The Varnum House Press Release

July 23, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mailing Address: 1776 Revolution St.

Visitor Address: 57 Peirce St.

East Greenwich, RI, 02818

401-884-1776 || house@varnumcontinentals.org

 

==== “Forgotten Founders: The Underwritten of the American Revolution” History Workshop to Focus on Hidden Histories and Lost Voices that Shaped Early America

 

(East Greenwich, RI) Discover the unsung and underwritten heroes of the American Revolution at this day-long learning event in East Greenwich, RI, on Saturday, October 4. African Americans, Indigenous people, women, and many others shaped the fight for independence in ways many do not appreciate or even know about. This event remedies some of that shortfall and will help attendees appreciate pivotal (but forgotten) people and forces in America's early history.

 

Appropriately, this lecture and the workshop series launches from the former home of a Rhode Islander who is one of the best examples of a “Forgotten Founder”, General James Mitchell Varnum, who commanded troops during the American Revolution, founded the 1st Rhode Island Regiment (or "Black Regiment”), and played an integral role in forming the rule of law in early America.

 

This event is hosted by the Varnum House Museum. All lectures and keynote addresses take place at St. Luke’s Church right next door. This day-long event will feature noted historians including (listed alphabetically):

 

-- DR. NORMAN DESMARAIS: “THE FRENCH IN NEWPORT”

Norman Desmarais is a professor emeritus at Providence College and an active reenactor. He is a member of Le Regiment Bourbannais, the 2nd Rhode Island Regiment, and the Brigade of the American Revolution. Mr. Desmarais is the author of Guide to the American Revolutionary War series (13 volumes), as well as America’s First Ally: France in the American Revolutionary War, as well as other books and numerous translations

 

-- ROBERT A. GEAKE: “WITNESS TO A FRAGILE FREEDOM: RESURRECTING THE LIFE OF SILAS ROYAL”

Robert A. Geake is a public historian and the author of fifteen books relating to Rhode Island and New England history, including From Slaves to Soldiers, the First Rhode Island Regiment in the Revolutionary War, New England Citizen Soldiers, and The Battle Off the Field in the American Revolution.

 

-- DR. SHIRLEY GREEN: “REVOLUTIONARY BLACKS: DISCOVERING THE FRANK BROTHERS”

Shirley Green received her PhD in history from Bowling Green State University in 2011. She is currently an Adjunct Professor of History at the University of Toledo, OH and Bowling Green State University. She is also the Director of the Toledo Police Museum. She served as a Toledo Police Officer for 26 years. Dr. Green will be speaking about her recent book Revolutionary Blacks: Discovering the Frank Brothers, Freeborn Men of Color, Soldiers of Independence.

 

-- KEITH STOKES: “THE WAR AT HOME: EMPOWERING AN AFRICAN BENEVOLENT SOCIETY MOVEMENT DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY ERA”

Keith Stokes is Rhode Island's Historian Laureate, consulting historian for the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society, and a former state advisor for the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He also serves on the RI250 Commission.

 

== VARNUM HOUSE MUSEUM NEIGHBORHOOD LAWN HANGOUT:

At the end of the day, the Varnum House Museum will host an open community event featuring:

 

- Varnum House BYOP (Bring Your Own Picnic): Neighborhood Lawn Hangout.

- FREE Varnum House Museum and Historic Preservation Garden tours.

- Military salute by the Varnum's Regiment and the Kentish Guard led by Varnum's Regiment Commander Joanne Breslin

 

== OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:

This ticketed event is open to the public and directly benefits the programming and preservation of the Varnum House Museum, the former East Greenwich manor home of General James Mitchell Varnum. The Varnum House Museum will be open for free tours during this event.

 

== PURCHASE TICKETS ON EVENTBRITE:

https://forgottenfounders.eventbrite.com

 

== UPCOMING ANNUAL LECTURE SERIES:

This is the first installment of a lecture series that brings to life these forgotten founders and heroes and tells the story of their impact on the America's birth. Future events in this series will include:

 

- Spell Hall (Nathanael Greene Homestead), Coventry, RI, in 2026

- Casey Farm, Saunderstown, RI, in August 2027

- Smith's Castle, North Kingstown, RI, in June 2028

 

== PROGRAM SPONSORS (alphabetical):

 

- Battle of Rhode Island Association

- Freshmaps.us

- Rhode Island 250th Commission