 6pm, the BH&PS and the Rogers Free Library will host a formal lecture by Gerald Carbone on Rhode Island's very own Revolutionary War superstar, Nathanael Greene. Nathanael Greene fought in more Revolutionary War battles than any other man, including George Washington. He played key roles in many of the iconic scenes of the Revolution, from crossing the Delaware on Christmas Day 1776 to the discovery of Benedict Arnold's perfidious treachery. Yet it was in the southern states, where his troops were outnumbered by 10-to-1, that General Greene made his mark as a true genius.

These programs will take place on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, with the tea starting at 3:00 PM at Linden Place Museum and the lecture starting at 6:00 PM at the Rogers Free Library. Participants can sign up for one or both of the events.

Registration is required for the tea and costs $50 for General Admission and $40 for BH&PS and LPM members. Please register at https://www.lindenplace.org/events.

The lecture will be free and open to the public. Participants should register at https://rogersfreelibrary.libcal.com/event/16338791.

For more information, visit the Bristol Historical & Preservation Society at BHPSri.org or Rogers Free Library website. You can also send an email to [email protected] or call 401-253-7223.

This event is proudly co-sponsored by the Bristol 250 Commission and supported in part by a grant from the Rhode Island Semiquincentennial Commission (RI250).

Bristol Rhode Island 250

Explore Bristol

Rhode Island 250

04/11/2026

How much do you know about the document that our country is founded on? The BH&PS’s Revolutionary War Book Club will tackle this question in a freewheeling conversion on Saturday May 2 at 1pm at the Rogers Free Library. The group’s discussion will focus on the book American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence, by Pauline Maier.

In American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence, Pauline Maier reveals the basic ideas behind the Declaration and tells the story of its creation. Portraying the Declaration as both the defining statement of our national identity and the moral standard by which we live as a nation, Maier describes the hard and tortuous struggle by which the document itself became sanctified.

Detective-like, Maier discloses the origins of key ideas and phrases in the Declaration to unravel the complex story of its drafting and of the group-editing process, which so angered Thomas Jefferson. Maier also reveals what happened to the Declaration after the signing and celebration, how it was largely forgotten and then revived to buttress political arguments of the nineteenth century, and, most importantly, how Abraham Lincoln ensured its persistence as a living force in American society. Finally, Maier shows how in the very act of venerating the Declaration as we do -- by holding it as sacrosanct, akin to holy writ -- we may actually be betraying its purpose and its power.

The meetings will be held in the Rogers Free Library at 525 Hope Street Bristol, RI 02809. This event is free and open to the public. Learn more and register at https://rogersfreelibrary.libcal.com/event/15956445. For more information contact the BH&PS at [email protected] or the Rogers Free Library at [email protected].

Explore Bristol
Bristol Rhode Island 250