The Battle of Bunker Hill, which was primarily fought on nearby Breed’s Hill, was the first major head-to-head battle of the American Revolution. Today you can still visit the legendary site, which is now completely surrounded by the city of Charlestown. But despite the passage of time, historic Charlestown and Americans from near and far…
Month: January 2020
Providence Athenaeum
Despite the prevalence and normalcy of books in our society today, they have not always been accessible to the average American. In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was usually only the well-educated and wealthy that owned books (a young Abraham Lincoln walked miles to borrow a book); therefore, communities often rallied together to create…
Trinity Church (Newport, RI)
Perhaps the most iconic image of a colonial townscape is the church spire that towers above the rest. As a symbol of the religion that early American communities often centered around, these churches served an important role in all aspects of the people’s lives. Trinity Church in Newport, Rhode Island is the quintessential New England…
The Mystery of the Newport Tower
Newport, Rhode Island is known for its history- from its vast collection of colonial homes to its role in early America, it has no shortage of historic sites. One of the more mysterious and intriguing historic structures in town is the Newport Tower (also known as the Touro Tower and the Old Stone Mill). The…
The Battle of Groton Heights
The Battle of Groton Heights was the last major military engagement fought in the northern theater of the Revolutionary War and the largest battle fought in Connecticut. But what really makes it such an important battle to study is due to the egregious actions taken by the British and that their commander was none other…