RIHS Launches Yearlong Programming Theme on Ocean State Foodways
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“Relishing Rhode Island” Offers Wide-Ranging Menu of Events and Partnerships
(PROVIDENCE, R.I.) ??? Each year, the Rhode Island Historical Society features a new programming theme, allowing the organization to explore a compelling aspect of the state???s history through its events, lectures, partnerships, and initiatives. In 2016, it was fashion. The year before, design. Today, the RIHS officially announced 2017???s theme: “Relishing Rhode Island,” serving up plenty of events to go around, with dozens plated already and many more on the burner.
From baking to brewing, maple syrup to neighborhood markets, herb hikes to ice harvesting, the RIHS will have something for every foodie, epicurean, and gourmand across the state. Events, including walking tours and educational talks, will be added and updated at http://www.rihs.org/relishing-rhode-island-2017/.
The coming year will also include RIHS collaborations with the Smithsonian Institution, Tomaquag Museum, Rhode Island Black Heritage Society, RI Latino Arts, Historic New England, Gracie’s, Coggeshall Farm, as well as the statewide marketing initiative A La Rhody, alongside the Providence Public Library, Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, Providence Department of Arts, Culture + Tourism, Discover Newport, and Rhode Island Commerce Corporation.
???Food brings people together, and, fittingly, our ambitious programming throughout 2017 will feature partnerships with organizations both in the history and heritage sector and beyond. With our efforts to preserve family recipes and cookbooks, we hope to be able to learn what foods mean ???home??? to our fellow Rhode Islanders,??? said RIHS Executive Director C. Morgan Grefe.
???Relishing Rhode Island gives us more opportunities to share the RIHS???s collections and other resources, while leveraging our status as a Smithsonian Affiliate to welcome eminent speakers like Susan Evans for free events,??? she added.
Here???s a sampling of what Relishing Rhode Island will have on offer in 2017:
- The Journey of the Johnny Cake With Loren Spears | March 14, 5:30pm, Aldrich House
Spears, Executive Director of the Tomaquag Museum, will give a talk and demonstration of the Rhode Island ???Johnny Cake,??? originally called a ???Journey Cake??? by indigenous tribes. Come hear about how it has evolved, and get a taste of how it???s made. Free program; registration online here.
- Goff Lecture Series: Susan Evans on “Food at the Nation’s History Museum” | April 19, 6pm, Aldrich House
Evans, Director of Smithsonian Food History Programs at the National Museum of American History, will talk about the institution???s food activities, collections, and how food works as an educational tool for connecting audiences with history. Free; registration online here.
Learn, Save, & Write Family Food History Workshop With Photo Detective Maureen Taylor | May 8 & 22, 6:30pm, Providence Public Library
Learn how to write your own family food memoir in this two-part workshop series. Presented by the RIHS and PPL???s ???Diggin??? Your Roots??? genealogy workshop series. Free; registration online here.
- The African American Church Potluck Tradition | June 22, 5:30pm, Aldrich House
The Rhode Island Black Heritage Society and the RIHS present a program exploring the history, traditions, and foodways of the African American church. Learn about traditional dishes, and how food helped to tie together faith communities during difficult and joyous times. Free; registration online here.
- The Chimi Trucks of Broad Street Walking Tour | Aug. 23, 5:30pm, Broad Street location TBA
RI Latino Arts and the RIHS team up to present a walk exploring the history of Latino ???chimi??? trucks on Broad Street, back before food trucks became trendy. Max. 15 people. Tickets: $15, including food samples; pre-registration online here.
For updates, more events, and additional information, visit RIHS.org.
About the Rhode Island Historical Society
Founded in 1822, the RIHS is the fourth-oldest historical society in the United States and is Rhode Island???s largest and oldest historical organization, as well as its only Smithsonian Affiliate. In Providence, the RIHS owns and operates the John Brown House Museum, a designated National Historic Landmark, built in 1788; the Aldrich House, built in 1822 and used for administration and public programs; and the Mary Elizabeth Robinson Research Center, where archival, book and image collections are housed. In Woonsocket, the RIHS manages the Museum of Work and Culture, a community museum examining the industrial history of northern Rhode Island and of the workers and settlers, especially French-Canadians, who made it one of the state???s most distinctive areas.