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RIHS’s “What Cheer Wednesdays” (for the infinitely curious)
Go behind the scenes to get a unique look at a day in the life of a museum. Each week “What Cheer Wednesdays” features a new theme, and these tour titles are sure to cue curiosity in kids and adults alike: “Third Floor Door Tour” and “Weird & Creepy Rhode Island,” as well as “Setting the 18th-Century Table” and “Morgan’s Favorites.”
On some days, there are two tours available for each event – so be sure to check the listing!
What Cheer Wednesdays upcoming schedule:
- September 14: What’s in the Basement at John Brown House Museum? (1:30pm & 3pm)
- September 21: Posters Celebrating the Opening of the National Museum of African American Heritage & Culture
- September 28: Morgan’s Favorites Tour — RIHS Executive Director takes guests through her favorite places and spaces in the John Brown House Museum. Tour at 2:30pm
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October 5: Character Research & Development for Oct. 22‘s What Cheer Day
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October 12: Dressing & UnDressing
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October 19: What Cheer Day Preview
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October 26: Weird & Creepy Rhode Island
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November 2: The Third Floor Doors Tour (1:30pm & 3pm)
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November 9: What’s in the Basement at John Brown House? (1:30pm & 3pm)
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November 16: The Mill Project at MoWC
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November 23: Setting the Table
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November 30: After Dark & Shutting Down the House
Free admission to John Brown House and the Museum of Work & Culture (with pop-up programming, too!) In addition, you’ll be able to learn more about the Museum of Work & Culture’s fascinating Mill Project in Woonsocket.
American Girl Weavers at Slater Mill
Explore the Mill on a specially themed tour hosted in partnership with the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council’s American Girl Weekend. Learn about the lives and livelihoods of their favorite American Girls, Samantha and Felicity, at the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution, Weave your own friendship bracelet and belt on mini-looms.
Admission: $35, price includes one child and one accompanying adult.
RIHS’s “What Cheer Wednesdays” (for the infinitely curious)
Go behind the scenes to get a unique look at a day in the life of a museum. Each week “What Cheer Wednesdays” features a new theme, and these tour titles are sure to cue curiosity in kids and adults alike: “Third Floor Door Tour” and “Weird & Creepy Rhode Island,” as well as “Setting the 18th-Century Table” and “Morgan’s Favorites.”
On September 21st, What Cheer Wednesdays is participating in a national and international celebration of the National Museum of African American Heritage & Culture, featuring a set of unique and highly informative posters about the museum and the collection.
The official opening of the Smithsonian Museum is on September 24th, but if you cannot get to D.C. this What Cheer Wednesday installment is a perfect way to get a taste of the NMAAHC’s sprawling collections.
What Cheer Wednesdays upcoming schedule:
- September 28: Morgan’s Favorites Tour — RIHS Executive Director takes guests through her favorite places and spaces in the John Brown House Museum. Tour at 2:30pm
-
October 5: Character Research & Development for Oct. 22‘s What Cheer Day
-
October 12: Dressing & UnDressing
-
October 19: What Cheer Day Preview
-
October 26: Weird & Creepy Rhode Island
-
November 2: The Third Floor Doors Tour (1:30pm & 3pm)
-
November 9: What’s in the Basement at John Brown House? (1:30pm & 3pm)
-
November 16: The Mill Project at MoWC
-
November 23: Setting the Table
-
November 30: After Dark & Shutting Down the House
Free admission to John Brown House and the Museum of Work & Culture (with pop-up programming, too!) In addition, you’ll be able to learn more about the Museum of Work & Culture’s fascinating Mill Project in Woonsocket.
Paine House Heritage Day
Coventry is a secret pocket of Rhode Island history, and the past gets a lively jolt at Paine House Museum’s 7th Annual Heritage Day with music performances by the Providence Brigade Band and demonstrations by the Rhode Island Spinners Guild. Take a free tour of Paine house (ca. 1691), try out candle dipping, weaving, butter making, pumpkin painting and other crafts. Have your kids try the “fast-food of olden times,” with old-fashioned hot dogs, johnny cakes, popcorn, Birch beer, sarsaparilla, and cider.
Smith’s Castle’s Harvest Festival
Where four centuries of Rhode Island history are preserved and interpreted―there is also much celebration! At this two-day festival, enjoy fall’s bounty, play games, dance and enjoy music from folk-rock duo Duck & Run on Saturday, and piano virtuoso and entertainer Jack Picard on Sunday. “Selfies” can be taken in the colonial photo booth, Uncle Sam will be in full regalia, and Smith Castle’s famous homemade apple crisp will be the cherry on top.
Admission: $8 adults; $4 children age 6 to 12; under 6 free; $25 family cap; discount for active military and seniors.
And One for the Pot: Tea & Treason
Do your children have a penchant for acting out their imaginations? Check out “And One for the Pot: Tea & Treason” taking place at the South Kingstown Land Trust Barn where costumed interpreters take you back to the past as they portray upper-class residents in Rhode Island during the 1770s. Explore tea brewing, tea etiquette and the place of tea in colonial America, along with the influence of politics on this popular practice.
Admission: $10 per person; $2 discount for South County History Center, Newport Historical Society and Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum members. Tickets must be purchased in advance, and admission includes a tea reception following the program. Click to purchase tickets.
Hosted by The South County History Center, in partnership with the Newport Historical Society and the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum.
Fossil Frenzy Weekend
From the Coal Age to the Ice Age, the museum’s collection of fossil specimens brings the past to life. Come join in the festivities and see fossilized plants and animals that once roamed the Earth. Family activities are a perfect way to get your hands into history! Go on a special fossil quest, tackle a fossil puzzle, or make your own trilobite mask.
Cost: Free w/ museum admission
And One for the Pot: Tea & Treason
Do your children have a penchant for acting out their imaginations? Check out “And One for the Pot: Tea & Treason” where costumed interpreters take you back to the past as they portray upper-class residents in Rhode Island during the 1770s. Taking place at the Newport Historical Society’s Resource Center, visitors to this event can explore tea brewing, tea etiquette and the place of tea in colonial America, along with the influence of politics on this popular practice.
This program ties into the Newport Historical Society’s Newport Eats history of food initiative along with the South County History Center’s 2016-2017 series Taverns, Teapots and Temperance: South County in a Cup. Hosted in partnership between The South County History Center, the Newport Historical Society and the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum.
Admission: $5 per person; $1 for Newport Historical Society members along with South County History Center and Boston Tea Party Ships Museum members. Please RSVP to: 401-841-8770.
Traditional New England SCARES!
Experience spooky tales and trails around the campfire at historic Coggeshall Farm Museum. Discover the origins of hair-raising stories that have endured for 200 years, like “The Demon in Exeter” (a dramatic retelling of the Mercy Lena Brown story) or the chilling tale of the headless horseman!
Appropriate for ages 8 and older.
For more information or to preregister, contact e.langham@coggeshallfarm.org.
The Great Pumpkin Hunt
Blithewold is offering a unique way to pick out your pumpkin this year! Participate in a search for hidden pumpkins around the estate grounds, and then take one home to carve! After the hunt, enjoy music and hot cider; order some snacks from on-site food trucks, and listen to (and join in on!) a discussion about constellations in the night sky during a special “star program” around a bonfire.
Registration required. Member $15; includes pumpkin. Non-member $18; includes pumpkin. Participant $8; does not include pumpkin.