The Irish in Rhode Island, and America overall, has had a long standing history. Irish-American roots grow deep throughout our country's history, and have established themselves, in stories, traditions and displays. This reading list will examine Irish-Americans and their impact on both local and national history. From the Kennedys to Paddy Wilson, we can see the importance of Irish Americans on our culture today.
Ernest Hemingway was one of the most prolific, and at times controversial, writers of the early twentieth century. His works often focused on such themes as love, loss, and war; topics that stimulated thought and deep feelings from readers. This reading list will hopefully evoke those emotions again, sampling a taste of Hemingway's body of fiction as well as outside perspectives of his life.
Newport is best known as a summer resort destination and for its collection of ornate Gilded Age homes. Historians agree that the Gilded Age began at the end of the American Civil War when do to the construction of railroads and industrialization, the U.S. economy expanded considerably, allowing not only for these lavish summer "cottages" to be built but also for their owners to entertain in a grand scale.
Eric Arthur Blair, known to readers as George Orwell, is widely known for his thought provoking titles such as Animal Farm, and 1984. Who was George Orwell, and what inspired him to write the stories that have inspired thought and questioning for many generations? This Reading List will sample some of Orwell's books, his personal writings, and provide an in-depth look into the life of the sometimes controversial author. Also, the writings and history of some contemporaries of George Orwell will be available to stimulate the mind as we peer into the world of dystopian stories.
On Saturday, June 10, The Redwood Library with host our Fourth Annual History Seminar titled Colonial Classics: The Redwood Library & American Architecture in the 18th Century. This year will see experts in colonial architecture discuss a wide range of topics that will include the Redwood Library as ‘Temple of the American Enlightenment,’ the anxiety of influence in Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, Giambattista Piranesi’s heroic vision of ancient Rome as an inspiration for American architecture, and the contingent influences of British public architecture on the built environment of colonial American cities. Even if you are unable to attend the event be sure to come into the Redwood and check out some of the fantastic works on architecture and preservation below on our display table and in the Pell-Chafee Architecture collection.